Ever After: A 90s Retelling of the Classic Cinderella Story
Ever After: A Cinderella Story is a 1998 American romantic fantasy film directed by Andy Tennant and written by Andy Tennant and Susannah Grant. It is a loose adaptation of the Cinderella fairy tale, set in 16th-century France. The film stars Drew Barrymore as Danielle, a young woman who is forced to work as a servant by her stepmother and stepsisters after her father dies. She meets Prince Henry (Dougray Scott) and they fall in love, but their relationship is threatened by her stepmother’s machinations.
The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $98 million worldwide against a budget of $26 million. It was praised for its performances, screenplay, costumes, and direction. Barrymore was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for her performance. During the mid to late 1990’s, Barrymore re-established her image and career after her earlier wild child, “Little Girl Lost” era, Ever After being part of a string of blockbusters she would star in during the late 90s and through the 2000’s
Synopsis
Set against the backdrop of 16th-century France, “Ever After: A Cinderella Story” is a charming and romantic retelling of the classic Cinderella fairytale. In this adaptation, Cinderella is reimagined as a headstrong and independent young woman named Danielle (played by Drew Barrymore).
The film opens with an old woman telling the story of “the little cinder girl” to a group of children. Whilst telling the tale, she reveals to them that the story is true, and that it happened long ago in France.
As a child, Danielle is orphaned and taken in by her cruel stepmother, Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent (Anjelica Huston), who treats her more like a servant than a member of the family. Despite her oppressive living conditions, Danielle retains a positive outlook on life and finds solace in books and education. One day, while Danielle is out in the forest, she encounters a handsome prince named Henry (Dougray Scott), who is fleeing from an arranged marriage to a Spanish princess. The two are immediately drawn to each other, but Danielle realizes that Henry is a prince and becomes hesitant to reveal her true identity.
Following her return home, Danielle finds her life becoming increasingly complicated. The Baroness arranges to marry her off to a wealthy nobleman, but Danielle develops feelings for Henry, who is still searching for the mystery woman he met in the woods. In a bid to find each other again, Henry throws a lavish ball and invites all the eligible maidens of the kingdom, including Danielle.
Knowing that her stepfamily will not allow her to attend, Danielle enlists the help of her friends and creates a stunning gown of her own design. She attends the ball and captures Henry’s heart once more. However, tragedy strikes when the Baroness discovers Danielle’s true identity and seeks to ruin her chances with the prince.
Despite the obstacles in their path, Danielle and Henry are determined to be together, and their love ultimately prevails. With the help of a few kind-hearted characters and a lot of determination, Danielle is able to overcome the odds and live happily ever after with the man she loves.
Ever After: A Cinderella Story Review
Ever After is a charming and heartwarming film that is sure to please fans of the Cinderella fairy tale. The film has a strong cast, led by Drew Barrymore as Danielle. Barrymore gives a delightful performance as the kind and determined young woman who overcomes all obstacles to find her happily ever after.
The film is also beautifully made, with stunning costumes and sets. The film’s director, Andy Tennant, does a wonderful job of bringing the story to life.
Ever After is a timeless classic that will be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.
If you are a fan of Cinderella, then you will definitely enjoy Ever After. The film is a faithful adaptation of the fairy tale, with a few modern twists. Ever After is also a beautifully made movie with stunning costumes and sets.
If you are reaching back into 1990s cinema for a heartwarming and romantic film to watch, then we can highly recommend Ever After.
The Movie Viewed From a Modern Day Perspective
The portrayal of Danielle in the movie “Ever After: A Cinderella Story” conflicts with modern feminist ideas in some ways. For example, Danielle’s decision to stay with Henry and become a princess could be seen as conforming to traditional gender and societal roles, rather than breaking them. Additionally, there are some stereotypical gender norms present in the film, such as the idea that women are confined to the domestic realm and must rely on men to rescue them. However, at the time of the film’s release in 1998, Danielle was seen as a strong and positive role model for young girls, and the movie was certainly in step with the “Girl Power” message of the late 90s. The fact that she is portrayed as intelligent, resourceful, and independent is a significant departure from the classic Disney version of Cinderella, where the emphasis is placed on her physical beauty rather than her personality or intelligence. Overall, while “Ever After: A Cinderella Story” may fall short of modern feminist ideals, it was a progressive and empowering film for its time, and it remains a beloved classic to this day.
Ever After: A Cinderella Story Cast
“Ever After: A Cinderella Story” boasts an all-star cast that brings the classic fairytale to life in a new and refreshing way. Acclaimed actress and Academy Award winner, Anjelica Huston, plays the wicked stepmother, Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, while Drew Barrymore takes on the lead role of Danielle, the kind-hearted and independent-minded Cinderella figure. Other notable members of the cast include Dougray Scott as the dashing Prince Henry, Jeanne Moreau as the story’s narrator, and Timothy West as Danielle’s kind-hearted father.