3.5 stars. Rated PG, for mild dramatic tension
By Derrick Bang • Originally published in The Davis Enterprise, 3.13.15
Doubts notwithstanding — and I
had plenty — Disney has done a respectable job, with this live-action update of
its own 1950 animated classic.
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| Ella (Lily James, left), surprised to learn that invitations to the upcoming palace ball will be extended to every maiden in the realm, wonders how she might escape her stepmother's clutches, in order to attend. For their part, stepsisters Drisella (Sophie McShera, center) and Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) immediately vow to win the prince's hand in marriage. |
Kenneth Branagh’s presence in the
director’s chair certainly helps; it stands to reason that the Irish
Renaissance man who brought Shakespearean regality to 2011’s Thor could grant
(let’s be candid) a fairy-tale trifle with the same degree of dramatic heft.
In lesser hands, Thor could
have sunk beneath the weight of its laughably pompous dialogue and overwrought
premise ... but no, Branagh gave it class. He does the same here, with this fresh
interpretation of Cinderella.
To be sure, he had able
assistance, starting with a solid script from writer/director Chris Weitz,
still best known for his 2002 adaptation of Nick Hornby’s About a Boy. Weitz’s take on Cinderella is a little bit Grimm (as in Brothers) and a
little bit Disney, with a soupçon of modern feminist sparkle. The resulting
narrative is appropriately cheerful, poignant, bleak and swooningly romantic,
as needs must.
With respect to the latter, wait
until you catch Cinderella’s arrival at the Prince’s ball: Rarely has a character
been afforded so splendid an entrance, and rarely has a director milked a scene
with such unapologetic oomph.
Which brings us to this film’s
young star: Lily James, who makes a flawless Cinderella. She’s eminently
believable as an unassuming country lass, albeit one who’s well-read and
possesses the perceptive wit of a Jane Austen heroine. At the same time, James
“cleans up” marvelously, when a bit of Fairy Godmothering transforms ash-begrimed
Cinder-Ella into a breathtaking vision who transfixes all in her presence.
James has a natural ingenuousness
that Branagh employs to full effect: the sort of sweet sincerity that Christopher
Reeve brought to Superman, when he spoke of fighting for “truth, justice and
the American way.” Nobody laughed when Reeve delivered that iconic line; well,
nobody laughs here either, when James’ Ella — recalling a promise made years
back, to her mother — resolutely insists on facing the world with “courage ...
and kindness.”
Pronounced just like that, with a
slight pause between the two attributes. Again, the sort of statement that, if
delivered even the slightest bit wrong, would prompt snickers from our oh-so-sophisticated
21st century audiences.
Trust me: No laughter erupted
during Monday evening’s preview screening (at least, not at that particular
moment). Indeed, the audience lapped it up. It would appear that Disney’s
current run of “princess power” has yet to subside.
