I start with saying that I have seen this movie collectively three different times and every time I do, I walk away feeling something different. Being a big fan of Game of Thrones, I was really excited to see Richard Madden (Rob to GOT fans) in his first big screen role. He did not disappoint either. Lily James as Cinderella brings beauty to the character in a way that is almost indescribable. Cate Blanchette is the evil stepmother and the ever daring Helen Bonham Carter is the enchanting Fairy Godmother. Rounding out the cast are Stellan Saskgard, Ben Chaplin, and Haley Atwell.
As I watched the movie I remember the feelings of a little girl, wanting to dress up in the iridescent blue ballgown, hoping that if I wished really hard my fairy godmother would arrive and transform my cats into horses and my ottoman in the living room into a magical coach. I wanted to dance the night away, be able to talk to my pets, and sing as effortlessly as breathing; to have the knight in shining armor come and rescue me from what I thought at a young age was a mundane life and take me to his castle in the sky, making me his princess.
This time around, now in my 30's, I see this story with what I'd like to call more mature eyes instead of being the girl who wanted to be whisked off her feet and who wished for fairly godmothers. The tone of the film was “Be Kind and Have Courage.” I watched as a young girl lost her mother, her father, and the only home that she ever had, but yet still saw and extended kindness to everyone that she met. To even the smallest of mice and the most evil of stepmothers, Cinderella offered grace. No matter how many things came between her and her dreams she kept believing. I believe that's what makes me love this story even more now than when I was little. It reminds me to keep believing, to be kind, to have courage; to not be afraid to fail even though it's scary; to make the jump knowing you'll eventually land.
Then there is of course the love story. In a time where sex is all the rage, this movie skips all of the gratuitous sex and still produces a love story for all the ages. There is one kiss and it's at the end of the film. Even with the absence of physical scenes you feel the passion between them. From their first meeting in the woods to the minute that the slipper fits her foot, you feel their love.
A great film for the family, the romantic, the adventure seeker, and the dreamer in all of us. Always remember “To be kind, and have courage” and you'll be just fine.
