CLASSIC MOVIE CORNER: 'Ever After' (1998)

Drew Barrymore
in 'Ever After'“Ever After” (1998)

MPAA Rating: PG-13
Directed by: Andy Tennant
Starring: Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott, Jeroen Krabbé

The Gist: A revisionist take on the classic Cinderella tale.

The Story: In 16th Century France, Danielle is a precocious tomboy raised by a single dad (Krabbé). Her father is a wealthy widower until he marries the beautiful but icy Baroness Rodmilla (Huston). Danielle gains two bratty new step-sisters, but loses her father to a sudden heart attack. Ten years later, Rodmilla has Danielle working and sleeping side-by-side with the household servants, while spoiling her biological daughters. Undefeated by cruel fate, Danielle still has a big heart. She poses as a rich countess to buy a fellow servant’s husband out of slavery. While in disguise, she catches the eye of Prince Henry (Scott), and the two embark on a forbidden love.

The Review: “Ever After” is a fairy tale grounded in realism. It dispenses with the fairy godmother who magically gives Cinderella everything she needs to woo her man. In this story, Cinderella is strong, smart and sassy. She wins Prince Henry’s heart through her beauty, zest for life and intelligence. She challenges him to reconsider his sheltered life of privilege and unlocks his potential for kindness. She’s a far a better role model than the passive damsel-in-distress presented in earlier versions of this tale. Barrymore has charm in spades and Huston brings a touch of tragedy to what could’ve been a thankless role, in the hands of a lesser actor.