:
Anne Hathaway,
Anne Hathaway,
Hugh Dancy,
more...
:
Tommy O'Haver,
Tommy O'Haver
see all cast/crew...
: 
: Miramax
: Comedies, Teen Comedy, Fantasy
: 96 min.
: English, French
: Spanish
see additional details...
|
|
Adapted from author Gail Carson Levine's award-winning children's book of the same name, the Miramax-financed modern fantasy Ella Enchanted is directed by Tommy O'Haver and stars The Princess Diaries alumna Anne Hathaway. Ella (Hathaway) lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of their birth, is given a virtuous "gift" from a fairy godmother. Ella's so-called gift, however, is obedience. This birthright proves itself to be quite the curse once Ella finds herself in the hands of several unscrupulous characters whom she quite literally cannot disobey. Determined to gain control of her life and decisions, Ella sets off on a journey she hopes will end with the lifting of the curse in question. The path, however, isn't easy -- Ella must outwit a slew of unpleasant magical creatures ranging from ogres to talking books with evil plots. Though perilous, Ella's adventures turn out to be necessary obstacles in the path toward finding herself, and maybe even true love along the way. Ella Enchanted also features Cary Elwes, who has starred in a fantasy feature himself (the widely acclaimed The Princess Bride), Hugh Dancey, and Patrick Bergin, among others. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
|
| A little less than enchanting
by talltale
August 24, 2004 - 3:47 PM PDT
|
|
|
4 out of 5 members found this review helpful
|
| ELLA ENCHANTED (yep: another Cinderella retelling) ought to have been terrific. If the whole were up to the level of some of its parts, what a movie this could have been! The filmmakers do a nice job combining fairy tale tropes with modern day convention. Certain moments work wonderfully: the song sung midway (and quite well by Anne Hathaway herself) and the song-and-dance that ends the film, during which the whole cast seems to be having the time of its life (and so will you). Trouble is, much of the script and direction appear to have been semi-improvised, with the writing and plot just dragging the movie along. The sharpness and cleverness that crop up now and again are far too hit-and-miss. Still, the cast is to-die-for, from Hathaway to Eric Idle, Joanna Lumley, Jimi Mistry, Minnie Driver, Viveca Fox and Hugh Dancy (of "The Sleeping Dictionary" and "Tempo"). Kids may have the best time here; adults may wish, as we did, that this one were better. |
|
|
GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 6.53)
51 Votes
add to list 
|
|
|
Your cart
badbadrubberpiggy
© 2006 All Media Guide, LLC. Portions of content provided by All Movie Guide®,
a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.