A whimsical and passionate retelling of a classic fairy tale 

Review by J1 Reporter Rachel Kenney

REVIEWER NOTE: This review contains SPOILERS

“Ever After,” retells Charles Perrault’s beloved “Cinderella” in a timeless and refreshing way. The film was released in 1998, starring Drew Barrymore as Danielle De Barbarac and Dougray Scott as Prince Henry. Overall, this movie does an excellent job at replacing the fairy tale elements that are evident in the original, with heartfelt depth and passion, whilst keeping the nostalgic beauty and magic alive. 

The film takes place in Renaissance era France in the early 16th century. It follows the story of 8-year-old Danielle De Barbarac. In the beginning of the film, Danielle is left with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters after the untimely death of her father. Fast forward 10 years, Danielle has been treated more like a servant than a family member. When she thought she could never escape her entrapped life, she had a chance encounter with Prince Henry. 

Their relationship begins to deepen throughout the film, until at the ball, the prince realizes that Danielle is not who she said she was. She had made him believe that she was a noble, when in reality she was a mere common person. He is hurt and feels deceived, and humiliates her in front of the crowd. After she is bound to be shipped to the Americas by her family, the prince realizes his foolishness and chases after her. The film ends as they are happily married. 

The film does a great job at making the relationship seem incredibly real and raw. Rather than an instantaneous love, it starts out as a mutual respect that grows into a deep love on the basis of shared values and trust. The director, Andy Tennant, creates a tone that does a great job balancing the romance, comedy, and drama in the story. He did this while pushing modern ideas, like choice and equality, in a modest way. 

Cinematically, the film’s shots and settings were breathtaking. The movie was actually filmed in France, so they were able to capture the essence of the historical time. The music, done by George Fenton, is truly one of the best parts of the project. It transforms you into the story and wraps everything up in an elegant way. 

The only criticisms I have with the film have to do with its historical inaccuracy. For example, the timeline does not line with the actual historical period, like the inclusion of the famous Leonardo Da Vinci and Henry III.

Other than that, I truly have no complaints. “Ever After” stands out as one of my favorite retellings of a classic fairytale. It reminds me that at the core, true love is about respect and trust for one another. The film can be accessed through popular streaming networks like Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys an epic romance or someone who’s looking for a hidden gem.