"Just Breathe..."- This movie is such a joy to watch. I've always loved fairy tales and ever since I had read "Ella Enchanted", had loved the idea of an alternate version of a story like Cinderella. It's such a beautiful movie with great costumes and characters.
The story starts with Danielle (the Cinderella) losing her father to what looks like a heart attack shortly after he arrives with his new wife and Danielle's new stepsisters. In this version only one of the step sisters is truly wicked, with the other one, Jacqueline having been treated almost as badly as our Cinderella. As this movie sets up to have actually occurred in real life, it allows for famous historical figures to emerge, such as Leonardo Da Vinci (who doubles as her modern fairy godfather). It turns the story on its head as Danielle first meets the prince as he is stealing a horse and, not knowing it was him, throws an apple at him. From their, she feels she has to pretend to be an aristocrat (using her mother's name) so she can spend time with the prince and they begin to fall in love.
I love this story as it takes classic elements such as Cinderella's kindness to the fellow servants (though they were mice) and her magical dress, but gives her character much more strength. One of the best moments happens when Danielle, after escaping from be locked in her house, comes to the ball in a stunning white gown with wings.
This stronger and super independent Cinderella isn't afraid to get what she wants, whether it is bringing a servant back to her home after he was sold or freeing herself from her forced servitude at the end. It creates such a great scene at the end when the Prince is coming to "save" her and she has already taken care of it herself. It makes me want to believe that it was a real story (that occurred during this time) because her love with Prince was actually formed, instead of the whole "love at first sight" thing from the original animated movie. Angelica Houston does a fantastic job as the evil step mother
FanGirl Rating: 4.5/5 The costuming and atmosphere really fit the tone of the story. also by not making it the same story that everyone is used to, it really breathes from fresh energy into this typical traditional fairy tale. I always look forward to watch this movie even though the fact that it takes place in France, yet everyone has pseudo British accent is slightly distracting. Overall, it has high re-watchable quality.
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