Ever After movie review

Ever After, released in 1998 is a romantic retelling of the classic tale of Cinderella. The story is about Danielle a young girl, whose father while away on business marries a baroness, and he brings the baroness and her daughters home to live at his estate. Soon after their arrival he leaves again for business, but suffers a heart attack and dies as he is leaving, leaving young Danielle at the mercy of her new stepmother. Her stepmother and stepsisters never full accept her, and she becomes a servant to them. The film then fast forwards 10 years into the future where we have Prince Henry who is being forced into an arranged marriage to a Spanish princess. One night he runs away from home, and the King sends out the guard to hunt for him. During his fleeing he steals the horse that belonged to Danielle's late father, so not knowing who he is she throws apples at him to stop him from stealing their horse. He pays her for her silence, and she uses that money to buy one of her servant's freedom, as he had been sold to pay off Danielle's stepmother's debts, as have various house hold items. While she is buying the servants freedom, she once again encounters the Prince, and scolds him for how he treats commoners, and this is the start of the romance that would span the rest of the movie. Ever After is a refreshing retelling of Cinderella, and has an amazing performance by Drew Barrymore. I like that she is a progressive thinking, strong willed woman, she really is a feminist version of Cinderella, and I like how the prince is attracted to her because of her strength, and because she is not afraid to scold him for his easy dismissal of common folk. I like that her favourite book is Utopia, and she is found quoting from it regularly. I like that the woman doesn't have to change who she is for the man in this case, she is not subservient to him, a helpless damsel in distress, no she is powerful and brave, and she often times is the one doing the saving, and she changes him, he gets inspired by her radical ideas, and he grows to be a better person through out. Also the sweet justice that is served to her evil step mother and her evil step sister Marguerite. The sets are beautifully chosen and fit the period of the piece. Also the actors are amazing in their roles, of course Drew Barrymore as I mentioned, but also Angelica Houston as her evil step mother was superb, I also really like how Melanie Lynskey played the step sister Jacqueline who is a more complex character. The movie also had great pacing, and amazing character development. Honestly this is one of my favourite romantic movies, it is just really well done in every way. Would I recommend this movie? Yes, absolutely with all of my heart I would recommend this amazing film. I feel like this is another must see film, and has always been one of my favourites.