Cinderella (2015)
Director: Kenneth Branagh.
Fair/passes the time
Synopsis
Young Ella (Webb) lives a blissful life, with parents (Chaplin and Attwell) who love her and each other, in a charming family house, served by adoring servants. That is until her mother tragically dies.
Years later, she has grown into a beautiful young woman (James) who is abused by her wicked stepmother (Blanchett) and her two horrible daughters (Grainger and McShera), who treat her as a slave.
Her life takes a different turn when she accidentally meets the handsome Prince of the realm (Madden) who decides to hold a ball in order to meet and propose to her.
Review
Screenwriter Chris Weitz's tick-box list of the classic Grimm Brothers fairy tale ingredients was well and truly filled with this very traditional adaptation of Cinderella, pretty and plucky Cinders (James), handsome Prince Charming (Madden), wicked but very glamorous stepmother (Blanchett).
A shame that didn't stretch to pushing the boat out and opening the story up as past film-makers have, but no matter.
Performance wise, this is impressive, particularly Blanchett who is all steely looks, searching glances and whispered wickedness.
James is a perfectly acceptable Cinders to complement the wonderful awfulness of Grainger and her Downton Abbey co-star McShera as the not-so-very-ugly sisters.
A big and expensive production has given us some awesome sets and costumes to gawp at, but despite Branagh's consummate verve as a director, it's as brittle and see-through as a glass slipper.
For full review: http://ow.ly/Ltddf
For a list of all current releases at Cineworld MK: http://www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/milton-keynes
Cast & credits
Producers: David Barron, Simon Kinberg, Allison Shearmur. Writer: Chris Weitz. Camera: Haris Zambarloukos. Music: Patrick Doyle. Sets: Dante Ferretti.
Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera, Nonso Anozie, Stellan Skarsgard, Derek Jacobi, Ben Chaplin, Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon, Eloise Webb.
