The basic story involves a bright, beautiful
16th century girl, Danielle De Barbarac (Drew Barrymore), who
loves books, her family's Manor, and her father, Auguste De
Barbarac (Jeroen Krabbé). 10 years following the death
of her beloved dad, a chance encounter with a prince whom she
meets, (when she pretends to be a courtesan, in order to rescue
a fellow servant, that the step-mother sold to pay taxes), offers
a respite from the tough life of servitude, to her nasty stepmother
and stepsisters, on her own father's Manor.
Anjelica Huston soars with her portrayal of
Barrymore's evil, self-centered stepmother, whose main goal
is to make her eldest daughter, Marguerite De Ghent, queen.
In reference to the upcoming marriage of Prince Henry to the
Spanish Princess, she says, "Darling, nothing is final
'til you're dead, and even then, I'm sure God negotiates."
Instead of going over the top, Huston uses pursed lips, arched
eyebrows, and hushed tones to create an unforgettable portrait
of vain, grasping cruelness.
Drew Barrymore offers a "modern"
interpretation of Cinderella. She refuses to be bound by the
then conventional limitations of being a servant and a woman,
determined to keep her family together, find a way to turn the
manor around, reach out to Prince Henry at the costume ball,
and get away from the clutches of Pierre Le Pieu, (Richard O'Brien).
Possessing intelligence, self respect, and an unquenchable spirit,
Barrymore's Danielle offers a surprisingly contemporary role
model for today's girls. Although she took a few years to "arrive,"
with "Ever After" Barrymore proudly displays the superb
acting tradition that flows through her veins.
Dougray Scott's Prince Henry, is a handsome
yet complex character. Although a romantic figure, he's three
dimensional, with good and bad traits and an arrogance that
goes with his royal blood line. It also helps that he has great
on-screen chemistry with Barrymore.
Patrick Godfrey is delightful in the role of
Leonardo da Vinci. Godfrey fully captures the inventiveness,
wisdom, and love-of-life that must have been the real Leo.
Timothy West does his kingly best as King Francis,
the frustrated monarch, determined to get his son off his floundering
path, by making him get married to either a maiden of his choice
or his father's choice.
Richard O'Brien, who has made a successful
career playing creepy, eccentric villains and assorted characters,
does a great job as the slime ball Pierre Le Pieu, who has a
crush on the beautiful Danielle. His slithery sinister performance
inspires Drew Barrymore to do her best in her scenes with him,
showing her character's personal strength and courage in the
face of his sliminess.
It's interesting to note that Richard O'Brien
was the writer of the screenplay, "The Rocky Horror Picture
Show," even playing a part in it.
It was a stroke of genius to cast the great
French actress, Jeanne Moreau, as the Grand Dame, who has a
brief but very important role in the very beginning and the
very end of the film. Her character summons the Brother's Grimm
to visit her at her chateau, in order to set them straight about
their version of the Cinderella story.
The film was shot on location in the Dordogne
region of France. Aided by production designer, Michael Howells,
director of photography, Andrew Dunn, delivers the viewer to
a fantastic yet believable fairy tale world.
There are many memorable moments in this beautifully
done film. A favorite sequence of scenes depicts the rescue
of Maurice (Walter Sparrow), the servant that the Baroness had
sold to pay her taxes.
Another favorite scene involves the film's
masked ball sequence. Barrymore's arrival at the ball, wearing
an incredible gown, with wings designed by Leonardo da Vinci,
is a wonderful fairy tale moment perfectly realized for the
screen.
George Fenton is the gifted composer who is
responsible for the romantic, beautiful musical score, that
really adds to the mood and occurrences in the movie.
"Ever After" is a great date movie
because it offers a wonderful love story. Its theme of true
love triumphing over huge obstacles is sure to warm the hearts
of dating couples of all ages.
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