By RUTH CASTILLO
ruth@du2.byu.edu
'Ever After's' modern twist to the classical Cinderella fairy tale left Monday night's audience applauding at the Wynnsong theater in Orem.
The movie opens with a brief mid-19th century prelude as an unnamed Grande Dame tells the Grimm brothers that they have the Cinderella story all wrong.
She recounts of her great-great-great grandmother, Danielle (Cinderella), and how she was able to marry the Crowned Prince of France, Henry.
Drew Barrymore is an empowered Cinderella. She is not a passive 16th century damsel in distress.
She is a post-feminist Cinderella who displays her down-to-earth beauty as she refuses to wait for a dreamy-eyed Prince Charming to rescue her from her wicked step-mother Rodmilla (Anjelica Huston).
After a decade of being treated as a simple servant and struggling to receive some kind of motherly affection, she decides that it is time to look for love elsewhere.
Twentieth century women may admire this Cinderella because she is educated, spunky, exciting and is not afraid to speak her mind. However, those looking for a more traditional fairy tale love story will be disappointed by the lack of romance.
Cinderella shows women what it takes to better one's life and get the man of your dreams.
She easily fends for herself and gets what she wants. Although most women today would refuse to climb trees and fight off thieves, Cinderella does it all.
She even carries the Crown Prince of France (Dougray Scott) on her back to rescue him from a band of Gypsies.
She is repulsed at the way society treats peasants and is infuriated at the arrogant upper-class.
Meanwhile, Prince Henry suffers from arranged marriage syndrome.
He is to marry the princess of Spain and desperately tries to convince his parents that marrying for love is the only path to a fulfilling marriage.
His parents give him a chance to find a true love, but he has to work fast or else he will have to marry the Spanish princess.
The Prince quickly goes to his friend and artist, Leonardo da Vinci for help.
He asks the wise artist if he believes there is a 'perfect match' for everybody.
'How will I know if she's the right one?' he asks.
'There is only one,' da Vinci says.
Partially free from his gilded cage, Prince Henry becomes immediately intrigued with Cinderella's energy and intellect.
The couple have their ups and downs and must overcome the pitfalls set by the evil Rodmilla.
The ending is somewhat different than the fairy tale, but they do end up living happily ever after.
The costuming was wonderful. They looked really authentic. Cinderella's ornate glass slipper showed amazing design and skill by the costume designers.
The acting could have been a little better and Barrymore's English accent did more to detract than to add to the fairy tale mood.
This is a good family summer movie. It is rated PG-13 for momentary strong language and slight hints of sexuality. It runs for 2 hours and 2 minutes.