Ella Enchanted *** (2004, Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Minnie Driver, Patrick Bergin, Joanna Lumley, Lucy Punch, Jennifer Higham) – Classic Movie Review 614

In 2004 Tommy O’Haver, the director of teen romcom hit Get Over It (2001), goes for a cute new spin on an old fairy-tale theme, based on an award winning bestselling young people’s novel by Gail Carson Levine. Anne Hathaway gives an appealing star performance in a nicely done, handsomely produced little labour of love.

Hathaway stars as Ella of Frell, who at birth is given a fairy’s gift of obedience. When Ella’s father (Patrick Bergin) remarries, she is tormented by a wicked stepmother, Dame Olga (Joanna Lumley), and two horrid stepsisters, Hattie (Lucy Punch) and Olive (Jennifer Higham) who enjoy making her do their bidding.

Determined to break free of the obedience spell, Ella sets off on a quest through dark forests, where she finds a go-getting elf, Slannen (Aidan McArdle) and meets the handsome and dashing Prince Char (Hugh Dancy), and on to the king’s castle. Reversing the usual story, Ella rescues Char with true love.

This very sweet and amusing teen movie is greatly enlivened with the wittily funny turns by Lumley, Higham, Punch, Minnie Driver (as Mandy) and Cary Elwes as the evil Sir Edgar. Perfectly cast, Dancy is both handsome and charming.

Viveca A Fox, Eric Idle, Jimi Mistry, Parminder Nagra and Jim Carter also star and Steve Coogan is the slimy voice of Heston the snake.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 614

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