A Cinderella Story - 2004
I approached this film with skepticism looming, wondering just how palatable yet another “Cinderella story” could be. A forbidden romance; they meet, overcome social barriers, foil the wicked step family, and live happily ever after. However, screenwriter Leigh Dunlap has taken a “been there, seen that,” plot and added some fun twists which make “A Cinderella Story” a story worth watching.
In this 2004 adaptation, our Cinderella is Sam Montgomery (Hilary Duff), a sweet-natured girl who has been orphaned and left in the care of her stepmother (Jennifer Coolidge) who forces her to work in the family diner seven days per week, before and after school. In spite of this, Sam is an excellent student and plans on graduating early so that she can fulfill her late father’s goal for her: to attend Princeton University.
This ambition becomes a shared dream when she meets “Prince Charming” on the internet. Sam begins stealing moments from her days to spend time chatting electronically with her crush, who is also hoping for acceptance to Princeton. Unbeknownst to Sam, the boy to whom she is pouring her heart out is Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray), the quarterback for their high school football team. Austin does not realize that the girl who is steadily winning him over on-line is in reality the unpopular tomboy who serves him and his friends at the local diner and is constantly teased at school.
One of the most enjoyable facets of this film is the cast, especially Jennifer Coolidge as the overbearing and self-indulgent wicked stepmother. The part of Sam is the type of role in which Hilary Duff seems most comfortable, and she succeeds in winning the audience's affection. Unfortunately, the performances of Madeline Zima and Andrea Avery as the wicked stepsisters is lackluster to say the least, and their comedic scenes come across as unworthy slapstick.
The love story of this film is actually not based on lust as are most silver screen flings. Because they have formed a relationship on the internet, the two stars do not even know what each other looks like throughout most of the movie. The moral foundation of the story is that the beautiful people are not necessarily the ones worth knowing.
The downside of portraying this internet romance is that it encourages some unsafe behavior. Sam and Austin meet on-line, and talk only through chat programs, e-mail, and cellular text messaging. The two choose to retain their anonymity with each other until they plan to meet in person for the first time at a school event. Meanwhile, neither young person seeks parental involvement or counsel. Nothing is said about how dangerous this is in reality.
There are a few unmarried kissing scenes in the film. Little or no sexual innuendo.
The film contains one mild obscenity and four religious exclamations.
Sam’s father loses his life in an earthquake early in the film. There is a very brief, non-graphic dramatic scene depicting this which could disturb small children, especially if they live in an area threatened by earthquakes.
Most Hollywood productions lead audiences to believe that true happiness can only be found in some romantic entanglement. This film does not follow suit, however, as we see Sam’s dad instructing her as a little girl that “happily ever after” does not necessarily mean finding prince charming, but following her dreams and standing up for what she believes in. Spiritually, this script can start a family discussion about seeking God’s plan for our lives and letting His dream be the wish our heart makes.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” -Jeremiah 29:11