Title: Ever After

Year Released/Rating: 1998 PG-13

Starring: Drew Barrymore, Dougray Scott, Angelica Houston

Directed By: Andy Tennant

Written By: Susannah Grant, Andy Tennant, Rick Parks, Charles Perrault

Genre: Drama, Romance

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: I own it

Trivia:

• Danielle's portrait (which Leonardo da Vinci paints in the film) is actually modeled after another da Vinci work, "La Scapigliata" (also known as "Testa di fanciulla detta la scapigliata").
• The glass slippers were made by Salvatore Ferragamo.
• At the start of the film when the Brothers Grimm are talking to the queen about the many different versions of the Cinderella story they mention that in some versions the slippers she wears to the ball are fur rather than glass. This refers to Charles Perrault's version of the story, which was the first to introduce the glass slipper (which in French is "pantoufle de verre"), and how some people believe it was actually an misinterpretation of the words for a fur slipper (pantoufle de vair).

Summary: The "real" story of Cinderella. A refreshing new take on the classic fairy tale.

Review: 

On my list of top five movies of all time.  I am a sucker for a great romance.  And this one has everything: adventure, comedy, drama, beautiful costumes, scenery, and fabulous acting.  I love love love this retelling of Cinderella.  Angelica Houston is perfect as the evil stepmother.  Dougray Scott is the perfect prince.  And Drew Barrymore has all the spirit and fight that I always picture Cinderella to have. I watch this one every few months just for a pick me up.

Best Bits: 

• Leonardo da Vinci: You cannot leave everything to fate, boy. She's got a lot to do. Sometimes you must give her a hand.
• Danielle: Forgive me, Your Highness, I did not see you.  Henry: Your aim would suggest otherwise.
• Henry: Mother, Father, I want to build a university, with the largest library on the continent, where anyone can study, no matter their station!  King Francis: All right... Who are you... and what have you done with my son?  Henry: [laughs] Oh, and I want to invite the gypsies to the ball!
• Queen Marie: Any choice is better than Spain!
• Danielle: [about the prince] Honestly, I think he and Marguerite deserve each other.  Paulette: Oh, bite your tongue! The only throne I want her sitting on is the one I have to clean everyday.
• Henry: You told me it was a matter of life or death.  Leonardo da Vinci: [unrolling the Mona Lisa] A woman always is, sire.
• Danielle: A bird may love a fish, signore, but where will they live?  Leonardo da Vinci: Then I shall have to make you wings.
• Danielle: Signore, my name is Danielle de Barbarac, and I am but a servant.  Leonardo da Vinci: Yes, and I'm the bastard son of a peasant. What does that have to do with anything?