After the Ball

This is my kind of movie. A sweet and fun hour and a half with my 12 year old daughter. Of course it's unrealistic, but so are Shakespeare and Cinderella.

Usually shows take the secret too far. I can't stand that. The timing was perfect here. Just when I thought the secret should be told, the right people find out. Since that's my opinion, I'm going to hope that's not a spoiler.

It probably helps to compare this film more to 'Twelfth Night' than to 'Cinderella', though it owes both.

I enjoyed it; but then I enjoy anything with Portia Doubleday. She is not as slapstick-funny as Amanda Bynes; but she is prettier; and she carries off the awkwardness of the Kate character amusingly and even credibly. You are inclined to like her character here - she is honest, well-meaning, and determined without being either overly sappy or shallow.

If there are shallow acting performances, they're down to everyone else - Daniel's character was insufficiently developed, making him appear like a caricature of Prince Charming rather than a real-life, modern-day Orsino; and Elise's character is hardly any Olivia. The actors are good enough but they aren't given much to work with.

Being a vehicle for Miss Doubleday is the movie's one saving grace. I really missed seeing her (little spoiler here) on the runway at the end; as it'd have been a major PR success for the company to have had Kate present in her new capacity; and of course she's lacking nothing to have made a good model... if only on her own terms :)

After the Ball is purely light entertainment with lots of make believe and succeeds in keeping it that way throughout the story.

A very simple tale of a girl fresh out of designer school and discovering the job market is a tough place for her profession. Her father gives her a chance in his clothing manufacturing business and Kate/Nate ends up saving the business from sinister doings!!

Yes its a silly story with a little bit of Cinderella and The Devil Wears Prada thrown in but the director Sean Garrity keeps it simple and fun and doesn't get too invested into the 'feelings' of the characters. Portia Doubleday is better at being the character Nate than she is at being Kate. And the two 'sisters' are perfect at being the buffoons of the story.

If you get a chance check this one out!

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was cute, funny, and appropriately over-the-top acting for a modern comedy retelling of the Cinderella story. One of the reviews mentions that they don't like the portrayal of stepmothers and stepsisters and the inaccuracy of the fashion industry etc, etc. Well this being comedy, and a parallel of Cinderella I don't think it should receive less stars because it focused on the story and the simple characters versus trying to be accurate. It is a very enjoyable, lighthearted movie. And if one is looking for a deep plot, accurate portrayals of the fashion industry and design, with multi-dimensional characters, you should look elsewhere. This movie is not for you and you will agree with the other reviewer instead of enjoying a truly good movie.

I enjoyed this movie immensely! It took the "Cinderella-like" tale to a whole new Modern Day version that I very much enjoyed. The characters were relatable and hilarious, and I couldn't help laughing so hard during it. Portia, the actress playing the lead female, did a FANTASTIC job playing her parts! It wasn't too dorky that it was terrible and overdone; it had just enough silly humor that it was entertaining for me. The romantic parts were charming and "awwww!"-inducing that I couldn't help but melt inside. So adorable!

It's a GREAT movie to watch and laugh out loud with the entire family!! You won't regret it! :D