'A Cinderella Christmas' did sound like it had a lot of potential to work. The story of 'Cinderella' is one of my all time favourites, and to see a Christmas twist on it fascinated me. Seeing trusted friends and reviewers rating it highly also added to the interest. And there have been times where Emma Rigby has impressed me, while she was inconsistent as Red Queen in 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' my memories of her powerful annorexia storyline in 'Hollyoaks' are still vivid.
On the most part, 'A Cinderella Christmas' was nicely done. It wasn't amazing to me, it was a bit uneven and it didn't impress me as much as others, but when it works it works very well indeed. Can totally understand its appeal and why it's gotten a good deal of love, while understanding some of the criticisms that have been directed against it. Really enjoyed 'A Cinderella Christmas' spin on the 'Cinderella' story and it and Christmas do mix, which was the most important thing. Saw another Christmas spin on another fairytale, 'A Snow White Christmas', months back, and 'A Cinderella Christmas' (which unlike that film is actually good) is miles better.
Shall start with what doesn't work. There are plot elements that are on the far-fetched and contrived side (i.e. The urgent wedding), complete with the odd frustrating character behaviours that make them look dumb on occasion. The romance did feel rushed in development at times.
Was not particularly keen on the performance of Sarah Stouffer, who overplays her very shallow and already exaggerated character. No subtlety or likeability whatsoever. A bit cheesy in the dialogue in spots.
There are many good things though. It is a nice looking film, especially the luminous scenery and Angie's dress. The music doesn't sound over-scored, too much of a dirge or over-quirky, having seen a lot of Christmas films over-time with intrusive and overdone music. The script has its cheesy moments, but it is genuinely amusing more than once and is far from bland emotionally, quite heartfelt actually without being syrupy. Likewise the story isn't perfect, but it captures the magic of the story it's loosely inspired from and the charm of Christmas beautifully and has a warm heart and honesty.
Excepting Candace, the characters are nicely written and not hard to relate to and the acting is better than average and often good. Rigby is immensely appealing as Angie and brings a lot of charm to her without going too far on the sentiment. Peter Porte is dashing and equally amiable, he and Rigby have an easy going chemistry and while their relationship is too hastily developed at times it flows more realistically than most similar relationships in Christmas films. Lesley Ann Downe is suitably sincere.
On the whole, nicely done with debits. 6/10.
