After the Ball

Newly graduated Kate Kassell (Portia Doubleday) is trying to be a fashion designer but her father Lee (Chris Noth)'s cheap knockoff reputation stymies her. She joins her fathers company which was started with her deceased mother. Her stepmother Elise (Lauren Holly) schemes to kick her out of the company. Elise with her simpleton daughters are undermining the company. After they successfully get Kate fired, her friends suggest returning as a male designer.

This is sorta Cinderella with a dash of Twelfth Night. I like Portia Doubleday and really the only reason to watch this. Her weird-looking male character is off-putting at first but he does grow on me. The father is infuriating as if he is suffering dementia. It might be helpful to see the roots of the dysfunctional father daughter relationship. The evil stepmother is fine. The fashion business is nothing insightful or real. At the end of the day, none of that is the big problem. It is simply too cheap and too cheesy to be effective. It is not more than a TV movie that cannot elevate. Doubleday does an admirable job but it is not enough.

Just like its name, After The Ball is a modern twist on the Cinderella story with a bit more substance thrown in.

The supporting cast (especially Maurice!) and a well paced storyline makes this a delight to watch.

Though the story is predictable, there was enough heart in it to make you want to follow Kate's journey. There is more to the plot than just romantic attraction but has elements of father/daughter relstionships, greed/deceit and mateship.

You'll detect elements of Devil Wears Prada and She's The Man so if that's your kind of movie give this a go.

Portia Doubleday heads a phenomenal cast who have fun with Shakespeare's themes of disguises and miscommunication. I started watching this show thinking it was just a Cinderella remake, but was taken on a surprise road trip through a comedic spectacular.

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