A Cinderela

One of Rodger and Hammerstein's masterpiece. Although this TV movie is a remake, you just can't get enough of Brandy, Paolo Montalban, Whoopi Goldberg, Whitney Houston, Bernadette Peters, and all of the casts that makes this movie a classic. Listen to the music. Hear its glory.

I saw this version as I have always liked Bernadette Peters and Whitney Houston. And although it is not perfect and I do much prefer the 1965 and 1957 versions, I enjoyed this movie. For a TV movie it is well made and completely delightful to watch. The effects are above average, the costumes and sets are gorgeous and the ballroom sequence with its enchanting photography was the highlight of the film. The story is timeless, the choreography is dazzling and danced with gusto and while slightly corny at times the dialogue amuses. Rodgers and Hammerstein's songs are outstanding, with too many highlights to list. I wasn't so taken with the more contemporary numbers though, the style jarred with those of R&H's and other than to suit the voices of some of those involved I personally didn't see much point in adding them. Overall, the cast are just great, the multicultural issue didn't bother me at all. I wasn't a fan of Brandy as Cinderella, she's not terrible by all means, she's beautiful, charming and whimsical and interacts well with everyone, but there are times where she's made to look passive and this felt forced to me. Also I never quite warmed to her voice, the tuning and style are fine. It was more the tone, I've never liked singers who sound as though they are singing through their nose. However, the rest of the cast fare much better, Whitney Houston is a slightly overplayed but vocally outstanding Fairy Godmother, Bernadette Peters is a wonderfully wicked and somewhat tragic step-mother, Jason Alexander is hilarious as Lionel and as the prince Paolo Montalban is dashing. The stepsisters are suitably odious and Whoopi Goldberg seems to be enjoying herself as the Queen. Overall, credible version but not the best, that belongs to the 1957 version with Julie Andrews. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Good grief...the attacks, the smug, sarcastic asides, the soapboxes on how this country is outta control with political correctness- Momma Mia!! And the truth is, no one would care if this Rodgers & Hammerstein musical classic was redone for a 30th time if the cast was white. There are literally the same complaints over and over again about the audacity of a black Cinderella (or a black queen or a black fairy godmother), but swift denials of any racist feelings or speculations. Yes, this version of the R&H musical is flawed, but the flaws (for me, at least) have absolutely NOTHING to do with the casting. (In this modern day and age, if people want to vocalize racial distaste, they say things are "too PC," which is clearly shorthand for "too-many-black-folks-in-the-room." How does a fairy tale- which has a pumpkin turning into a coach and a dress vanishing at the stroke of midnight- merit a debate about realism based on the fact that some of the actors are ethnic? Who are you fooling with these comments?)

I thought Brandy was lovely- especially in the spotlight solo "In My Own Little Corner." And I loved "Ten Minutes Ago-" the elaborate waltz which pairs Brandy and Paolo Montalban (an Asian prince?! Eeek!!) in a rather extravagant duet which gains in scope with a spinning 360 degree camera and lots and lots of dancers. What didn't I like about it? That the medium was completely changed from a TV play to a CGI-heavy movie. The first two productions had exclusively been done for television, in a television medium. The original live 1957 broadcast could not be taped (tape wasn't thoroughly invented yet), but thank goodness the 1964 broadcast was (some of that live feel is retained in this middle version). I would've loved for the 1997 production to be videotaped, where it would've felt a touch more intimate and warm. But it ventures out-and-over the top too often, such as in the elephantine "The Prince is Giving a Ball" and "Impossible," which seems to be all about the crazy light effects surrounding the floating carriage. I think the latest version needed more intimacy. For instance, one of the best scenes in the entire production features a minuscule epilogue not in either of the previous versions. Following the ball (and "A Lovely Night"), Cinderella's fairy godmother emerges one more time to persuade her charge to find her prince and tell him the truth, underscoring that she believe in herself and trust the prince to love her for exactly the way she is. A lovely, powerful moment which relies on nothing but simple, honest sentiment.

We received this movie as a gift and it sat unwatched for a year until my 3-yr old pulled it out. I don't usually tear up during movies, but this production is stunning to watch, and lovingly detailed. The costumes, the sets, the colors are hypnotic, very much like a dream. I particularly appreciate the inclusive, multi-racial cast, especially because we're used to seeing all combinations of families here in Cambridge. Whitney Houston's voice gives new meaning to the idea of fairy godmother. It's really her show; the whole theme that "nothing is impossible" rings even truer when you know about Houston's own history as a young housewife singing in her basement, dreaming of something better. Brandy makes a most sympathetic Cinderella-- she's not passive, she just doesn't know what to do, and her transformation from scullery maid to conficent princess is as believable as it is lovely to watch. This production is also unpretentious in that it's not preachy, or divisive. There is no one evil or bad; everyone's clearly trying to do the best they can. What more can you ask for? I'm in love with this movie, and credit Houston with a clear vision of how the dusty Cinderella story can become timeless and compassionate with just a few strategic modern touches!

What's not to like about this lively, romantic movie? It's fun for both kids and adults, it has some areas everyone can appreciate. Just relax and enjoy it, it IS a fairy tale. Adults can appreciate the 'politically correct' social overtones if they will just 'lighten up' (the adults I mean). The music is modernized, yet still done wonderfully. It's also refreshing to see actors from other genres perform believably here. All in all, a beautiful escape for a short while then back to reality. So sweet and vaguely Wizard-of-Oz-like set appearance. But it is a good movie that does what it intends.