User reviews

It's definitely a TV movie, but if you keep that in mind you might actually enjoy it. The story is at times cute, but whenever the fairytale side of it comes up it can be a little cheesy. The graphics are you typical TV movie graphics, nothing great. However, I will say the wardrobe that Nora Zehetner (Princess Ithaca) wears is absolutely beautiful, in fact in the first gown she wears she almost looks like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday (not that I'm comparing this movie to Roman Holiday in any way). She really does look like a princess. As long as you know what you're getting with this movie and not expect more, you may actually enjoy it.

Underacheiving William Humphries (Kip Pardue) is near the end of his trust fund after his many failed careers. His successful friends take him in. They are invited to an endangered animals benefit hosted by a strange princess. Princess Ithaca (Nora Zehetner) is holed up in her castle with mostly old ladies. There are some strange creatures swimming in the pond and giant footprint in the garden. She auctions herself off to raise the needed money and William wins with his last $50k only if she has the dinner out in the city. After half of his cheesy line, she cuts him off and mistakenly believes that he is her long-awaited savior, the searcher. For her, she is running out of time.

The male lead Kip has limited charisma. His looks is passable and only good in comparison to the sloppy best friend character who is also a terrible jerk. Kip has little to no screen presence. His character is an idiot. He should probably dress up a bit also. Next to the princess, he is horribly under dressed. Nora Zehetner is certainly pretty and she has more charm than her male lead. Their chemistry is awkward at best. The production is cheaper than usual TV movie. There are some pretty princess gowns. The creatures are either older style CGI or costumes. The directing from Mark Rosman is weak even for him. This is mostly boring and not for most audience.

There is a change in tone for the last third of the movie. It turns darker and more intense. It's like somebody turned on a switch in the movie. It would have been better to start the movie in that direction. It's like watching a double bill. The first part is a princess movie for little girls. The second part is more action thriller and not for the little kiddies.

Classical princess fairy tales never go out of fashion: this time the story is set in present day America, where a reclusive girl named Ithaca (Nora Zehetner) lives in a luxurious castle with many servants and is seen as an eccentric princess of sorts by the locals. When a handsome but not very wealthy young man named Will Humphries (Kip Pardue) gets to meet her at a charity ball, it seems to be love at first sight for both of them. But she is not an ordinary princess, and there are many obstacles hindering their romance – both regular and more otherworldly ones.

At first the movie seems terribly clichéd in its overflowing romanticism: the laughably emotional music, the idyllic castle setting, the richly coloured cinematography and even some sweeping camera movements aggressively rub the style in the face of the audience. However, considering its background as a modern day princess tale, all this can be accepted as awareness of the conventions of the fairytale genre. The actual romance between the two leads is very hackneyed boy-meets-girl stuff, but the fantasy elements help to move the attention away from the by-the-numbers nature of the romantic plot line. In any case, the beautiful Nora Zehetner suits her role well, vastly overshadowing the rather bland Kip Pardue.

The adventure story regarding the search for the next princess is fairly entertaining for what it is, even though the CGI effects are anything but good-looking. There are also run-of-the-mill comedic scenes that may amuse undemanding audiences, mainly based on Matthew Edison's character as Louis, Will's loudmouthed friend frustrated with his pregnant wife Sophie (Mayko Nguyen). In summary, Princess achieves what it was going for fairly well. The movie's goals may not have been very ambitious, but the different elements of the story manage to support each other and keep the whole from feeling overly trite. I think friends of princess fairy tales can easily enjoy the light little movie regardless of age (even though certain scenes may feel a bit too exciting for the very youngest viewers).

RELEASED TO TV IN 2008 and directed by Mark Rosman, "Princess: A Modern Fairytale" is a family flick about an amicable down-on-his-luck Princeton graduate (Kip Pardue) who impulsively bids his last capital on a date with a reclusive "princess" of an odd local chateau (Nora Zehetner). As he falls for her innocent charms he discerns that something decidedly peculiar is going on.

The protagonist has the agreeable appeal of Richard Thomas (aka John Boy in The Waltons), albeit taller. But I found it odd how he just rolled with the weird lingo and other things while dating the princess, like the perpetual talk of some mysterious "searcher." If you can get past that, this is a mildly enjoyable TV fantasy flick with some magic.

The noble manner in which William (Pardue) courts the princess is beautiful and heartwarming - the express opposite of picking up a dubious chick at some sleaze joint. Zehetner is certainly winsome, but doesn't do much for me personally, but there are worthy females on the periphery. The film's decent, but limited by its TV budget and inferior to "Prince Charming" (2001).

THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hours & 28 minutes and was shot in Toronto. WRITERS: Heidi Ferrer.

GRADE: C+

William (Kip Pardue) arrives at the home of a west coast friend to couch surf for awhile. His last four jobs have not worked out and, luckily for him, his married pal and his very pregnant wife are more than happy to have him as their guest. Almost immediately, William is invited to attend a special fund raising ball at a nearby castle's grounds. Living at the castle is eccentric Princess Ithaca (Nora Zehetner) who, almost 25, has never had a date and spends most days at home, taking care of the gardens and animals that live on her property. Nevertheless, when the Princess appears, William notes her beauty. It seems the fund raising effort includes an auction for the "last dance" with Ithaca and a lunch date soon after. As the bidding goes higher, William calls out 50 grand! Its his inheritance and his only money. Joy of joy, he wins! Soon, the two are having their dance and making lunch plans. But, there is quite a mystery afoot as something Will said was a code for Ithaca to proclaim him her "searcher". What is that? Glimpses of mythical beings, from mermaids to werewolves to elves, also appear on the grounds of the castle, scaring and confusing Will. Is Ithaca truly interested in him romantically or is William about to be entangled in something more dangerous? This is quite a lovely film for young girls and ladies of all ages. Fantasy fans will enjoy it as well. Pardue and Zehetner make an attractive duo while the secondary cast supports them nicely. Naturally, the sets, costumes, and effects are quite good, as is the direction. As for the script, is has some hard-to-believe moments and far-fetched elements but, well, it is a fantasy, no? Thus, pick out Princess for the crew in the weeks ahead.

2 February 2012. This new version of Cinderella takes Anne Hathaway resemblance of The Princess Dairies (2001) and and the more mystical Enchanted (2007) along with a clever plot device to make a decently acted and delivered romantic fantasy. While the CGI special effects by today's standards transparent, this made for television movie is just that, a lower-budgeted version of full length featured films. With three apparent weaknesses including an inexplicable date setting, a brotherly hug which under the circumstances seems overly kind, and one of the cleanest homeless set that looks more like a theatrical set design, the overall movie is enjoyable and even clever in its first half of the movie as the plot twist is revealed, But, later part of the movie seems a little ragged, rushed, and the pacing somewhat uneven. Overall, this is one of those above average entertainment experiences worth catching if it becomes available.

"Princess" stars Nora Zehetner and Kip Pardue in a modern day fairy tale with a few cute twists. I've never been much of a fan of TV movies, but this one really touched my heart.

Mysterious and self-titled Princess Ithaca is making her annual appearance at a fund raising ball where jack-of-all-trades William Humphrey just happens to be attending with his friend. He banks what's left of his meager savings in order to secure a date with the enigmatic princess.

It's a simple enough premise for kids, but even I as an older teen enjoyed it. The chemistry between Zehetner and Pardue makes you smile and I have to say Zehetner especially did a fun job of portraying the innocent but spirited princess. Co-stars include a rough around the edges nanny, a settled married couple who is very near their due date and a multitude of colorful, other worldly characters.

The story may have been done before, and the CGI is not as top notch as that seen in the box office, but the characters win over your heart in no time. And of course, the traditional fairy tale ending is always a nice enticer for kids. The musical score is also appropriately enchanting.

8 out of 10 for me!

While not as polished as some recent big-screen releases on the same concept, Princess has its own brand of accessible fairy-tale charm for kids and tweens of today.

The modern characters are recognizable types and the princess appears as almost a human version of the best old-school Disney princesses, from her dark curls and dainty tiaras to the succession of gowns that will make any young princess-wannabee's heart beat faster.

A couple of things dragged my score for this flick down a couple of points: 1. The mystery behind the princess takes a long time to come to the fore, and 2. too much screen time is given to the not-very-interesting travails of our hapless hero, most likely to spare the limited CG budget.

Still, the scenery is gorgeous, the princess adorable and determined, and the story touches lightly on the motif that any girl, anywhere, might find her life-mission and her happiness.

I didn't expect much from this movie but it entailed everything you want in a romantic movie... I simply loved it

This film is refreshing, original, intriguing, romantic, and fun for all ages. What initially seem to be familiar "princess and castle" scenarios soon reveal the most unusual and original writing. The viewer cannot look away for a moment, so entertaining and intriguing is every scene. And the film proves a production can be clean and decent and still fascinate. There is also a positive, altruistic cause being worked toward, reflecting the good in us all.