Plot
Adapted from author Gail Carson Levine's award-winning children's book of the same name, the Miramax-financed modern fantasy Ella Enchanted is directed by Tommy O'Haver and stars The Princess Diaries alumna Anne Hathaway. Ella (Hathaway) lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of their birth, is given a virtuous "gift" from a fairy godmother. Ella's so-called gift, however, is obedience. This birthright proves itself to be quite the curse once Ella finds herself in the hands of several unscrupulous characters whom she quite literally cannot disobey. Determined to gain control of her life and decisions, Ella sets off on a journey she hopes will end with the lifting of the curse in question. The path, however, isn't easy -- Ella must outwit a slew of unpleasant magical creatures ranging from ogres to talking books with evil plots. Though perilous, Ella's adventures turn out to be necessary obstacles in the path toward finding herself, and maybe even true love along the way. Ella Enchanted also features Cary Elwes, who has starred in a fantasy feature himself (the widely acclaimed The Princess Bride), Hugh Dancy, and Patrick Bergin, among others. ~ Tracie Cooper, RoviReview
Ella Enchanted is a surprisingly effective realization of its simple fairy-tale concept. A medieval teenager (Anne Hathaway) must do whatever anyone tells her, a curse that ranges from mildly annoying to incredibly problematic. Humorously, it also highlights our conversational use of command words, especially their literal interpretation. One such example comes when a castle guard tells a fleeing Ella to freeze, and she's forced to pause mid-leap, legs akimbo. The filmmakers are so true to their premise, even when the prince uses a common argument technique to focus her attention -- "Look, Ella" -- the girl gives a glance back over her shoulder, in deference to the gimmick. The same high level of care applies to the film's terrific-looking storybook world, which employs modern sensibilities (such as a medieval mall opening) in a charming way. Production designer Norman Garwood brings his Princess Bride pedigree to the project, joining the CG artists to conjure majestic "helicopter shots" of the kingdom's countryside, as well as inventive creatures and other details that go beyond what's usually required of a teen romantic fantasy. But despite its attempts to be more than that, Ella Enchanted's inescapable teen focus may prevent it from fully appealing to other demographics. Prince Char (Hugh Dancy) is a little too much of an olden-times Backstreet Boy, and Hathaway may be too identified with the Princess Diaries movies for older audiences. Plot-wise, there's also a potentially frustrating, unexploited loophole to Ella's curse -- namely, that Ella's goofy aunt (Minnie Driver) should be able to save Ella by ordering her to do the opposite of what her various adversaries tell her. But then, as they say, there would be no movie. Ultimately, only a real ogre could stay grumpy at Ella Enchanted for very long. ~ Derek Armstrong, RoviCast
- Anne Hathaway - Ella of Frell
- Hugh Dancy - Prince Charmont
- Cary Elwes - Prince Regent Edgar
- Patrick Bergin - Sir Peter
- Vivica A. Fox - Lucinda Perriweather
- Steve Coogan - Heston
- Jennifer Higham - Olive
- Eric Idle - Narrator
Credit
Anna Rackard - Art Director, Susie Figgis - Casting, Bruno Tonioli - Choreography, Susan Miller Lazar - Co-producer, Ruth Myers - Costume Designer, David Daniels - First Assistant Director, Tommy O'Haver - Director, Masahiro Hirakubo - Editor, Su Armstrong - Executive Producer, Bob Weinstein - Executive Producer, Harvey Weinstein - Executive Producer, Julie Goldstein - Executive Producer, Shaun Davey - Composer (Music Score), Norman Garwood - Production Designer, John DeBorman - Cinematographer, Jane Startz - Producer, Kieran Horgan - Sound/Sound Designer, Angus Bickerton - Special Effects Supervisor, Laurie Craig - Screenwriter, Karen McCullah Lutz - Screenwriter, Kirsten Smith - Screenwriter, Michele J. Wolff - Screenwriter, Jennifer Heath - Screenwriter, Gail Carson Levine - Book Author, Laurence O'Toole - Graphic Design| Ella Cinders (1926 Film), Elkie Brooks: Live (2005 Film) | |
| Ella Fitzgerald/Tommy Flanagan: Trio '77 (Film), Ella Fitzgerald: J.A.T.P. (1987 Film) |
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