Movie Type: Family-Oriented Comedy, Comedy of Manners
Themes: Fish Out of Water, Cinderella Stories, Crowned Heads
Main Cast: Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Hector Elizondo, Heather Matarazzo, Mandy Moore
Release Year: 2001
Country: US
Run Time: 114 minutes
MPAA Rating: G
Plot
This teen comedy from Disney is based on a popular novel by Meg Cabot and directed by Garry Marshall. Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is a teenage klutz who's openly mocked by the popular Lana Thomas (pop singer Mandy Moore). In fact, Mia's only friend at her exclusive prep school is the socially outcast Lilly (Heather Matarazzo). Mia's life takes a dramatic turn, however, when her mom announces that her late biological father was in actuality the crown prince of a small European nation, Genovia. Now Mia is the sole heir to the throne, and her grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews) wants to tutor the awkward teen in royal behavior. It's a daunting task given Mia's lax table manners, poise, and hair care, but the girl perseveres with some makeover help from her grandmother's security chief Hector Elizondo) and a style expert (Larry Miller). In the meantime, Mia's romantic affections are torn between the handsome, popular Josh (Erik Von Detten) and the more appropriate Michael (Robert Schwartzman), who also happens to be Lilly's brother. The Princess Diaries is the second film from Whitney Houston's production shingle after the television version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
Review
Few directors find as much success in their comfort zone as Garry Marshall. After fashioning a huge hit from the inferior Runaway Bride, Marshall has produced another box-office winner with the worthier The Princess Diaries -- kind of a "Pretty Woman Jr." No, luminous Anne Hathaway does not play a young prostitute trying to make good, but she does have Julia Roberts' toothy grin and gift for acting klutzy, which may be star-making qualities for young Hathaway as well. One of the few live-action movies to garner a G rating, The Princess Diaries has a giddy throwback feel even when it shows its star riding a scooter and features such concepts as virtual homework and the after-school feng shui club. Unable to rely on gross-out jokes -- although Hathaway's reluctant princess does vomit off-screen near the beginning -- Gina Wendkos' adaptation of Meg Cabot's novel rises to the challenge of finding kid-friendly humor that also tickles older funny bones. The supporting cast is a great complement to Hathaway's natural charisma, including the triumphant return of Julie Andrews as a pampered but sympathetic queen, often as charmingly clueless as her granddaughter. Hector Elizondo, who appears in nearly every Marshall film, again provides comic warmth as the queen's chief of security and driver. Certainly aimed at the dizzy fairy tale dreams of young girls -- tea parties were held prior to screenings at Los Angeles' El Capitan theater -- The Princess Diaries follows its formula so efficiently that it offers something for all ages. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
Caroline Goodall - Mia's Mom, Helen; Robert Schwartzman - Michael Moscovitz; Erik Von Detten - Student Josh Bryant; Sean O'Bryan - Teacher Mr. O'Connell; Sandra Oh - Vice Principal Gupta; Kathleen Marshall - Charlotte Kutaway; Hope Alexander-Willis - Lady Caroline; Marvin Braveman - State Dinner Waiter; Terry Brown - Policeman Washington; Willie Brown - Himself; Diane Frazen - Ball Guest Diane; Robert Glaudini - Consulate Valet Adolpho; Ira Glick - Ball Guest Dr. Glunk; Greg Lewis - Sigfried Von Troken, Baron; Bud Markowitz - Pear Juggler; Barbara Marshall - Lady Jerome; Jeff Michalski - Scottish Duke; Jane Morris - Lady Evergreen; Barbara Nabozny - Ball Guest Barbara; Julie Paris - Princess Palisades; Brian Phelps - DJ Brian; Tracy Reiner - Press Secretary Spencer; Steve Restivo - Count Vitello; Patrick Richwood - Neighbor Mr. Robutusen; Lori Sigrist - Twin Reporter; Terri Sigrist - Twin Reporter; Mark Thompson - DJ Mark; Nicholle Tom - Teen Reporter Cassie; Shannon Wilcox - Ball Reporter; Gary Combs - Lord Fricker; Stanley Frazen - Ball Guest Stanley; Erin O'Reilly - Scottish Duchess; Kathy Garver - Cable Tourist; Johnny Moran - Beach Photographer; Charles Guardino - Limo Driver Mel; Karl Makinen - Climbing Manager Schiavone; Sandra Taylor - Sanchez, Suki; John McGivern - Cable Car Conductor Macintosh; Joe Ross - Consulate Maitre'D; Shannon Elliot - Michael's Band Flypaper; Joe Unitas - Coach Joe Ewe; Bill Ferrell - Consulate Guard Darrell; Reuben Grundy - Street Reporter; Adam Williams - Dinner Guest Adam; Patrick Flueger - Student Jeremiah Hart; Mindy Burbano - Gym Teacher Harbula; Kim Leigh - Music Teacher Wells; Beth Anne Garrison - Cheerleader Anna; Bianca Lopez - Cheerleader Fontana; Tamara Levinson - Cheerleader Lupe; Lenore Thomas - Cable Show Student Melissa; Erik Bragg - Student Bobby Bad; Abigail Green-Dove - Student Linda Green; Meredith Shevory - Student Meredith; Anita Marie Curran - Newspaper Student Anita; Korry Cannon - Newspaper Student Korry; Cassie Rowell - Singing Student Alice; Chrissy Gilman - Beach Student; Todd Lowe - Lana's Date Eric; Reggie Stanton - Coach Dave Adams; Joel McCrary - Prime Minister Motaz; Clare Sera - Mrs. Motaz; Juliet Elizondo - Daughter Marissa Motaz; Bonnie Aarons - Joy Von Troken, Baroness; Darwood Chung - Emperor Sakamoto; Brigitta Lauren - Lady Lindenlaub; Alan Kent - State Dinner Waiter; Steve Totland - Consulate Waiter; Sparrow Heatley - Gretchen; Gwenda Perez - Helga; Sam Denoff - Lord Jerome; Dale Hikawa - Band Leader Dawn Kawa; Daru Kawalkowski - Countess Puck; Sol Rosenthal - Lawyer Ball Guest; Joe Allen Price - Father Joseph; James Brown Orleans - Doctor Motors; Rob Zylowski - Pizza Delivery Man; Sunny Hawks - Climbing Instructor Vivian; Mary Knoll - Trolley Tourist #2; Jason Ashland - Trolley Tourist #1; Erika Young - Umbrella Lady; Ethan Sandler - Tour Bus Driver; Bill Fricker - Autograph Father; Harold Carter - Michael's Band Flypaper; Michelle Yerger - 911 Nun; Wendy Hallin - 911 Nun; Lily Marshall-Fricker - Kid Autograph Seeker; Charlotte Marshall-Fricker - Kid Autograph Seeker; Tom Hines - Nelson Davenport; Patrick Noonan - Suki's Cameraman; Ali Gage - Beach Reporter Ali; Tanya Difrancesco - Beach Reporter Tanya; Niloufar Safaie - Ball Reporter; Tonje Larsgard - Ball Reporter; Flora Chong - Street Reporter; Gwen Holloway - Street Reporter; Fat Louie - Himself
Credit
Caty Maxey - Art Director, Louis Flores - Animator, Dale Mayeda - Animator, Cesar Velazquez - Animator, Tim Salmon - Boom Operator, Marcia Ross - Casting, Donna Morong - Casting, Gail Goldberg - Casting, Scott Grossman - Choreography, Ellen H. Schwartz - Co-producer, Cheryl Beasley Blackwell - Costume Designer, Gary Jones - Costume Designer, Michael J. Becker - Costume Designer, Kendall Errair - Costume Designer, Matthew Clayton Hooey - Costume Designer, Mary Still - Costume Designer, Ellen H. Schwartz - First Assistant Director, Michael Viglietta - First Assistant Director, Garry Marshall - Director, Scott Marshall - Second Unit Director, Bruce Green - Editor, Carol O'Connell - Hair Styles, Carolyn Elias - Hair Styles, Michael John Salon - Hair Styles, Stuart Lake - Location Manager, Laurie Noll - Location Manager, F. Stanley Pearse Jr. - Location Manager, John Debney - Composer (Music Score), Dawn Solér - Musical Direction/Supervision, Sidney James - Musical Direction/Supervision, Hallie D'Amore - Makeup, Ian Fox - Camera Operator, P. Scott Sakamoto - Camera Operator, Mayne Berke - Production Designer, Karl Walter Lindenlaub - Cinematographer, Ian Fox - Cinematographer, Whitney Houston - Producer, Garry Marshall - Producer, Mario Iscovich - Producer, Debra Martin Chase - Producer, Steve Cowie - Research, James Murakami - Set Designer, Casey Hallenbeck - Set Designer, Betty Krul - Set Designer, The Secret Lab - Special Effects, Keith A. Wester - Sound Mixer, Shawn Murphy - Sound Mixer, Keith A. Wester - Sound/Sound Designer, Donald J. Malouf - Sound Editor, Valerie Davidson - Sound Editor, Piero Mura - Sound Editor, John Kwiatkowski - Sound Editor, Adam Kopald - Sound Editor, Charles W. Ritter - Sound Editor, Gilbert Combs - Stunts, Jeannie Epper - Stunts, Fred Waugh - Stunts, Donna Evans - Stunts, Michael Brady - Stunts, Scott Waugh - Stunts, Larry Rippenkrogger - Stunts, Scott Hubbell - Stunts, Gary Combs - Stunts Coordinator, Margaret Hilliard - Unit Production Manager, Gina Wendkos - Screenwriter, Joelle Wilson - Production Assistant, Demetrius Griffin - Production Assistant, Blake Perkinson - Production Assistant, Randall Wilson - Production Assistant, Christie Kwan - Production Assistant, Kevin Law - Production Assistant, Darin Hollings - Visual Effects Supervisor, Martin Blasick - Additional Music, Sue O'Grady - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Rose Ordile - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Debbie Silverman - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Paws for Effects - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Sandy O'Neill - Unit Publicist, Andrea Bottigliero - Additional Editing, Liza McDonald - Additional Editing, Tommy Klines - First Assistant Camera, Paul Plannette - First Assistant Camera, Felix A. Rivera - Gaffer, Robert E. Powell - Gaffer, Bobby "Nice" Arrendondo - Grip, Sam Escobar - Grip, Mark Hyde - Grip, Jeff Tomhave - Grip, Loren Corl - Key Grip, Don Henderson - Key Grip, Orlando Orona - Key Grip, Jordan Corngold - Music Editor, Sharon Heather Smith - Music Editor, Shannon Reid Wynne - Post Production Coordinator, Christine Altomari - Production Coordinator, Karen S. Alvarez - Production Supervisor, Mychael Bates - Properties Master, Mel Metcalfe - Re-Recording Mixer, Terry Porter - Re-Recording Mixer, Dean A. Zupancic - Re-Recording Mixer, Carol De Pasquale - Script Supervisor, Thomy Harper - Second Assistant Director, Larz Anderson - Special Effects Coordinator, R. Ronald Batzdorff - Still Photographer, Todd Toon - Supervising Sound Editor, Diane Fazio - Visual Effects Producer, Heidi Klein - Additional Casting, Robin Klein - Additional Casting, Doc Kane - ADR Mixer, Jeannette Browning - ADR Recordist, Jessica Peel - Assistant Costumer Designer, Ricardo Delgado - Assistant Chief Lighting Technician, Janice Alexander - Assistant Hair, Stacy Williams - Assistant Location Manager, Stacey B. Brashear - Assistant Location Manager, Nanci Chin - Assistant Location Manager, Janie Graves - Assistant Location Manager, Karin Shaw - Assistant Location Manager, Nancy Wong - Assistant Location Manager, Donna Yick - Assistant Location Manager, Leonard Engelman - Assistant Makeup, Nicki Johnson - Assistant Production Coordinator, Chuck Askerneese - Assistant Properties, Kenny Montante - Assistant Properties, John "Johnny O" Ornelas - Assistant Properties, Mark A. Tracy - Assistant Sound Editor, Jerry L. Marshall - Best Boy Grip, Jim Renteria - Casting Assistant, Jacqueline Carlson - Casting Associate, Daniel Riffel - Chief Lighting Technician, John J. Rutchland III - Construction Coordinator, Bruce Ericksen - Costumes Supervisor, Andreas Crawford - Dolly Grip, Dave Lujan - Electrician, Ray Gonzales - Electrician, Chris Wiekliewicz - Electrician, Beau Bonneau Casting - Extra Casting, Pam Ellington - First Assistant Accountant, Peter T. Tackaberry - First Assistant Editor, Denny Thorlaksen - First Assistant Editor, John Cucci - Foley Artist, Dan O'Connell - Foley Artist, Robin Borman-Wizan - Key Costumer, Mark Woods - Leadman, Jim Demarco - Post Production Accountant, Gail Martin Sheridan - Production Accountant, Paul Gonsoulin - Second Assistant Camera, Jeff Pelton - Second Assistant Camera, Nathan R. Fitzgerald - Second Assistant Editor, Paula Harris - Second Second Assistant Director, Monique "Mo" Landry - Set Dresser, Meg Cabot - Book Author, David Hadder - Cable Person, Alan D Laslovich - Construction Foreman, James Ashwill - Foley Mixer, Linda Lew - Foley Recordist, Debora Seaman - Foley Recordist, Buena Vista Negative Cutting - Negative Cutter, Lalida Chirasheve - Production Secretary, Bryan Palliccia - Production Secretary, Jean Quay - Set Medic/First Aid, Linda Stelling - Set Medic/First Aid, G.W. Brown - Supervising ADR Editor, Mark "Travis" Little - Swing Gang, Richard Scarpone - Video Assist, Daniel Arkin - Visual Effects Editor, Robb Boyd - Assistant Music Editor, Peter Myles - Assistant Music Editor, Amy Pfaffinger - Compositor, Winston Quitasol - Compositor, Charles Meredith - Compositor
It was released to North American theatres on August 3, 2001 and peaked at number three in the box office. The Princess Diaries produced ticket sales well over its production budget.
Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is a fifteen-year-old tenth grade private school student who lives with her mother Helen Thermopolis (Caroline Goodall) and her cat, Fat Louie, in a San Franciscofirehouse. Her father, Philippe Renaldi (who was divorced but in touch with her) died two months earlier in a car crash. Although Mia is an average student, she is very unpopular, but has two good friends: Lilly Moscovitz (Heather Matarazzo) and Lilly's older brother, Michael Moscovitz (Robert Schwartzman).
Shortly before Mia's sixteenth birthday, she learns from her mother that her paternal grandmother is visiting from Genovia, a fictional country in Europe (which bears some similarity to the actual Republic of Genoa). At first Mia does not want to see her, but agrees later. The next day, Mia meets her grandmother, Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), at the Genovian consulate for the first time, who explains that the reason she wanted to see her was because of a "life-changing" problem. She learns that her father was the crown prince of Genovia and she is the next crown princess of Genovia and the only heir to the Genovian throne because of her father's death. She was shocked to learn that she is a princess.
Mia's mother and grandmother convince her to attend "princess lessons" in preparation for her introduction to the Genovian government, under supervision from her new bodyguard, the head of Genovian security, Joseph (Héctor Elizondo). To look more presentable to the Genovian government, Mia receives a makeover from Italian hairdresser Paolo (Larry Miller).
A couple of days later, the San Francisco Chronicle learns that Mia is the Genovian heir after Paolo tells the media so everybody will know that he is the one that made Princess Mia look like a princess. Although unimpressed, Clarisse opts to ignore the situation and prepares for the State Dinner, which Mia attends. The day after the State Dinner, Mia agrees to appear on Lilly's public-access television program Shut Up and Listen and to watch Michael's band perform at a venue that Saturday night. Mia is almost 16 so she is almost able to drive a car, (her "baby", a Ford Mustang.) She takes a test drive with her grandmother and takes her to the arcade, and buys her a corndog. When they are driving back, Mia's grandmother tries to teach Mia of knowing what to use when driving a car. All goes well until Mia catches a very steep hill which causes her to crash into a bus load.
Josh asks Mia to go with him to the Baker Beach Bash, the school's annual beach party, and she excitedly agrees. She remembers to tell Michael that she will watch his band the following Saturday night, but forgets to tell Lilly of the change. The beach party goes well at first, but spirals out of control when the media learn of Mia's presence. Josh publicly embarrasses her by kissing her in front of photographers. This causes a media frenzy and displeases Clarisse. Clarisse then gets a wake up call from Joe, telling her that she has to remember that although Mia is a princess, and the heir to her throne, Mia is still her granddaughter. To reconstruct her friendships with Lilly and Michael, Mia invites them to the Genovian Independence Day Ball, where she must reveal whether or not she wants to accept her duties as a princess. Originally intent on running away to Colorado because she wants to avoid renouncing her throne with a speech (Mia is terrible at public speaking), Mia finds a sixteenth birthday gift and letter from her father, written before his death. After reading the letter, she changes her mind and makes her way to the ball, as it begins raining. Her car's roof will not go up though, so she is stuck driving in the rain and her car breaks down when she attempts to go up an incredibly steep hill. Joe finds her drenched halfway to the event. Upon arrival, Mia makes a speech announcing her acceptance to the Genovian throne. Michael then takes her outside where they share their first kiss and become a couple. Clarisse and Joe also walk out of the Genovian consulate holding hands, showing sparks of a relationship.
Héctor Elizondo, who appears in all the films which Garry Marshall directs,[3] plays Joseph "Joe", the head of Genovian security. Garry Marshall's daughter, Kathleen Marshall, plays Clarisse's secretary Charlotte Kutaway. Charlotte's surname is mentioned only in the credits, and Garry Marshall says it is a reference to how she is often used in cutaway shots. In one scene, Robert Schwartzman's real-life group Rooney makes a cameo playing a garage band named Flypaper, whose lead singer is Michael, played by Schwartzman.
The book was set in New York City, but the film's location was changed to San Francisco because Marshall's granddaughters lived there. West coast radio personalities Mark & Brian appear as themselves.
The film opened to $22,862,269 from 2,537 theaters in the U.S. and ended its run with $165,335,153 worldwide. Reviews were mostly mixed as Rotten Tomatoes came up with a 47% rotten rating with 52 out of 111 critics recommending the movie.
