Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

The Princess Diaries

 
AMG AllMovie Guide:

The Princess Diaries

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

Cast

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, 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 Costume 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

Previous:The Princess Comes Across (1936 Film), The Princess Bride (1987 Film)
Next:The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004 Film), The Princess Stallion (1997 Film)
Search unanswered questions...
Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics
Wikipedia on Answers.com:

The Princess Diaries (film)

Top
The Princess Diaries

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Garry Marshall
Produced by Whitney Houston
Debra Martin Chase
Mario Iscovich
Screenplay by Gina Wendkos
Story by Meg Cabot
Starring Anne Hathaway
Heather Matarazzo
Julie Andrews
Héctor Elizondo
Mandy Moore
Robert Schwartzman
Erik Von Detten
Caroline Goodall
Kathleen Marshall
Music by John Debney
Cinematography Karl Walter Lindenlaub
Editing by Bruce Green
Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures
Release date(s) August 3, 2001 (2001-08-03)
Running time 115 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $26,000,000
Box office $168,335,153

The Princess Diaries is a 2001 comedy film produced by singer and actress Whitney Houston and directed by Garry Marshall. It is based on Meg Cabot's 2000 novel of the same name. The film stars Anne Hathaway (her film debut) as Mia Thermopolis, a teenager who discovers that she is the heir to the throne of the fictional Genovia, ruled by her grandmother, Queen dowager Clarisse Renaldi, who is portrayed by Julie Andrews. It also stars Heather Matarazzo as Mia's best friend Lilly Moscovitz, Héctor Elizondo as Renaldi's head of security, and Robert Schwartzman as Lilly's brother, who has a crush on Mia.

It was released to North American theatres on August 3, 2001 and peaked at number three in the box office. The Princess Diaries was a commercial success, grossing $165,335,153 worldwide. The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, the film's sequel, was released in August 2004.The role of the queen was intended for Sophia Loren who turned down it.

Contents

Plot

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 renovated San Francisco firehouse. Mia is an average student, but extremely unpopular. She is seemingly invisible to her crush, Josh Bryant (Erik von Detten) and his cheerleader girlfriend Lana Thomas (Mandy Moore). Mia, however, has one best friend: Lilly Moscovitz (Heather Matarazzo) as well as Lilly's brother Michael (Robert Schwartzman).

A few weeks before Mia's sixteenth birthday, Mia learns her paternal grandmother is visiting from Genovia, a small European country. Mia meets her grandmother, Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), at the Genovian consulate for the first time in her life. Clarisse explains that the reason she wanted to see her was because of a "life-changing" problem. Mia learns that her father was the crown prince of Genovia and, due to his recent death, she is now next in line and the only heir to the Genovian throne. She is shocked to learn that she is a princess and runs away, rejecting the whole idea.

Clarisse visits Mia and her mother the next morning and explains that if Mia refuses the throne, Genovia will be without a ruler. She also explains that Mia needs to be presented as their princess at the upcoming Genovian State Dinner. Helen convinces Mia to attend "princess lessons" with Clarisse, and that Mia doesn't have to make her decision quite yet on whether she accepts or rejects the throne until the annual Genovian Independence Day ball. Clarisse gives Mia a limousine to use as well as her own bodyguard, Joseph "Joe" (Héctor Elizondo).

Mia begins seeing her grandmother everyday after school for her lessons, which include table manners, dancing and personal presentation. The lessons soon begin to put Lilly on edge because of Mia's absence. After Mia receives a makeover from Italian hairdresser Paolo (Larry Miller), Lilly finally confronts her and accuses her of trying to be like the popular girls. Mia breaks down and tells Lilly everything, who's attitude changes completely. Mia makes Lilly promise not to tell anyone, not even Michael because Clarisse wanted to keep everything a secret until the Independence Day ball as to avoid a frenzy with the press.

Italian hairdresser Paolo steps in to give Mia a makeover.

However, the San Francisco Chronicle learns that Mia is the Genovian crown princess after Paolo breaks his confidentiality agreement. Although thoroughly annoyed, Clarisse presses onward and prepares for the State Dinner. Mia attends and is publicly humiliated via her klutziness.

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 vintage Ford Mustang.) She takes a test drive with her grandmother and they go to an arcade. Mia asks her grandmother if her father wanted to be prince, to which she replies yes, but adds that he thought of abdicating only once when he fell in love with Mia's mother. However, he realized his love for his country was greater.

While driving back to the Genovian consulate, Mia's car fails on a hill and rams into a trolley loaded with people. No one is hurt, but the police are called. To save Mia a trip to the police station (she was driving without a license), Clarisse names the police man and trolley master to the Genovian Order of the Rose (a fictional honor made up on the spot). The men are so flattered that Clarisse and Mia are given a ride back to the consulate in a police car.

Josh, a cute boy on whom Mia has a crush, asks Mia to go with him to the school's annual beach party. She excitedly agrees. Michael and Lilly are both hurt when Mia blows them off for the popular kids. Mia's mother wisely points out Josh never liked her before all this princess business. Mia ignores this observation.

The beach party goes well at first, but spirals out of control when the media learns of Mia's presence. Josh uses her to get his fifteen minutes of fame by publicly kissing Mia and three jealous popular girls embarrass Mia in front of the paparazzi, resulting in photos of her in only a towel.

The unflattering photos wind up on tabloid covers and this displeases Clarisse. Then, Clarisse tells Mia that she could still go to the ball and invite her friends, except Josh. Joe, however, reminds Clarisse that although Mia is a princess, she is still a teenager and Clarisse's granddaughter. To reconstruct her friendships with Lilly and Michael, Mia apologizes and invites them to the Genovian Independence Day Ball, where she must reveal whether or not she wants to accept her duties as a princess.

Upon learning she must personally and publicly renounce her throne, the terrified Mia plans to run away. She is stopped when she finds a sixteenth birthday gift (the titular diary) and a letter from her father written before his death. Touched by his words, she changes her mind and makes her way to the ball. Her car breaks down on the way, but she is saved by Joe, who arrives with a limo (having suspected her runaway plans).

When they arrive, Mia makes a speech announcing her acceptance of the Genovian throne. She shares her first dance with Michael, who then takes her outside to the palace garden where they kiss. Clarisse and Joe are seen holding hands, signifying the start of a relationship. The last scene shows Mia on the plane with Joe and her cat. Mia is writing in her diary, explaining that she is moving to Genovia, her mother is moving with her, and Lily and Michael will visit her during the summer. When Mia looks out the plane's window she sees the beautiful palace of Genovia below.

Cast

Production

The film was produced by Whitney Houston and Debra Martin Chase and directed by Garry Marshall. Anne Hathaway was hired for the role of Mia because Garry Marshall's granddaughters saw her audition tape and said she had the best "princess hair."[1]

Héctor Elizondo, who appears in all the films which Garry Marshall directs,[2] 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. West coast radio personalities Mark & Brian appear as themselves.

According to Hathaway, the first choice for the role of Mia Thermopolis was Liv Tyler, but the studio preferred to cast unfamiliar faces.

Soundtrack

Reception

The film opened in 2,537 theaters in North America and grossed $22,862,269 in its opening weekend. It grossed $165,335,153 worldwide—$108,248,956 in North America and $57,086,197 in other territories.[3]

Reviews for the film were mixed. Rotten Tomatoes reported that 46% of 110 sampled critics gave the film positive reviews and that it got a rating average of 5.1 out of 10.[4]

Accolades

Year Award For Notes
2002 ALMA Award - Outstanding Song in a Motion Picture Soundtrack "Miracles Happen" by Myra Nominated
ASCAP Top Box Office Film John Debney Won
Artios Award - Best Casting for Feature Film, Comedy Marcia Ross
Donna Morong
Gail Goldberg
Nominated
BFCA Award - Best Family Film - Live Action
Golden Trailer Award - Best Animation/Family
Hollywood Makeup Artist Hair Stylist Guild Award - Best Contemporary Makeup - Feature Hallie D'Amore
Leonard Engelman
MTV Movie Award - Breakthrough Female Performance Anne Hathaway
Teen Choice Award - Film - Choice Actress, Comedy Anne Hathaway
Teen Choice Award - Film - Choice Movie, Comedy
Young Artist Award - Best Family Feature Film - Comedy Won

References

  1. ^ The Princess Diaries DVD commentary. A behind-the-scenes look at the film's production. Retrieved October 9, 2006.
  2. ^ "Hector Elizondo: Humor, Eloquence & Bongos". Screen Actors Guild Foundation. July 30, 2002. Retrieved October 9, 2006.
  3. ^ "The Princess Diaries". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=princessdiaries.htm. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
  4. ^ "The Princess Diaries (2001)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/princess_diaries/. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 

External links


 
 

 

Copyrights:

AMG AllMovie Guide. Copyright © 2012 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Movie Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia on Answers.com. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article The Princess Diaries (film) Read more

Follow us
Facebook Twitter
YouTube

Mentioned in

» More» More