"Once upon a time, there lived a girl..."
EVER AFTER (PG-13) 
Reviewed August 2, 1998 - Check out the Ever After Website.
We all know the Cinderella story, right? A servant child, an evil stepmother, two wicked stepsisters, a prince, a grand ball, and a glass slipper? Well, it's all here once again in Ever After, a film directed by Andy Tennant (Fools Rush In) and starring Drew Barrymore as the spirited Danielle (a.k.a. Cinderella), Anjelica Huston as the evil stepmother Rodmilla, and Dougray Scott as the smitten Prince Henry. I won't dwell on the plot as it's all very familiar to you, so let me just get to the point: Ever After is a sparklingly warm, funny, romantic and charming film, and it's one I'd definitely recommend seeing.
Yeah, you heard me! This 1998 version of the 16th Century fairy tale is handled in a delightfully refreshing manner, offering us a Cinderella who is opinionated, intelligent, and perfectly capable of taking care of herself, as well as supporting characters who are quite entertaining in their own right. Gone from the story are the fairy godmother and the magic pumpkin, and in its place are rich setpieces and spirited attitudes, punctuated by shots of humor that will have you laughing out loud time and time again. Drew Barrymore is wonderful as the tomboyish Cinderella, balancing the character's strengths and vulnerabilities without making her seem weak (or schizophrenic). For her part, Huston is very effective in her wickedness as Rodmilla, often saying as much with a look as with any words she utters. Along with an effective supporting cast, the total effect is...well...magical, giving us a surprisingly rich, fresh and engaging movie suitable for the entire family*. This is a good one, folks...try not to ignore it just because you think you know the story. After all, aren't fairy tales supposed to surprise us once in a while?
* As far as I can tell, the PG-13 rating for this film is for one instance of profanity and some mild violence, but based on the content this could easily pass as a PG film.
Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!
nena18_99@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "The
best version I have heard of the Cinderella Story!!! It awakens every
feeling hidden in hte most inner part of yourself! You laugh, you cry,
you soar, you dream, and most of all, you fall in love with a grat-looking
newcomer actor(Dougray Scott) " (6/1/01)
Eoakwell@BTInternet.com
gives this movie stars: "Drew
Barrymore in my view is underated. In this she is very good, the best out
of the cast." (12/12/00)
JulietKP76@aol.com
gives this movie stars: "This
was the most amazing movie. The acting was wonderful, and I loved the spin
on the old fairytale. It's my fav. movie, and definetly should be seen!!
:)" (4/28/00)
hoops83@cleanweb.net
gives this movie stars: "This
is one of the best movies i've seen in a long time. my friends and i all
love it. this movie deserves as many stars as it can get!!!" (9/10/99)
jessfroggy@prodigy.net
gives this movie stars: "This
movie was really good movie most of those king and queen movies suck but
this one was good . Its a great story with a good ending and a good cast" (8/18/99)
shotgunshells@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "This
movie was excellent! I wouldn't really call it a FAMILY movie, NOT THAT
IT'S NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN, but I don't think it would really keep
YOUNG children interested. Excellent preformance, although it's HARDLY
"A Cinderella Story" I don't know if it would be as GOOD if it
WAS a TRUE Cinderella story, so that's why I give it 4 stars. It's REALLY
GOOD, just not the 5-star masterpeice" (7/27/99)
azpz@wcvt.com gives
this movie 
stars: "this
enchanting cinderella story with Drew Barrymore was wonderful. a first
rate production with wonderful acting. it made me laugh and cry. i loved
it." (4/2/99)
May_2000@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "It
was the greatest movie I ever saw!!! Drew Barrymore is at her best performance
so long, and the supporting actors were just so... so good! I think it's
2, 3 or even 4 times better than Titanic! If I could give 10 stars , I
would do it ! YOU MUST SEE IT !!!!" (3/31/99)
gillianlover@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "Some
really bad acting here, however Anjelica Houston is a cinematic force to
be reckoned with and the setting and costume design were good. Drew Barrymore
decent; the prince weak. " (1/14/99)
Christine Buettgen gives this movie stars: "This
was the most well acted and romantic movie I have seen in a long time.
I think that Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott are great, and you are great
for creating this website. Thank you!" (10/19/98)
orrbit@mfi.net gives
this movie stars: "Not
the best but good" (10/10/98)
Debster437@aol.com
gives this movie stars: "What
a refreshing movie! I have seen it 10 times and plan to see it again, as
well as own it when it comes out on video. I am captivated by the movie,
and the soundtrack by George Fenton should earn an Oscar nomination. I
personally think it should be nominated for Best Picture, although I know
the voters probably do not feel the same way. I loved the fact that the
Prince and Cinderella could fall in love - not into bed! Dougray Scott
was absolutely awesome, as was Drew Barrymore. I hope to see more of Mr.
Scott in the future!" (10/2/98)
Jennifer_Gearhart@baylor.edu says: "This is the best love story I have seen in years. The costumes were incredible! I loved it!" (9/23/98)
Alex Browne gives this movie stars: "I
think it was the best cinderella story cause they didnt use magic + They
had a great cast and setting. It had great beginning, middle and end.I
defintly want to buy it when. it comes out on video. It was just an awesome
film ." (9/13/98)
d.davidson@mindspring.com
gives this movie stars: "It's
The Best!!!!!!!" (9/9/98)
everafter100@yahoo.com
gives this movie stars: "When
I saw the movie I Knew right away that I would see it a million times!!!
I have to say that Ever After is number 1 on my list right now!!!!!!!!" (9/1/98)
jacksldf@msn.com
gives this movie stars:
"After watching this movie, I began to wonder what it is about Cinderela
stories that are so appealing. From the "Glass Slipper" with
Leslie Caron, to both "Sabrinas" with Audry Hepborn and later
with Harrison Ford, to "Pretty Woman" and many others, People
adore Cinderela stories. I thought the appeal was the change process and
the rescue of the damsel in distress. "Ever After" did not have
the same helpless poor girl getting a handsome prince. It proves that it's
love after all that conquers all!" (8//6/98)
