A True Fairy Tale

This unique adaptation of Cinderella presents the tale in such a way that we are meant to believe it actually happened. There is no fairy godmother, no coach formerly known as pumpkin, no grand search for an unknown shoeless princess. Everything in this story could have occurred.

Danielle is a young girl living happily in France with her beloved father and his servants. Her mother is dead, and one day Dad brings home a new wife complete with two daughters. Danielle is ecstatic, but the woman and her older daughter are cold to her. They have been living together only a week when Danielle's father sets off on a trip and dies suddenly of a heart attack on his way down the driveway.

Flash forward ten years. Danielle is living in her father's house as a servant, and we find her in the pasture caring for the livestock when Prince Henry, who has run away from home, steals a horse right from under her nose. Furious, she knocks him off the horse with an apple, only to discover in horror that he is the prince. The prince assures her that she will not be punished and instead pays her handsomely for her silence.

The next day, Danielle disguises herself as a baroness and heads into town to buy back a servant whom her step-mother sold. She meets the prince again as she is trying to halt the wagon carrying the servant, and she passionately explains to him why this servant should be freed. He is impressed, and he orders the servant set free. Not recognizing Danielle as the girl who hit him with the apple, he begs her name and expresses his wish to see her again.

So begins the unusual friendship between the Henry and Danielle. Henry is a restless youth dissatisfied with his life and furious with his father's insistence that find a bride immediately. He strikes up a friendship with Leonardo da Vinci, who becomes a mentor to him and the counterpart of the Fairy Godmother to Danielle.

Danielle is a spunky but sweet young woman forced to live as a slave in her own home by her icy stepmother and her spoiled rotten eldest daughter. She is loved by the servants of the house, but they cannot protect her when her sharp wit and adventurous spirit get her into trouble.

Henry and Danielle seem diametrically opposed on many issues, but they find that they enjoy one another's company more and more with each encounter. Unfortunately, Henry still does not know who Danielle truly is, and when Danielle's stepmother discovers their relationship she is determined to destroy it. It is at that point that things get really messy, and the prince must decide whether he can follow his heart to be with the woman he loves despite her lowly position.

I love the classic Cinderella story, but I thoroughly enjoyed this take on it. The prince actually does something in this story; usually he only shows up for a few minutes in the story, and we barely get to know him at all. He is nicely developed in this movie as a confused young man trying to find his place in the world.

Drew Barrymore is lovely as Danielle. I generally don't enjoy her acting roles, but this is a notable exception. She rounds Cinderella out, giving her a past and just enough of a devilish streak to make her exciting.

Leonardo da Vinci is a charming grandfatherly figure every bit as appealing as the Fairy Godmother and much more believable. After all, we know he existed.

My favorite character has to be Jacqueline, though. The younger of Danielle's stepsisters, she is portly and gentle. Shy and quiet, she is trodden upon constantly by her sister and mother. She is kind Danielle, offering comfort and aid to her wherever possible. It is most gratifying to see her right alongside Danielle when she comes out on top.

The basic story of Cinderella remains, but it is drastically more complicated. The characters are much more three-dimensional, the situations more complex. With plenty of humorous moments and the inevitable happy ending, this is a great family film which can be enjoyed by all.