"Cinderella"

Title: Cinderella

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Writer: Chris Weitz

Category: Drama, Family, Fantasy

Duration: 105 min

Rate:  

Once again, I found myself reviewing movies that I watched ages ago. However, I didn't want to leave behind this particular film because I was pleasantly surprised by it and I truly enjoyed watching it. 

If you expect something new from this live action adaptation of Cinderella, don't watch it because this is exactly what you will get. In my opinion, along with Maleficent, this is one of the best adaptation made so far both for cinematography, screenplay and acting. 

Everyone knows the story of Cinderella so I'm not going to talk about the plot. What made this movie special, romantic and a feast for the eyes was Kenneth Branagh's cinematography and the perfect casting choice for Prince Charming, or Kit, and Cinderella, Ella, as well as all the other talented actors in the cast ensemble. 

As many of you might know already, Kenneth Branagh comes from a theatre background and it's precisely his background that shaped and influenced his work as a director. His style resembles a baroque painting, full of bright and vivid colours. Everything becomes warmer and richer through his lens. He adds a golden patina the improves the idea of a fairy tale from the beginning. However, he wasn't just the cinematography that made the movie enjoyable. It was the cast ensemble and the delicate chemistry between the leading actors that made the story believable. Lily James and Richard Madden brought to life a well known story and highlighted new features that made the tale unique once again. 

Cinderella acquires a strength that it wasn't there before, she is not only selfless she is also strong and she is the one who is saving herself fighting for her future and her love. Richard Madden instead brought a vulnerability to his character that I never thought belonged to the courageous prince charming. Both characters became well rounded without losing the main characteristics that made them famous. A special mention goes for the tremendous Cate Blanchett. She was the perfect evil stepmother, however, even her character acquired a new depth, she was able to show the fragility and insecurity hidden behind the cruel façade. 

 All in all Cinderella proves in its little details how it can be possible to bring back to life a faithful adaptation of a fairy tale, adding special new features that are there to give a fresh spin to the story without diverging too much.