First off, I love just about any re-telling of the classic Fairy Tale of "Cinderella". From the beautiful Disney Film, all the way to Shelley Duvall's 'Faerie Tale Theatre' version with Jennifer Beals and Matthew Broderick. So back in 2000 I bought this DVD sight unseen. I figured, 'C'mon, it's Cinderella!'. Also, I had heard about this UK produced film for a long time, and knew it had established a cult following. Right up my alley people. WOW was I disappointed. Dis-a-pointed!! Twenty minutes in, and I was bored out of my mind. Not one single song had a strong melody, and the lyrics were forgettable. Nothing was engaging me. I kept telling myself 'It will get better - It will get better'. It just didn't. I have never seen a musical where the camera stayed so very still. There was none of that 'flow' that most great musicals have (See: "My Fair Lady", "Funny Girl", "Oklahoma", "Grease", "The Sound of Music", "Oliver", "Chicago", "West Side Story", etc.) You know, that uplifting spell that only a special musical can cast. Remember what it was like the first time you saw "My Fair Lady"? THAT's the feeling.
I do love The Sherman Brothers' people. I do. So Imagine my shock at how bad the music was. These are the guys who did "Mary Poppins", "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", and even "The Parent Trap"! So I just could not get over how dead and uninspired every single song was. The minute the song was over, I could not remember a note. Most good musicals leave you with at least ONE song you are humming by the end. Even so, I carried on, and forced myself to watch the entire movie, and found it utterly painful to get through. When I was done, I went on line to see what others thought, and I was shocked to read all the raves, and I wondered "Did I watch the same movie?" Upon further investigation I found out that the film was universally panned by critics and audiences alike, both in the states and the UK. Phew. Which then made me question all these other people on the internet who were calling this "The BEST MOVIE EVER!" What? The best movie ever? Huh? God no! I tried to then look at it as a 'guilty pleasure', but I found no pleasure in watching this movie. I've been known to like a guilty pleasure or two myself...I mean I own "Grease 2" on DVD. But at least I was humming 'Cool Rider' on the way out of the theater people!
Time passed, and I re-discovered the Lesley Anne Warren version from 1965. That brought back wonderful childhood memories for me. While the show does not hold up well by today's standards, it was warm and fun, and every song is a winner. Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote such a lovely score that stands the test of time. Then came the 1997 version on ABC. To my complete shock and joy, I loved it. I mean, LOVED IT. The movie has wit, color, style and heart. I was completely moved and entertained from beginning to end. I laughed out loud at Whoopi Goldberg's hilarious Queen, and appropriately loathed Bernadette Peter's inspired evil Step Mother. Actually, I was surprised Bernadette was over-looked at Emmy time. Brandy brought a sweetness and a modern twist to the role, and Pablo Montalban was literally perfect as the Prince. Every aspect of the production was top notch, and stunning. This production was the first real endeavor from the wonderful artists that would eventually bring us "Chicago". So THAT'S why the choreography and camera work was so amazing! Bravo to the entire company for finally producing THE DEFINITIVE MUSICAL VERSION OF "CINDERELLA".
So anyway, a few years passed, and it was time to give "The Slipper and The Rose" another go. I got all comfortable and cozy on a lazy Sunday and put in the DVD. WOW, it was even worse then I remembered. The choreography and staging was stunted and amateurish. I felt embarrassed for the filmmakers at ever attempt of wit and cleverness that flopped miserably. This film was directed by Bryan Forbes, who just came off of "The Stepford Wives" at the time, which had the same slowness to it, but that worked for that film. It's as if he is a one-note director who attempts different genres, but uses the same techniques. He clearly had no passion for this project. If he did, he was then definitely 'miscast' as the director, and not the man to be behind the camera for such an obviously large production. I will say this though, the gowns / costumes were beautiful to look at.
The sets were empty and over-sized. The cinematography was motionless and the color palette was dull. The acting by all was two dimensional and wooden. The singing was, oh god, the singing was horrible. Every single joke just fell flat. Again, I felt so bad for the filmmakers! If I can sum this review up in one sentence, I would have to say: Dull, uninspired, forgettable and a waste of two hours and twenty three minutes - Twice!!!
Do yourself a favor, watch the DVD of the 1997 Rodgers and Hammerstein version. It has magic in it, and is destined to become a classic.
I do love The Sherman Brothers' people. I do. So Imagine my shock at how bad the music was. These are the guys who did "Mary Poppins", "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", and even "The Parent Trap"! So I just could not get over how dead and uninspired every single song was. The minute the song was over, I could not remember a note. Most good musicals leave you with at least ONE song you are humming by the end. Even so, I carried on, and forced myself to watch the entire movie, and found it utterly painful to get through. When I was done, I went on line to see what others thought, and I was shocked to read all the raves, and I wondered "Did I watch the same movie?" Upon further investigation I found out that the film was universally panned by critics and audiences alike, both in the states and the UK. Phew. Which then made me question all these other people on the internet who were calling this "The BEST MOVIE EVER!" What? The best movie ever? Huh? God no! I tried to then look at it as a 'guilty pleasure', but I found no pleasure in watching this movie. I've been known to like a guilty pleasure or two myself...I mean I own "Grease 2" on DVD. But at least I was humming 'Cool Rider' on the way out of the theater people!
Time passed, and I re-discovered the Lesley Anne Warren version from 1965. That brought back wonderful childhood memories for me. While the show does not hold up well by today's standards, it was warm and fun, and every song is a winner. Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote such a lovely score that stands the test of time. Then came the 1997 version on ABC. To my complete shock and joy, I loved it. I mean, LOVED IT. The movie has wit, color, style and heart. I was completely moved and entertained from beginning to end. I laughed out loud at Whoopi Goldberg's hilarious Queen, and appropriately loathed Bernadette Peter's inspired evil Step Mother. Actually, I was surprised Bernadette was over-looked at Emmy time. Brandy brought a sweetness and a modern twist to the role, and Pablo Montalban was literally perfect as the Prince. Every aspect of the production was top notch, and stunning. This production was the first real endeavor from the wonderful artists that would eventually bring us "Chicago". So THAT'S why the choreography and camera work was so amazing! Bravo to the entire company for finally producing THE DEFINITIVE MUSICAL VERSION OF "CINDERELLA".
So anyway, a few years passed, and it was time to give "The Slipper and The Rose" another go. I got all comfortable and cozy on a lazy Sunday and put in the DVD. WOW, it was even worse then I remembered. The choreography and staging was stunted and amateurish. I felt embarrassed for the filmmakers at ever attempt of wit and cleverness that flopped miserably. This film was directed by Bryan Forbes, who just came off of "The Stepford Wives" at the time, which had the same slowness to it, but that worked for that film. It's as if he is a one-note director who attempts different genres, but uses the same techniques. He clearly had no passion for this project. If he did, he was then definitely 'miscast' as the director, and not the man to be behind the camera for such an obviously large production. I will say this though, the gowns / costumes were beautiful to look at.
The sets were empty and over-sized. The cinematography was motionless and the color palette was dull. The acting by all was two dimensional and wooden. The singing was, oh god, the singing was horrible. Every single joke just fell flat. Again, I felt so bad for the filmmakers! If I can sum this review up in one sentence, I would have to say: Dull, uninspired, forgettable and a waste of two hours and twenty three minutes - Twice!!!
Do yourself a favor, watch the DVD of the 1997 Rodgers and Hammerstein version. It has magic in it, and is destined to become a classic.