“I want to tell you a secret that will see you through all the trials life has to offer. Have courage and be kind.”

When I think of Cinderella, I think of the original Disney animated film that was released in 1950, it is part of my extensive Disney collection. But in the past years, we’ve seen Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella musical (1997) with Whitney Houston as the fairy godmother and Brandy (Moesha) as Cinderella. Then in 1998, there was another version entitled Ever After featuring Anjelica Houston (Trouble and the Adams Family) as the evil stepmother and Drew Barrymore (Charlie’s Angels and Scream) as Cinderella. And now Cinderella (2015) with an all-star cast—Cate Blanchett (Hobbits and Elizabeth) as the evil stepmother, Lily James (Pride and Prejudice; Mamma Mia) as Cinderella, and Helena Bonham Carter (Alice and Harry Potter) as the fairy godmother.

Disney has been converting their animated films into live-action films for quite some time and although 9 years old this offering gives us more of a backstory on Cinderella’s mother who attributed much to her daughter’s moral character and explains her positive outlook on life despite the hand dealt her after the loss of her father—who though a kindly soul felt his daughter needed a mother figure—his intentions were well meant but his choice was not.

However, in this story, we learn that Cinderella stayed in such deplorable conditions not because she had to but because her parents loved their home and she chose to live her life vicariously through that love.

We all know how the rest of the story goes…

Her evil stepmother tried everything in her power to prevent Cinderella from trying on that glass slipper—even to the point of lying to the king’s chancellor and threatening her before one of the king’s men. Because of her singing, she was released from her attic prison, Before trying on the slipper, Cinderella confessed to the prince who she really was—and he accepted her for herself. After trying on the slipper, as the prince and Cinderella were leaving, she turned around—looked at her stepmother, and said, ‘I forgive you” and then proceeded out the door and closed it behind her. Here I thought of Joseph–-Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day… (Genesis 50:19-20 NKJV)

Cinderella was released in 2015 is 1h 45m, and rated PG. Can be seen on Disney+, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home for $3.99. Google Play Movie, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video for $3.79

Director: Kenneth Branagh.
Writers: Chris Weitz and Charles Perrault.
Stars: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, and Richard Madden.

We give Cinderella

The main characters portrayed their parts well, the costumes and set designs were beautiful—true to the time, and the storyline was close to the original narrative in teaching us how to thrive in circumstances that are not the best and how to treat others the way we want to be treated no matter how they treat us. Never let any circumstance or trial change who you truly are. The greatest lesson here is forgiveness is key. When you forgive you can shut the door of the past and look forward to a bright future just like Joseph! This is a great movie for the entire family to enjoy—it may be 9 years old, but the moral lessons are timeless.

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