Cinderella

"Have courage and be kind." Cinderella's dying mother says to her. Hence begins the retelling of a classic tale. It's raw, human, and perfect. I cannot find one fault in this movie. It even employs every race of people in the movie. Directed by Kenneth Branaugh and written by Chris Weitz ("American Pie" and "About A Boy" fame), I give this 10 stars out of 5. It's that good. Why? Keep reading.
Lily James plays Ella, a happy GOOD child whose parents love and adore her. When her mother gets sick and passes away, Ella & her father grow very close. He remains single for years until he meets and marries a widow with two daughters. Enter Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine. They try to humanize her by explaining why she's so evil and I would by it except for ONE SMALL FACT: when she terrorizes Ella she has a smile on her face in front of and behind Ella's back. That's the ONE thing I didn't like. They tried to explain her, but ended up making the explanation pointless. Cate Blanchett is COMMANDING & PERFECTION as "The Evil Stepmother." Thankfully they didn't call the stepsisters UGLY just said "their insides radiate their outsides." Helena Bodnam Carter provides comic relief as the Fairy Godmother. Most notably Hayley Atwell (from "Marvel's Agent Carter") is unrecognizable and flawless as Ella's mother. And then there's Richard Madden aka Dougray Scott Jr with a tighter bum. He looks so much like Dougray it made me think it was a retelling of "Ever After" (my fave rendering of Cinderella next to "Pretty Woman").  Seems like an average review so why did I love it so much?

Unbeknownst to me with my adult eyes Cinderella is about bullying. Her name is Ella but when she sleeps next to the fire for warmth instead of climbing the stairs up to the attic (she willingly gave up her room to her stepsisters) ashes and cinder get on her face. The sisters nickname her Cinderella. From the stepsisters to the stepmother's cruelty towards her it's classic bullying and Ella takes it. Not because she's a fool, but because she is strong. She remembers her memories in the house, and love for her parents. That sees her through it all. It's really a tale of "It Gets Better." Someone is bullied and instead of running away she stands strong against all the odds and bad stuff. It's inspiring a tale. I hope this team retells all the other Disney movies too LOL especially "Snow White."

If you want to see a feel-good movie you'll RUN to see this from the acting, cinematography, sets, props, and the COSTUMES! Great movie for all ages.