Ever After (1998)

In 16th century France, after her father (Jeroen Krabbe) dies suddenly of a heart attack, a feisty young girl (Drew Barrymore) is at the mercy of her cruel and selfish stepmother (Anjelica Huston). But an encounter with a Prince (Dougray Scott) may change all that. This revisionist take on the Cinderella fairy tale attempts a more realistic telling of the tale. There's no magic here, no fairy Godmother, no mice who turn into coachmen, no coach turning into a pumpkin at midnight. Barrymore's Cinderella is no victim but a determining factor in her own fate and the Prince is given a more prominent part in the story. Even Huston's wicked stepmother resists the cliched stereotype, we see the woman behind the cruel facade. Elegantly shot by Andrew Dunn (PRECIOUS) in Dordogne, France; director Andy Tennant manages to infuse a fresh perspective, adding bite and zest while still keeping the charm of the original story. It's an ideal family film in that it doesn't condescend to children and provides a strong, intelligent screenplay for the grown ups. The lovely underscore is by George Fenton. Also in the cast: Jeanne Moreau, Melanie Lynskey, Toby Jones, Judy Parfitt, Timothy West, Richard O'Brien (ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW) and Megan Dodds.