breakdownthatfilm-blogspot-com There are many ways to tell a story, but only a few of them work as an original piece. It's an odd saying, but it's possible. This version of Cinderella does perform well with updating the material. Yet, every part was still predictable. I don't see the connection. The scenes were original but the order that they came in, were too obvious. How did writer Leigh Dunlap miss that?The story of this movie runs fairly parallel to its predecessors. An attractive female is bullied and annoyed by her stepfamily and "more popular" people in high school. That is, until she runs into the guy of her dreams. Playing the "Cinderella" character (Sam Montgomery), who works constantly at her father's diner, is Hilary Duff. Duff was a great choice because of her girly figure and innocent voice. Her prince charming is Chad Michael Murray and he's also a good choice because of his masculine build and gentle voice. Not to mention, both Duff and Murray look lovely together.The rest of the co-stars are wonderful additions too. Dan Byrd is funny as Sam's close friend due to how prone he is at getting himself in awkward situations. Even Sam's diner co-workers have their great moments too. And it's great to see that they are there to support her as well. Jennifer Coolidge was an accurate choice for Sam's stepmother. One of the best parts is when she's swerving on the road and can't show an upset face because her botox treatment did not wear off yet. How embarrassing! And the stepsisters are no better either.The whole idea of having the original story modernized was an ample touch. Instead of having a fairy godmother and being magically given a dress, she's given a gorgeous dress from a close friend at work. Rather than having the magic spell dissipate, Sam had a timer of when to let her know that she had to leave the dance. And in place of the glass slipper that was left behind, was her cell phone. All the substitutions were amusing to see because they made Sam have an exact "Cinderella" story but without the magic.The music by Christophe Beck was a nice addition as well. His ability to create the feelings for when they are needed is done pleasingly. One other thing I didn't see possible though was how Murray's character was able to set up search and rescue fliers for the "Cinderella" character that he danced with. Doesn't he have classes? I mean he is a teenager and he's looking for his date but schools don't allow match findings to become public on school walls. How did he get away with that? Is that he that good looking?The transitions between scenes are quite obvious but the direction is great as a modernized rendition. The characters are welcoming, as is the way the plot follows through.

kiley72 Kiley Marriott June 14th, 2012 LA II Movie review A Cinderella StoryA Cinderella Story is a movie inspired by the classic "Cinderella" princess fairytale, put into a real-life teen scenario, sprinkled with some over-exaggeration and high school stereotypes. The family-friendly romance is played by the gorgeous Hilary Duff and the handsome Chad Michael Murray, accompanied with Jennifer Coolidge. Although the actors are quite well-recognized, the rest of the crew is not. A Cinderella Story was directed by Mark Rosman (The man who also directed the Lizzie McGuire TV series) and released in 2004 by Warner Bros. When Sam Montgomery (Hilary Duff) loses her father at an early age his dreadful wife Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge), who can also be referred to as the Evil Stepmother, takes over Sam's life making her attend high school, work as a diner girl (At Fionas inherited business) and erasing any chance Sam has at a successful future. The only good things in Sam's life are her best friend Carter, her co-worker Rhonda, and her secret admirer/internet pen pal, "Nomad." High school life is made dreadful for Sam by the popular kids, Shelby, Shelby's crew, Shelby's boyfriend Austin Ames, and Sam's "Evil stepsisters" Brianna & Gabriella. The story takes place in the San Fernando Valley, California, present day. Tormented by her evil step mom Fiona, Sam Montgomery's life isn't the slightest bit easy. Between working full time, attending high school, and secretly trying to save up for college, poor Sam's stress levels are escalating. I won't even mention how Shelby, the popular girl at school, has to go out of her way to embarrass Sam every chance she gets, constantly calling her "Diner Girl" and making sly remarks to her unpopularity. The only thing that keeps pushing Sam forward is her texting pal "Nomad," whom she's never met in person but seems to be quite the Prince Charming. They both dream of attending Princeton College and getting away from everyone in their town, if only their parents weren't holding them back. When "Nomad" wittingly tells Sam to meet him at the Halloween school dance, in the center of the dance floor, she overloads, feeling all too excited and nervous at once. After her best friends Rhonda and Carter talk her into going and set her up with a dress and masquerade mask, she flees to the dance only to find out Fiona wants her at the diner at midnight, and Fiona can't find out Sam attended the dance. Finally, Sam makes it to the center of the dance floor, where she meets "Nomad," who is no letdown, he is actually the beautiful Austin Ames. The two share a romantic dance together but before Sam can tell Austin who she really is, she realizes she has to get back to the diner pronto! Sam races back to the diner, just in time to play it off as though she's been working and through a series of events, Sam and Austin end up together. Glamour and luxury become nonexistent in Fiona's life after the police find out she had lied about Sam's father's will, and "Diner Girl" becomes "Princeton-bound Girl" along with her "Prince Charming" Austin. A big part of this movie is when Fiona storms into the diner, knocking down a guitar (And wallpaper with it) revealing the words "DON'T LET THE FEAR OF STRIKING OUT KEEP YOU FROM PLAYING THE GAME." I believe the theme of this movie is to go after what you want, don't let others get in the way of your happiness. If you feel like you belong somewhere in life, get there. You need to strive for it, push for it, make it happen. If Sam had not worked so hard in school and taken chances to meet "Nomad" she never would have gotten either. Sam dreamed, Sam desired, Sam succeeded. You can too. A Cinderella Story can easily be applied to anyone's everyday life. We all know someone who is that drama queen, stuck up kid, or stereotypical snob; someone who only thinks of themselves, wears way too much makeup or reads far too many magazines; someone who puts way too much of their time in making others happy, never gives themselves a break, and dreams of something that seems so hard to reach. The characters in this movie can be compared to tons of people we know and the lessons learned in this movie are all ones we have to accept some time in our lives. The storyline and message of this movie are basically written out for us, not hidden between twisted meanings. You have to work towards what you want, overcome who brings you down, find what makes you happy and never let go. I enjoyed this movie because it contains no twisted story lines, nor gruesome torture, nor haunting tales. A Cinderella Story is simply a cute movie with a fairy-tale feel. By my judgment, I would recommend A Cinderella Story to anyone who is just looking for a easygoing love story. Knowing a basic boy, this movie probably isn't for you. However, if you are looking for a feel-good cinema and an all age show, pop this film in your DVD player and laugh along with some cheesy jokes and big smiles.

lisafordeay I got this on DVD and I used to be obsessed with it as I watched it every day but my DVD of it broke so now I have it on VHS and I really liked it.Hilary Duff plays Sam Montgomery a girl who's dad died in the earthquake and she lives with her Barbie plastic stepmother from hell Fiona(Jennifer Coolidge) and her two bratty step sisters Brianna & Gabriella.She meets a guy online who she doesn't even know and they decide to meet at the Halloween dance. The thing is that the secret admirer is no other than Austin Ames(Chad Micheal Murray) who is the school's quarter backer and he is dating Shelby Cummings who Sam's best friend Carter secretly fancies.Of course she goes as Cinderella and meets Austin Ames who she becomes smitten with.But will he love her if he finds out that she is the diner girl??.The cast was cute especially Chad Micheal Murray who was adorable and Hilary Duff who was a great actress. The music is grand and the whole plot is a teenage version of Cinderella.A great film to watch on a lazy afternoon with your mates or if you want something to watch by yourself.I'll give it an 8/10

johnstonjames hey. nobody is going to pretend this is a great work of cinema. at least i don't think so. i guess taste can really differ so i don't know. i pretty much liked this because i like movies based on fairy tales. like how some people like movies about sci-fi or horror, i like movies about fairy tales. i love classic characters from fanciful literature like Cinderella, Snow White, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, etc. and this was a cute movie about a famous fairy tale.wasn't great like i said, but a lot more watchable than i thought it would be. still thought it was brain rot junk, but likable and entertaining enough. Hilary Duff was cute and Jennifer Coolidge was really funny as the step mother. the stepsisters were funny but, gross! did they really have to have a close up of the one sister's butt making a bubble fart in the pool?! eeeeeeew! maybe little kids find that funny but as an adult...i mean i was eating when that happened. yuk!cute movie though. Disney should have made this. but i guess Hilary Duff was the one that got away.