Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (2002) (TV)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Gavin Millar

Writers (WGA):

Gregory Maguire (novel)
Gene Quintano (teleplay)

Release Date:

10 March 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

Plot:

A look at the classic "Cinderella" story from the perspective of one of her 'ugly' stepsisters

Plot Keywords:

Cinderella | Fairy Tale | Retelling | Based On Novel

Cast

Stockard Channing	...	Margarethe Fisher Van Den Meer
Azura Skye	...	Iris Fisher
Trudie Styler	...	Fortune Teller
Emma Poole	...	Ruth Fisher
Jenna Harrison	...	Clara Van Den Meer
Jonathan Pryce	...	Master Schoenmacker
Matthew Goode	...	Casper
David Westhead	...	Van Den Meer
Malcolm Tierney	...	Van Stolk
Mark Dexter	...	The Prince
Helen Lindsay	...	Dowager Queen Maria de Medici
Janine Horsburgh	...	The Tutor
Ann Overstall Comfort	...	Dame Pruyn (as Anne Comfort)
Chris Bearne	...	Doctor
Pieter Riemens	...	Merchant

Also Known As:

Confessions (USA) (short title)
Cruelle beauté (Canada: French title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

Canada | Luxembourg

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Netherlands:MG6

Filming Locations:

Luxembourg

Company:

Alliance Atlantis Communications

Very good book, pretty good movie

When I finished the book _Confessions_ shortly before the movie aired on ABC, I was very impressed and quite interested to see how it would translate to film. The announced cast seemed a very good choice and the whole look of the movie was very fine indeed in the commercials. Now I've seen the movie. so how did it fare?

Well, as an adaptation of the book, there could've been some improvement. But as a film in general, it was a Sunday evening well-spent.

It _is_ a good thing that they did not try to stick right to the source, like the recent _Harry Potter_ movie. But it wasn't such a good idea to add magic to the movie, which was nonexistent in the book for a reason. It also would've been nice if they hadn't changed the whole story of Clara's mother, but as this was a 90-minute movie, it is excusable. However, some new or changed things were welcome. For instance, I enjoyed Stockard Channing's "nicer" (if you can say that) Margarethe. It was also probably better that they tightened up the characters. Ruth speaking was just as good as Ruth mute.

Performances were great as well. Stockard Channing is a standout as the meddling Margarethe. Azura Skye really is a charming Iris and Emma Poole has some excellent moments as Ruth. There isn't really a lot to say about Jenna Harrison as Clara, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Overall I was quite impressed with the cast.

_Confessions_ may not be the best translation, but it is admirable that they weren't afraid to be a bit different. There aren't many things I didn't like about it in general (although Ruth's big mouth in a certain scene was _way_, way too easy; and I didn't see it necessary that they add the Fortune Teller, but she was somewhat creepy in a good way), and there are some things I _really_ liked about it (the good parts are _really_ good). As a book adaptation, I'd give it a 6, but all in all, as a production, I'm torn between a 7 and an 8. Closer to an 8, I'm thinking.

Recommended.