IMDb > Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (2002) (TV)

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Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   411 votes
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Director:
Writers (WGA):
Gregory Maguire (novel)
Gene Quintano (teleplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 March 2002 (USA) more
Plot:
A look at the classic "Cinderella" story from the perspective of one of her 'ugly' stepsisters full summary | add synopsis
NewsDesk:
50 Fascinating Madonna Facts
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User Comments:
Fabulous! The best retelling yet! more (17 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Confessions (USA) (short title)
Cruelle beauté (Canada: French title)
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Runtime:
90 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

FAQ

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16 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
Fabulous! The best retelling yet!, 28 October 2002
10/10
Author: Liza-19 from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

I am a big fan of fairy tales. Oh sure, I saw the Disney movies like any other kid, I've also read all the originals - even the original Grimms "Aschenputtel" in German - yes, I know the Cinderella story all the way around. I've seen probably every movie ever based on it (The Slipper and the Rose, The Glass Slipper, Ever After, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, Ash Pet... etc) This adaptation is my favorite beyond compare.

The Cinderella story is approached in a completely new light. Our heroine is the ugly stepsister (my one complaint: Azura Skye is far too beautiful for the role) who is trying to make her way in the world with a demanding mother, a simple sister, and a spoiled stepsister. Iris is a fabulous character, and more than I can say for any other production, she seems like a REAL person. She loves her family, and even loves Cinderella, despite the troubles she has with her. All of the characters are interesting and believable - the way the script is written, it's as if the story really could have happened. They did a much better job proving it here than in EVER AFTER.

Stockard Channing was perfectly cast as the stepmother. She's presented as not an evil witch, but a ferociously strong-willed woman who is out to survive at any cost. Oh, she is hard on Cinderella on occasion - and the girl certainly had it coming. Cinderella isn't presented as a completely spoiled girl, but rather one that is just to scared to make up her mind about where she wants to be. She stays among the ashes, the writer suggests, not because her stepmother forces her to, but because she's too frightened to face the real world.

I loved this movie from beginning to end. I'm also reading the book which is equally engrossing. It's too bad they left so much out of the movie that was in the book - Clara believing she's a changeling and Iris's belief of a demon in the house - but it's certainly understandable that they couldn't put everything in. I keep my fingers crossed that this will be released on DVD soon, because there is no other Cinderella story superior.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (2002) (TV)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
How was book more dark than movie? valemermaid
Book/movie question HELP!!!! maxvaughn
*spoiler* Ok we know how the story is suppose to end but.............. Mercuryvirgok
Best Gregory Maguire Book? pullmyhairout
online? christie_is_crazy
Reminds me of aliceingoreland
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