Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

The Brothers Grimm arrive at the home of a wealthy Grande Dame who speaks of the many legends surrounding the fable of the cinder girl before telling the "true" story of her ancestor.

Director:

Andy Tennant

Writers:

Susannah Grant (screenplay), Andy Tennant (screenplay)

Stars:

Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott

6 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Drew Barrymore	...	Danielle
Anjelica Huston	...	Rodmilla
Dougray Scott	...	Prince Henry
Patrick Godfrey	...	Leonardo
Megan Dodds	...	Marguerite
Melanie Lynskey	...	Jacqueline
Timothy West	...	King Francis
Judy Parfitt	...	Queen Marie
Jeroen Krabbé	...	Auguste
Lee Ingleby	...	Gustave
Kate Lansbury	...	Paulette
Matyelok Gibbs	...	Louise
Walter Sparrow	...	Maurice
Jeanne Moreau	...	Grande Dame
Anna Maguire	...	Young Danielle

Storyline

Andy Tennant directed this Cinderella variant. The Brothers Grimm arrive at the home of a wealthy Grande Dame (Jeanne Moreau) who speaks of the many legends surrounding the fable of the cinder girl before telling the "true" story of her ancestor. In flashback, the story then focuses on eight-year-old Danielle, daughter of a wealthy widower, a 16th-century landowner. After returning to France with his new wife Rodmilla (Anjelica Huston) and her two daughters, he dies of a heart attack. Ten years later, Danielle (Drew Barrymore) is now treated as a servant by the trio. Fortunately, she has an encounter with Prince Henry (Dougray Scott), who is fleeing an arranged marriage. Later, when Danielle poses as a Lady, the Prince takes an interest in her. Inventor-artist Leonardo Da Vinci (Patrick Godfrey), accepting the French court's patronage, offers advice to Prince Henry on matters of the heart.

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Plot Keywords:

cinderella | fairy tale | leonardo da vinci | stepsister stepsister relationship | mother daughter relationship | 

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Taglines:

Desire. Defy. Escape.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for momentary strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

At one point Queen Marie tells Henry to choose a wife wisely, because "divorce is only something they do in England." This is obviously a reference to Henry VIII of England, who caused a huge scandal when he divorced Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn in the early 16th century.

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Goofs

When the gypsies grab Danielle, the gypsy leader and Henry fight. In one shot, the gypsy leader has leaves on his scarf. When we cut back to him, the leaves are gone. Then when we cut back to him a third time, the leaves are back.

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Quotes

Rodmilla: You are not my problem anymore.
Danielle: Is that what I am, your problem? I have done everything you've asked me to do and still you deny me the only thing I ever wanted!
Rodmilla: And what was that?
Danielle: What do you think? You are the only mother I have ever known. Was there ever a time, even in its smallest measurement, that you loved me at all?
Rodmilla: How can anyone love a pebble in their shoe?

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Alternate Versions

While the theatrical version was rated PG-13, the VHS version was edited to remove three swear words in order to be suitable for a PG rating. The DVD and Blu-ray versions are uncut.

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Connections

Referenced in Talking Dead: Blood in the Streets (2016)

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Soundtracks

Put Your Arms Around Me
(1997)
Written by Johnny McElhone, Sharleen Spiteri, Robert Hodgens, and David A. Stewart (as Dave Stewart)
Performed by Texas
Courtesy of Mercury Records Limited

User Reviews

intellectually compelling

If you're looking for a good movie with class, politics and vengeance, this is the piece to see. Danielle (Drew Barrymore) is a French commonor who's a victim of circumstance because she's a "slave" for her step-mother and step-sisters. I really liked how the prince of France gets intrigued by her upfront personality as she "tells it how it is." It's a good inspiration to those who don't fit in because it encourages them to take stands toward change. It wasn't a fairy tale that I'd get bored of (though a lot of friends did). It clearly portrayed the lifestyle of 17th century France which creates a compelling comparison from the 1600s to modern day life. I'd strongly recommend it to those who aren't into those hollywood romances and dramas. I rate this film *****.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 July 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cinderella

Filming Locations:

Chateau de la Roussie, 24200 Proissans, Sarlat-la-Caneda, Dordogne, France

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,526,904, 2 August 1998

Gross USA:

$65,705,771

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$98,005,666

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1