Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Julie Andrews | ... | Queen Clarisse Renaldi | |
Anne Hathaway | ... | Mia Thermopolis | |
Hector Elizondo | ... | Joe | |
Heather Matarazzo | ... | Lilly Moscovitz | |
Mandy Moore | ... | Lana Thomas | |
Caroline Goodall | ... | Mia's Mom, Helen | |
Robert Schwartzman | ... | Michael Moscovitz | |
Erik von Detten | ... | Student Josh Bryant (as Erik Von Detten) | |
Patrick John Flueger | ... | Student Jeremiah Hart (as Patrick Flueger) | |
Sean O'Bryan | ... | Teacher Mr. O'Connell | |
Sandra Oh | ... | Vice Principal Gupta | |
Kathleen Marshall | ... | Charlotte Kutaway | |
Mindy Burbano | ... | Gym Teacher Harbula | |
Kimleigh Smith | ... | Music Teacher Wells (as Kim Leigh) | |
Elizabeth Gudenrath | ... | Cheerleader Anna (as Beth Anne Garrison) |
Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is the average teenager - sweet, a little geeky, and pretty much invisible to everyone with the exception of her mother, best friend Lilly (Heather Matarazzo) and Lilly's older brother Michael (Robert Schwartzman). Making it through high school without throwing up is a challenge in itself for Mia, so it doesn't come as welcome news when her estranged grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Dame Julie Andrews), shows up out of the blue and calmly informs her that she is in fact the heir to the throne of a European country called Genovia. Suddenly Mia's life is thrown into complete overload. She's being taught about scarves, waves, and pears in order to become a perfect Princess, she gets a makeover and a tough looking, yet sweet bodyguard and limo driver called Joe (Hector Elizondo). Things get out of hand when the media gets a hold of the story and suddenly Mia is thrust into the spotlight in the newspapers and in school. On top of all of that, Mia has a ... Written by LadyN1
Mia Thermopolis (played by Anne Hathaway) is a 15-year old girl. Awkward and shy she lives with her artist mother Helen (Catherine Goodall) in an refurbished former fire station. Then one day she meets her grandmother Clarisse (Julie Andrews) and is informed that she is the Princess of the European country of Genovia. Despite the perks involved, she is not so sure she wants to assume the title.
Very formulaic and obviously made for children, the whole plot and production are pure Disney. Very fairy tale-like and predictable.
Yet it is difficult to dislike. The main characters are not your usual irritating, bratty teens. There is an innocence to it all that propels the movie. Plus, Anne Hathaway puts in a wonderful, charming performance as Mia.
So, really a children's movie, but adults won't mind being forced to sit through it.