When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger.
A retrograde fantasy with the depth of a dressing-up box, but it’s spirited, genuinely funny and played to the hilt by an excellent cast.
Loving and lavish, Kenneth Branagh’s take will please traditionalists more than revisionists, but there’s enough here to enchant both young and old.
Played largely without resorting to panto-style theatrics – even Blanchett keeps the figurative moustache-twiddling to a minimum – the result is a pleasant surprise, and just goes to show: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Lily James is magnificent in this eye-popping spectacle.
Could we really live in a world without postmodern irony? Maybe…
It’s good-natured and silly.
Verdict: An absolute ball.
It’s a welcome throwback to old-school movie-making, something that kids weaned on Frozen (and there’s a new Frozen animated short film playing before Cinderella so get there early) may even find themselves loving.
The result is that a story which has fuelled a myriad Hollywood romances and private fantasies unfolds with a beguiling freshness and generosity of spirit.
Kenneth Branagh’s live-action take on Cinderella is unashamedly old-fashioned.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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