Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Lily James, Derek Jacobi and Cate Blanchett
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as strong as Derek Jacobi. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1970’s, Jacobi has made unforgettable movies. Whether it’s legendary Roman gladiators, spies in danger or ancient royal family figures, Jacobi has played many compelling characters. Arguably, Jacobi’s best strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment to craft. Jacobi has never been afraid to take risks in his career by portraying complex characters that aren’t often likeable. Jacobi has often had an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles in films. A British icon, Jacobi has become a legendary icon that audiences cherish. Despite reaching an age of refinement, Jacobi has never lost his passion making engaging entertainment. Throughout his legendary career, Jacobi has made many memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Jacobi and adore all the films which he has produced in his career. However, “Cinderella” is my favourite. Following release in 2015, Kenneth Branagh’s movie has stood a test of time as a Disney classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, captivating storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the greatest Disney live-action movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Derek Jacobi, who depicted a king seeking control over kingdom. Ultimately, what makes “Cinderella” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Disney movies that are targeted towards children only, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. A captivating classic about magical princesses, there are countless strong reasons why “Cinderella” is a film that is worth seeing.
Based on the iconic fairytale, “Cinderella” tells a story of a young princess facing a dilemma. Lily James portrays Ella, a young woman with bright dreams of success. Ella often years to escape her life of poverty to attain prosperity. However, Ella’s life forever changed when she is put under a control of her cruel stepmother. Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett) is an abusive stepmother that mistreats Ella without respect she deserves. Just when all hope seems to be lost for Ella, she finds hope coming in form of a stranger. The prince (Richard Madden) is a handsome man with an aptitude for wooing over women. Assisted by his father the great King (Derek Jacobi), the prince introduces Ella to a magical world far away from her abusive stepmother. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Ella begins to wonder whether she would ever overcome the control of her painful stepmother.
Kenneth Branagh is a newcomer to Disney live action movies. Before he directed “Cinderella”, Branagh had never made a Disney movie in his career. It was the filmmaker’s first attempts to honour a Disney classic about princesses that face tragedy but he succeeded. Using strong cinematography, Branagh captures a princess embarking on a journey to discover identity. Inspired by Joe Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice”, Branagh effectively uses montages to convey rivalry between sisters in a broken family. For instance, montages elevate the abuse scene. During this unforgettable scene, Cinderella is mistreated by her sisters in her household that faces adversity. Through montages, Branagh creates a princess that audiences can easily relate to. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” suggested, montages elevate medical epics about Ancient Rome. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Branagh captures tensions that princesses are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Cinderella” that merits appreciation is the production design. From a technical perspective, it’s arguably the greatest Disney live action remake ever made. Branagh successfully uses costume design to capture the lives of princesses which face a decline. Throughout the movie, Ella’s costumes showcase her transformation from a poor girl serving her family to a princess. For instance, costumes elevate the ballroom dance scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ella attends the ballroom dance dressed up in a gorgeous attire. Through compelling costumes, Branagh honours a celebrated Disney film that children value. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Patrick Doyle’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a warm atmosphere capturing the painful burden which princesses bear. Through phenomenal production design, Branagh captures the lives of princesses that face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Cinderella” is a Disney movie which is truly compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice over narration to capture the lives of princesses facing tension. Branagh’s screenwriting strength is ability to capture the lives of princesses facing tension through voice over narration. For instance, the narration elevates the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, the audience is first introduced to the life of Cinderella through the use of voice over narration. Through thoughtful narration, Branagh captures lives of magical princesses facing tension. Voice over narration is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Branagh’s “Henry V” suggested, narration is often suited to Shakespearean adaptations. Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” demonstrated that narration elevates movies about Wall Street stockbrokers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an engaging screenplay, Branagh honours lives of commemorated princesses today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Derek Jacobi delivers one of his best career performances as the king. Jacobi achieved appreciation for playing ancient gladiators in medieval epics. With “Cinderella”, however, he took on his most majestic role. It isn’t simple to play a legendary king, but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Jacobi has always excelled at playing strong leaders in positions of power, and “Cinderella” demonstrated his strengths as an actor. With bold expressions, he capture the bravery, intelligence and sense of authority of a king that seeks to guide his country. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated British actors in Hollywood today.
Lily James is fantastic as a woman seeking to escape the control of her stepmother treating her with cruelty. James has often excelled at playing emotional women under stress, and “Cinderella” showcased her strengths as an actress. Whether she’s seeking to escape a stepmother that’s terrifying or feeling wonder at a ballroom dance that’s captivating, James uses her strong body language to construct a character that’s compelling. It’s a role giving the actress chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing an iconic princess that is well known. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actresses working today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Hayley Atwell. As Ella’s biological mother, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Cinderella” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing princesses enduring a dilemma. Unlike most Disney movies that are targeted towards children only, it covers bold themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, marriage and social class which will definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the original animated movie to appreciate it. The movie delivers a meaningful message about social class that will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Cinderella” is one of those rare commemorated Disney movies that everyone will adore.
Fans of Derek Jacobi will definitely recognize “Cinderella” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spellbinding remake of an animated classic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about magical princesses seeking to escape stepmothers that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a British actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray characters in captivating movies which are definitely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 