A synopsis of the film "Ever After"
A unique 16th century woman, Danielle possesses a love of books, and can easily quote from Sir Thomas More’s Utopia. An intriguing mix of tomboyish athleticism and physical beauty, she has more than enough charm to capture the heart of a prince ... after beaning him with an apple.
This spirited "Cinderella" is certainly no victim - against all odds, she stands up against a forceful and scheming stepmother, while honoring her late and beloved father.
With her keen intelligence and independence, Danielle definitely is not waiting around for the prince to rescue her; in fact, she often comes to his aid, offering him guidance, and even saving the prince's life by carrying him on her back.
When Danielle does receive help, it comes not from a "fairy godmother," but from one of history's most renowned figures, Leonardo da Vinci.
And, while she does don a gorgeous pair of glass slippers, the words "magic pumpkin" are not in her vocabulary.
This is not your grandmother's Cinderella.
Twentieth Century Fox presents A Mireille Soria Production, An Andy Tennant Film, Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Huston in EVER AFTER. The film also stars Dougray Scott and Jeanne Moreau. It is directed by Andy Tennant from a screenplay by Susannah Grant and Andy Tennant & Rick Parks. The film is produced by Mireille Soria and Tracey Trench. The director of photography is Andrew Dunn, B.S.C., and the production designer is Michael Howells. It is edited by Roger Bondelli, A.C.E.. The co-producers are Kevin Reidy and Timothy M. Bourne. Jenny Beavan is the costume designer, and music is by George Fenton.
There are approximately 500 versions of the Cinderella story in circulation, making it the most famous tale in the world. The earliest apparently originated in China where the preoccupation with tiny feet found a highly satisfactory outcome in the search for someone who could wear an exquisite, small glass slipper. Over hundreds of years the story has been refined and reworked, whether as the French "Cendrillon" or as the Brothers Grimm "Cinderella." It has, however, been a story of a passive woman waiting for a strong, handsome (and nearly silent) prince to rescue her. Until now. "I wanted to tell a very different version of 'Cinderella' because I have two daughters," director and co-screenwriter Andy Tennant explains. "I did not want them growing up believing you have to marry a rich guy with a big house in order to live happily ever after."
Intent on turning the tale on its tail, Tennant puts a whole new spin on Cinderella's message. "Our story," the director explains, "says that Cinderella's magic comes from within, not from some fairy godmother." Tennant was never less than passionate about delivering a realistic, different "Cinderella" to the screen. "EVER AFTER," he insists, "is not a cartoon or fairytale - it's an adventure with a completely unexpected attitude." He also insisted on giving the tale a sense of logic, that there be specific reasons for certain actions and choices. "This 'Cinderella' isn't a victim," Tennant states. "She stays on in her father's house, after he dies, from choice. There are reasons given for stepmother Rodmilla's appalling behavior. We also tried to provide some realistic touches to the famous glass slippers and masked ball."
In his quest to reconceive myth and legend, Tennant brought together two stars who not only seem born to play their respective roles, but represent the uniting of two Hollywood dynasties. Drew Barrymore, the youngest member of the famed acting family (she's the granddaughter of John), plays Danielle, the orphan child who, in Tennant's film, is anything but the passive victim most often depicted in legend. Anjelica Huston, daughter of famed filmmaker John Huston and granddaughter of Walter Huston, portrays Rodmilla, Danielle's upwardly mobile stepmother.
Barrymore has been a star since Steven Spielberg cast her in "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial." As an adult performer Barrymore has appeared in "The Wedding Singer," "Boys on the Side," "Everyone Says I Love You" and "Scream." She worked with director Andy Tennant previously on the telefilm "The Amy Fisher Story" as the headline making Long Island Lolita.
For Barrymore the role of Danielle offered an irresistible opportunity to play someone she sees as "a very positive role model for young women, someone classy and fun." Continues the actress: "She's athletic and protective of people. She's adventurous, very strong and a survivor. She's well read, too, because her father gave her wonderfully eloquent, elaborate literature."
"In short, she is a 'Cinderella' for a new generation," Barrymore adds. "She definitely is not a passive character."
With her character's strength and sensibilities, the mythic romance between Danielle/Cinderella and the prince seems almost, to Barrymore, like an afterthought. "Oh, yes," she adds with a laugh, "a prince falls in love with her!"
Anjelica Huston has become one of the most gifted talents of her generation and an Oscar® winner for "Prizzi's Honor," directed by her father John Huston. Her other credits include "The Addams Family," "Crimes and Misdemeanors" and "Manhattan Murder Mystery." She was Oscar®-nominated for her performances in "Enemies, A Love Story" and "The Grifters." Huston was Tennant's first choice for the stepmother; the part was in fact written with her in mind. "It's nice to be wanted," Huston says of Tennant tailoring the role for her. The story's positive values were another enticement. "It's good to be doing this kind of movie at a time when there are so many films being made about tough, evil subjects," she shares. "Being involved with something sweet and tender was a delight."
With Tennant and co-writers Susannah Grant and Rick Parks giving the stepmother some heretofore unseen quirky comedic twists, Huston found much to latch on to. She also sees the humor as adding some realism to the character. "Giving Rodmilla a light edge makes her more believable," she explains. Starring with these two formidable actors is relative newcomer Dougray Scott. The Welsh-born actor has his biggest role thus far as Prince Henry. But the film had attractions other than the size of his role. "EVER AFTER is unashamedly romantic, without being sentimental. The prince is such a famous character, but when I read the script I didn't see him as a 'fairy tale' figure. He's a realistic and flawed character who has a life, a history - and his own agenda."
Legendary actress Jeanne Moreau makes a special appearance as the Grand Dame of France, the only woman who knows the truth behind the Cinderella legend. The presence of such a formidable actor was initially intimidating for some cast members. But their fears were allayed. Moreau was totally accessible, volunteering to pose for pictures and taking time to chat with many members of the EVER AFTER production team.
Also having a brief, but key role in the film is noted international star Jeroen Krabbé ("Prince of Tides," "The Fugitive"). The Dutch actor plays Danielle's beloved father, whose death helps shape her ultimate destiny. While the beloved fairy tale has also pictured Cinderella's stepsisters as homely (or downright ugly), in EVER AFTER, they are attractive young women whose beauty, alas, is only skin deep. Megan Dodds, who makes her film debut, plays Marguerite and Melanie Lynskey, who made her film debut in "Heavenly Creatures," is Jacqueline.
Cinderella's godmother is no fantasy little old lady, but a flesh and blood Leonardo da Vinci (played by veteran character actor Patrick Godfrey), thus grafting a whole new element onto the Brothers Grimm tale. Also co-starring are distinguished British actors Timothy West and Judy Parfitt as the King and Queen of France, and Richard O'Brien ("The Rocky Horror Picture Show") as the odious and lascivious Pierre le Pieu.
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