Thursday Movie Picks - Live Action Fairy Tale Adaptations
For the blogathon hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves, just pick three movies for the week's theme. That's it. Join us! It's fun!
This week's movie picks are Live Action Fairy Tale Adaptations, which is apropos since Disney's Ever After remake live-action Cinderella opens this weekend. But I have to say, this one threw me a bit. Where do you draw the line between a "fairy tale" and a children's fantasy? Or a folktale? For example, is Alice in Wonderland a fairy tale? Is The Wizard of Oz? The Emperor's New Clothes? I'm really not sure. The first two involve a "magical" trip to a strange land, but only Oz actually involves magic, which for me is a key ingredient for a fairy tale. The third involves no actual magic, but was published in Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales Told for Children, and a version was filmed for Shelley Duvall's Fairie Tale Theatre. I decided that, for me, a fairy tale is a story that involves both magic (in some form) and a royal family (usually in the form of a princess). From there, these three basically picked themselves.
La Belle et la Bête (Jean Cocteau, 1946) The Big Kahuna of live-action fairy tale adaptations, and with good reason. This is one of the most stunningly gorgeous films ever made. Jean Cocteau's near-surrealist version of the French fairy tale is so influential that every subsequent fairy tale film owes a debt to it - not just versions of this tale. How Jean Marais is able to emote through his Beast makeup I will never know, but he does, and Josette Day overcomes her resting bitchface to be a Beauty for the ages. But make no mistake, this is Cocteau's show, and even now, over 70 years later, the images he created still retain their ability to inspire wonder and awe.
Ever After (Andy Tennant, 1998) When I first saw the trailer for the new Cinderella, my immediate response was "So... they're just remaking Ever After?" Drew Barrymore makes for a lovely, proto-feminist Cinderella (née Danielle), and Anjelica Huston slyly spins gold from the stock role of the wicked stepmother. Yes, the script contains that heinous line about a bird loving a fish, but in Barrymore's hands, it doesn't feel nearly as cringe-worthy as it should. This is a fairy tale firmly grounded in reality (the role of the fairy godmother, we have.... Leonardo da Vinci?!?) that is all the better for it, reminding us that all stories we tell, however fantastical, have some basis in reality.
Snow White & the Huntsman (Rupert Sanders, 2012) Charlize Theron is God. Make no mistake, Snow White & the Huntsman is... not a good movie, but it is a fantastic-looking one, one of the most striking films in recent years, fairy tale or otherwise. And the centerpiece of the whole enterprise isn't either of the title characters, it's Theron's tremendous performance as the evil Queen Ravenna. Aided by some imaginative, truly special visual effects (the mirror! the soldiers that shatter like glass! the ravens!) and stunning costumes - both deservedly Oscar-nominated - Theron tears into the part like a hungry lioness, a vengeful wraith in medieval rock star couture descending on the land to avenge the pain brought upon her (and all women) by the men who had ruled it.
Oh yeah, and Kirsten Stewart isn't terrible in it, either, so...
BONUS PICK
Enchanted (Kevin Lima, 2007) Look, I know it isn't actually based off a pre-existing fairy tale (existing on its own as a send-up of Disney's animated fairy tales), but this is by far the best live-action fairy tale of the past twenty years. Clever Alan Menken-Stephen Schwartz songs, a fun, funny script, and flat-out brilliant performances from James Marsden (as the fairy-tale Prince Charming) and Amy Adams (who should have gotten an Oscar nomination for her bonkers princess Giselle) make this one a film I will probably never stop enjoying, no matter how many times I see it. The "That's How You Know" scene still makes me shake with uncontrollable laughter (actually, Patrick Dempsey is really underrated in this - watch him in this scene again and tell me he doesn't make you laugh). Pity about Susan Sarandon's Evil Queen, but you can't have everything!
Goodness, I did hate Snow White & the Huntsman and I personally didn't like Theron's performance. I would agree it looked great, director Rupert Saunders was previously in advertising so I guess that helped in making the film appear attractive
I didn't exactly LIKE Huntsman, but I didn't hate it either, and that's almost solely because of Charlize. It's maybe the most magnetic she's ever been. You just can't tear your eyes away from her. It's also interesting that all of the scenes with Snow White are not nearly as visually intriguing as the scenes with Ravenna - clearly Sanders was besotted with her, too.
YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! La Belle et la Bête is BRILLIANT!
Also, I love that you single out James Marsden. His performance in Enchanted is incredible. I personally nominate him for it in my personal awards...he's just spot on!
The way he says "GISELLE!" and bites his fist in the middle of "That's How You Know" absolutely KILLS me. And who knew he was such a great singer?! I love Chris Pine in Into the Woods, but this is the great subversive Prince Charming performance that set the standard.
I love Ever After. It was after all one of my picks. Love Enchanted as well, Giselle is just soo cute. Snow White & the Huntsman - visually the movie had some great looking scenes but it had nothing going for it storywise and acting wise. And I didn't like Kristen Stewart in it. She just doesn't belong in some medieval fantasy story. I definitely want to see La Belle et la Bête...there's a Criterion for it right? Fairy Tale is definitely hard to define. I tend to see it as something that has its origins in folktales, usually with magic and other folkish creatures. The Grimm's Fairy Tales were from folklore, the Brothers Grimm were academics who collected and retold the folktales. So something like The Wizard of Oz, the wizard with his props and gadgets at least to me isn't fairy tale-ish.
Yeah, I think I'm maybe too influenced by the idea of "Disney Fairy Tales" - but it's weird because while Hans Christian Andersen's book is called "Fairy Tales Told for Children", some of the stories therein don't feel like it because the very word "fairy" connotes magic of some kind. There is no magic in the story of The Emperor's New Clothes, for example, or The Ugly Duckling. But, fairy tales they are!
I struggled with the theme this week. So much harder for me! I tend to like the villains (like Charlize and Julia Roberts of late) but dislike everything else. I just saw Cinderella last night and surprised myself by how much I liked it!
Thanks for commenting! I agree, this one was difficult. I was originally going to "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" of fairy tale adaptations, but "The Ugly" was going to be Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland and I couldn't decide if it counted as a fairy tale or not.
I mean, when is she NOT fantastic, right?!? Girl is on one hell of a hot streak lately. I'm really not a huge fan of the film but her scenes are right on the money.
Oh I love this version of Beauty & the Beast, only saw it about two years ago but fell for it right away. It has such a dreamy feel and though it was obviously shot on the cheap is really very inventive. I've seen Ever After pop up in several lists and it does make so much sense in here. It's a charmer and might be my favorite of Drew's movies. At the time of release I saw her in an interview where she spoke about meeting with Anjelica Huston and convincing her to play the stepmother and how their shared Hollywood legacies made it such a perfect fit. I have to agree and Anjelica is brilliant. You're right about Snow White & the Huntsman being middling but Charlize tears it up and obviously relishes her role as the queen. I do not like Amy Adams, I just don't get the admiration, but Enchanted is the one movie that I found her engaging in and the movie overall a lot of fun.
I noticed over on the Wanderer's blog that you saw my picks and admire Ball of Fire as do I. Missy Stanwyck really breaks loose in that film, I think of the big three classic female stars she was the most versatile. Davis and Crawford could match her in dramatics but neither was ever easy in comedy.
As far as my other two picks. Freeway isn't really that good of a film but it was such an extreme rethink on the material I admired its audacity. The Glass Slipper is pure MGM at its peak and it's a character actress dream with Elsa Lanchester, Estelle Winwood, Amanda Blake and Lurene Tuttle all in support.
I've heard of The Glass Slipper but haven't ever watched it. I've always been kind of nonplussed by Leslie Caron. I do want to see Freeway, though.
I never thought of that Hollywood legacy connection with Drew and Anjelica! But you're right and the both of them are just fantastic in Ever After, especially Anjelica.
You are, of course, absolutely right about Stanwyck and her comic abilities. She's so easily sexy and funny in Ball of Fire AND The Lady Eve, and then there's Double Indemnity in which she is just ice-cold perfection. And others, too. She's not as easy to box in as her contemporaries.
I think Amy Adams was better earlier in her career. She has gotten more and more self-conscious in her acting as time has gone on (although I thought this worked to her advantage in American Hustle). But in Enchanted, Junebug, and her small role in Catch Me If You Can she's just infectious.
The 2014 version of Beauty and the Beast made my list, but I've finally watched the 1946 version a few days ago and it was wonderful. Ever After is one of my favorite Drew Barrymore movies, I thought she was great in it.
I've never seen any of these. The old Beauty and the Beast is something I think I should see eventually. I've definitely heard good things about the others as well.
Oh, you need to get on that, then! La Belle et la Bete is just stunning stuff. Your jaw will drop. And frankly, you don't even need the subtitles, since you already know the story. Ever After is a great date night movie.
Goodness, I did hate Snow White & the Huntsman and I personally didn't like Theron's performance. I would agree it looked great, director Rupert Saunders was previously in advertising so I guess that helped in making the film appear attractive
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting!
DeleteI didn't exactly LIKE Huntsman, but I didn't hate it either, and that's almost solely because of Charlize. It's maybe the most magnetic she's ever been. You just can't tear your eyes away from her. It's also interesting that all of the scenes with Snow White are not nearly as visually intriguing as the scenes with Ravenna - clearly Sanders was besotted with her, too.
Ever After! That's a guilty pleasure movie for me, I almost put it on my list as well. Great picks! I haven't seen Belle, but now I want to.
ReplyDeleteOh you MUST see La Belle et la Bete. It's hauntingly beautiful. Ever After is just a pure pleasure for me lol - don't feel guilty about it at all.
DeleteYASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! La Belle et la Bête is BRILLIANT!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love that you single out James Marsden. His performance in Enchanted is incredible. I personally nominate him for it in my personal awards...he's just spot on!
The way he says "GISELLE!" and bites his fist in the middle of "That's How You Know" absolutely KILLS me. And who knew he was such a great singer?! I love Chris Pine in Into the Woods, but this is the great subversive Prince Charming performance that set the standard.
DeleteI love Ever After. It was after all one of my picks. Love Enchanted as well, Giselle is just soo cute.
ReplyDeleteSnow White & the Huntsman - visually the movie had some great looking scenes but it had nothing going for it storywise and acting wise. And I didn't like Kristen Stewart in it. She just doesn't belong in some medieval fantasy story.
I definitely want to see La Belle et la Bête...there's a Criterion for it right?
Fairy Tale is definitely hard to define. I tend to see it as something that has its origins in folktales, usually with magic and other folkish creatures. The Grimm's Fairy Tales were from folklore, the Brothers Grimm were academics who collected and retold the folktales. So something like The Wizard of Oz, the wizard with his props and gadgets at least to me isn't fairy tale-ish.
Wandering through the Shelves
Yeah, I think I'm maybe too influenced by the idea of "Disney Fairy Tales" - but it's weird because while Hans Christian Andersen's book is called "Fairy Tales Told for Children", some of the stories therein don't feel like it because the very word "fairy" connotes magic of some kind. There is no magic in the story of The Emperor's New Clothes, for example, or The Ugly Duckling. But, fairy tales they are!
DeleteI struggled with the theme this week. So much harder for me! I tend to like the villains (like Charlize and Julia Roberts of late) but dislike everything else. I just saw Cinderella last night and surprised myself by how much I liked it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting! I agree, this one was difficult. I was originally going to "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" of fairy tale adaptations, but "The Ugly" was going to be Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland and I couldn't decide if it counted as a fairy tale or not.
DeleteGreat to see SWATH among so many people's picks - while the film itself is so-so Theron is fantastic in it
ReplyDeleteI mean, when is she NOT fantastic, right?!? Girl is on one hell of a hot streak lately. I'm really not a huge fan of the film but her scenes are right on the money.
DeleteOh I love this version of Beauty & the Beast, only saw it about two years ago but fell for it right away. It has such a dreamy feel and though it was obviously shot on the cheap is really very inventive. I've seen Ever After pop up in several lists and it does make so much sense in here. It's a charmer and might be my favorite of Drew's movies. At the time of release I saw her in an interview where she spoke about meeting with Anjelica Huston and convincing her to play the stepmother and how their shared Hollywood legacies made it such a perfect fit. I have to agree and Anjelica is brilliant. You're right about Snow White & the Huntsman being middling but Charlize tears it up and obviously relishes her role as the queen. I do not like Amy Adams, I just don't get the admiration, but Enchanted is the one movie that I found her engaging in and the movie overall a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteI noticed over on the Wanderer's blog that you saw my picks and admire Ball of Fire as do I. Missy Stanwyck really breaks loose in that film, I think of the big three classic female stars she was the most versatile. Davis and Crawford could match her in dramatics but neither was ever easy in comedy.
As far as my other two picks. Freeway isn't really that good of a film but it was such an extreme rethink on the material I admired its audacity. The Glass Slipper is pure MGM at its peak and it's a character actress dream with Elsa Lanchester, Estelle Winwood, Amanda Blake and Lurene Tuttle all in support.
I've heard of The Glass Slipper but haven't ever watched it. I've always been kind of nonplussed by Leslie Caron. I do want to see Freeway, though.
DeleteI never thought of that Hollywood legacy connection with Drew and Anjelica! But you're right and the both of them are just fantastic in Ever After, especially Anjelica.
You are, of course, absolutely right about Stanwyck and her comic abilities. She's so easily sexy and funny in Ball of Fire AND The Lady Eve, and then there's Double Indemnity in which she is just ice-cold perfection. And others, too. She's not as easy to box in as her contemporaries.
I think Amy Adams was better earlier in her career. She has gotten more and more self-conscious in her acting as time has gone on (although I thought this worked to her advantage in American Hustle). But in Enchanted, Junebug, and her small role in Catch Me If You Can she's just infectious.
The 2014 version of Beauty and the Beast made my list, but I've finally watched the 1946 version a few days ago and it was wonderful. Ever After is one of my favorite Drew Barrymore movies, I thought she was great in it.
ReplyDeleteI REALLY want to see the 2014 version of Beauty and the Beast. LOVE the stars, like the director, and all the stills I've seen have been GORGEOUS.
DeleteI've never seen any of these. The old Beauty and the Beast is something I think I should see eventually. I've definitely heard good things about the others as well.
ReplyDeleteOh, you need to get on that, then! La Belle et la Bete is just stunning stuff. Your jaw will drop. And frankly, you don't even need the subtitles, since you already know the story. Ever After is a great date night movie.
Delete