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* Ilyssa Goodman
* Ilyssa Goodman
* [[Hunt Lowry]]
* [[Hunt Lowry]]
* Dylan Sellers
* Dylan Sellers}}
}}
| writer = Leigh Dunlap
| writer = Leigh Dunlap
| based_on = {{Based on|''[[Cinderella]]''|[[Charles Perrault]]}}
| based_on = {{Based on|''[[Cinderella]]''|[[Charles Perrault]]}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[Hilary Duff]]
* [[Hilary Duff]]
Line 21: Line 20:
* [[Regina King]]
* [[Regina King]]
}}
}}
| narrator = Hilary Duff
| music = [[Christophe Beck]]
| music = [[Christophe Beck]]
| cinematography = [[Anthony B. Richmond]]
| cinematography = [[Anthony B. Richmond]]
Line 28: Line 26:
| distributor = [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]
| distributor = [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|2004|7|16}}
| released = {{Film date|2004|7|16}}
| runtime = 96 minutes
| runtime = 95 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
Line 34: Line 32:
| gross = $70.1 million<ref name="BoxOfficeMojo"/>
| gross = $70.1 million<ref name="BoxOfficeMojo"/>
}}
}}
'''''A Cinderella Story''''' is a 2004 American [[Teen film|teen]] [[romantic comedy]] film directed by [[Mark Rosman]], written by Leigh Dunlap and starring [[Hilary Duff]], [[Chad Michael Murray]], [[Jennifer Coolidge]], and [[Regina King]]. A modernization of the classic [[Cinderella]] folklore, the film's plot revolves around two internet [[pen pal]]s who plan to meet in person at their high school's Halloween dance.
'''''A Cinderella Story''''' is a 2004 American [[Teen film|teen]] [[romantic comedy]] film directed by [[Mark Rosman]], written by Leigh Dunlap and starring [[Hilary Duff]], [[Chad Michael Murray]], [[Jennifer Coolidge]], and [[Regina King]]. A modernization of the classic ''[[Cinderella]]'' [[folklore]], the film's plot revolves around two [[internet]] [[pen pal]]s who plan to meet in person at their high school's Halloween dance.


The film was released on July 16, 2004. While it was panned by critics, the film was a box office success, grossing $70.1 million against its $19 million budget, and inspired [[A Cinderella Story (film series)|multiple straight-to-video films]]. Over the years, it has developed into a [[Cult film|cult classic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/a-cinderella-story-representation-op-ed |title=It's Time For a More Inclusive "Cinderella Story |last=Russo |first=Gianluca |publisher=Condé Nast |date=August 11, 2019 |website=Teen Vogue |access-date=September 14, 2019 |quote="What began in 2004 as a modern retelling of the iconic fairy tale... quickly spiraled into a cult classic yielding a decade and a half of follow-up films with different actors and plots..."}}</ref>
The film was released on July 16, 2004. While it was panned by critics, the film was a box office success, grossing $70.1 million against its $19 million budget, and inspired [[A Cinderella Story (film series)|multiple straight-to-video films]]. Over the years, it has developed into a [[Cult film|cult classic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/a-cinderella-story-representation-op-ed |title=It's Time For a More Inclusive "Cinderella Story |last=Russo |first=Gianluca |publisher=Condé Nast |date=August 11, 2019 |website=Teen Vogue |access-date=September 14, 2019 |quote="What began in 2004 as a modern retelling of the iconic fairy tale... quickly spiraled into a cult classic yielding a decade and a half of follow-up films with different actors and plots..."}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summary should be between 400 to 700 words. -->
⚫
Samantha "Sam" Montgomery is raised by her widowed father Hal, who runs a [[diner]] in the [[San Fernando Valley]]. Hal later dies in the [[1994 Northridge earthquake]] apparently without leaving a will, leading Sam's vain and greedy stepmother Fiona to inherit everything. Eight years later, 17-year-old Sam is tormented by Fiona and her twin daughters/step-sisters Brianna and Gabriella, while the community faces a [[drought]]. Sam and her best friend Carter, an aspiring actor, are bullied by the popular clique at school, led by head cheerleader Shelby. Forced to work at the diner to save money to attend [[Princeton University|Princeton]], Sam is looked after by longtime manager Rhonda and confides in her online [[pen pal]] "Nomad", who shares her dream to attend Princeton to become a writer. Unbeknownst to Sam, "Nomad" is Austin Ames, the popular but unhappy school quarterback and Shelby's boyfriend, whose father expects him to attend the [[University of Southern California]].
Samantha "Sam" Montgomery is raised by her widowed father Hal, who runs a [[diner]] in the [[San Fernando Valley]]. Hal marries a vain and greedy woman named Fiona, who has twin daughters, Brianna and Gabriella. Hal later dies in the [[1994 Northridge earthquake]] apparently without leaving a will, leading Fiona to inherit everything.


Eight years later, 17-year-old Sam is tormented by her stepfamily, while the community faces a [[drought]]. She and her best friend Carter Farrell, an aspiring actor, are bullied by the popular clique at school, led by head cheerleader and mean girl Shelby Cummings.
⚫
Sam agrees to meet "Nomad" at the school [[Halloween]] dance and Austin breaks up with Shelby, although Shelby refuses to believe him. Fiona refuses to give Sam the night off to attend the dance, but Rhonda and Carter intervene, and Rhonda gives Sam a mask and her old wedding dress to wear as "Cinderella". Dressed as "Prince Charming", Austin reveals to Sam that he is "Nomad" but does not recognize her under her mask, and they share a romantic dance. A masked Carter [[making out|makes out]] with Shelby after defending her from the unwanted advances of Austin's friend, but is forced to drive Sam back to the diner before Fiona discovers she is gone. As they leave, Sam drops her cell phone, which is found by Austin, as he and the missing Cinderella are named homecoming prince and princess. The diner staff stall Fiona and her daughters, and Sam arrives just in time.


⚫
Forced to work at the diner to save money to attend [[Princeton University|Princeton]], Sam is looked after by longtime manager Rhonda and confides in her online [[pen pal]] "Nomad", who shares her dream to attend Princeton to become a writer. Unbeknownst to Sam, "Nomad" is Austin Ames, the popular but unhappy school quarterback and Shelby's boyfriend, whose father Andy expects him to attend [[University of Southern California|USC]].
⚫
The next day, Austin covers the school in flyers, hoping to identify the mysterious Cinderella and Carter is cruelly rejected by Shelby. Austin's friends present him with a crowd of girls claiming to be Cinderella, without success. He is accepted to Princeton but unable to tell his father and visits the diner, where Sam tries to tell him the truth. Brianna and Gabriella discover Sam's emails with Austin, realizing she's the mystery homecoming princess. After failing to convince Austin that they are each Cinderella, the twins present the emails to Shelby, convincing her that Sam schemed to steal Austin away from her. At the school pep rally, Shelby and the twins perform a humiliating skit exposing Sam as Cinderella and she runs home in tears.


⚫
Sam agrees to meet "Nomad" at the school [[Halloween]] dance and Austin breaks up with Shelby, although Shelby refuses to believe him. Fiona refuses to give Sam the night off to attend the dance, but Rhonda and Carter intervene. Rhonda gives her a mask and her old wedding dress to wear as "Cinderella". Dressed as "Prince Charming", Austin reveals to Sam that he is "Nomad" but does not recognize her under her mask, and they share a romantic dance.
⚫
Having intercepted Sam's acceptance letter from Princeton, Fiona forges a rejection and feigns sympathy, telling Sam she has a job at the diner for life. Rhonda encourages Sam not to lose hope and her stepsisters inadvertently uncover a wallpapered-over mural of Hal's motto. Inspired, Sam finally stands up to Fiona and quits the diner, leading Rhonda, the rest of the employees and even the customers to leave as well. Moving in with Rhonda, Sam confronts Austin for being afraid to show who he really is, just before the homecoming game. Seeing her leaving before the final play of the game, Austin stands up to his father and runs after Sam. He apologizes and they share their first kiss in the rain as the drought suddenly ends.


A masked Carter [[making out|makes out]] with Shelby after defending her from the unwanted advances of Austin's friend, but is forced to drive Sam back to the diner before Fiona discovers she is gone. As they leave, Sam drops her cell phone, which is found by Austin, as he and the missing Cinderella are named homecoming prince and princess. The diner staff stalls Fiona and her daughters, and Sam arrives just in time.
Sam finds her father's will hidden in her childhood book of fairytales, revealing that everything was left to her, including the diner. As the rightful owner, Sam is able to sell her stepfamily's cars to pay for college, while Fiona claims to have never seen the will before, despite having signed it as a witness. Arrested for [[fraud]] and violating California child labor laws by the [[Los Angeles Police Department|LAPD]] and [[Los Angeles County District Attorney|D.A.]], she makes a deal with the latter that she'll work her debt off at the diner, now co-owned by Rhonda and her daughters are also forced to work with her as bus girls, who retrieve Sam's acceptance letter from the trash. Carter lands a commercial and rejects Shelby for Astrid, the school's goth DJ and announcer. Austin returns Sam's cellphone and they begin a relationship, driving off to Princeton together.

The next day, Austin covers the school in flyers, hoping to identify the mysterious Cinderella and Carter is cruelly rejected by Shelby. Austin's friends present him with a crowd of girls claiming to be Cinderella, without success. He is accepted to Princeton but unable to tell his father and visits the diner, where Sam tries to tell him the truth.

⚫
Brianna and Gabriella discover Sam's emails with Austin, realizing she's the mystery Cinderella. After failing to convince Austin that they are each Cinderella, the twins present the emails to Shelby, convincing her that Sam schemed to steal Austin away from her. At the school pep rally, Shelby and the twins perform a humiliating skit exposing Sam as Cinderella and she runs home in tears.

⚫
Having intercepted Sam's acceptance letter from Princeton, Fiona forges a rejection letter, further disheartening Sam. Rhonda encourages her not to lose hope and her stepsisters indirectly uncover a wallpapered-over mural of Hal's motto. Inspired, Sam finally stands up to Fiona and quits the diner, leading Rhonda, the rest of the employees and even the customers to leave as well.

Moving in with Rhonda, Sam confronts Austin for being afraid to show who he really is, in the locker room just before the homecoming game. Seeing her leaving before the final play of the game, Austin stands up to his father and runs after Sam. He apologizes and they share their first kiss in the rain as the drought suddenly ends, much to the twins and Shelby’s dismay.

Sam finds her father's will hidden in her childhood fairytale book, revealing that everything was left to her, including the house and diner. As the rightful owner, Sam is able to sell her stepfamily's cars to pay for college, while Fiona claims to have never seen the will before, despite having signed it as a witness.

Arrested by the [[Los Angeles Police Department|LAPD]] and [[Los Angeles County District Attorney|D.A.]], she makes a deal with the latter to work her debt off at the diner, now co-owned by Rhonda; her daughters, after retrieving Sam's acceptance letter from the trash, are also forced to work with her busing tables.

Andy accepts Austin's decision to attend Princeton. Carter lands a commercial and rejects Shelby for Astrid, the school's goth DJ and announcer. Austin returns Sam's cell phone and they begin a relationship, driving off to Princeton together.


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 81: Line 94:
==Production==
==Production==
Clifford Werber conceived a modernized adaptation of the [[Cinderella]] story due to its long-lasting appeal of being "the ultimate wish-fulfillment fantasy" with "an underlying message of empowerment."<ref name = "Prodnotes">"A Cinderella Story Production Notes" (2004). [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]</ref>
Clifford Werber conceived a modernized adaptation of the [[Cinderella]] story due to its long-lasting appeal of being "the ultimate wish-fulfillment fantasy" with "an underlying message of empowerment."<ref name = "Prodnotes">"A Cinderella Story Production Notes" (2004). [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]</ref>

'''Filming'''

Filming took place from 30 June 2003 to September 2003 around California. Hilary Duff was 15 years old when she filmed the movie, and turned 16 when it was released. Notable specific locations include George's 50s Diner in [[Long Beach]], 1272 E Calaveras St in [[Altadena]], as Sam's House. Also [[Monrovia High School]] in [[Monrovia, California]], Jerzy Boy'z Car Wash doubling as Big Andy's business venue in [[San Pedro, California]] and [[Pasadena City Hall]]. Other locations include [[Los Angeles]], [[San Marino, California]], [[Burbank Studios]] and the [[San Fernando Valley]].


==Release==
==Release==
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==Reception==
==Reception==
=== Critical response ===
=== Critical response ===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an approval rating of 12% based on 103 reviews, with an average rating of 3.6/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "An uninspired, generic updating of the classic fairy tale."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cinderella_story/|title=A Cinderella Story (2004) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903012428/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cinderella_story/|archive-date=September 3, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score on 25 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-cinderella-story |title=A Cinderella Story Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=2018-01-09 |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101222101/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-cinderella-story |archive-date=November 1, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |url=https://m.cinemascore.com |title=CinemaScore |work=cinemascore.com}}</ref>
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an approval rating of 11% based on 102 reviews, with an average rating of 3.6/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "An uninspired, generic updating of the classic fairy tale."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cinderella_story/|title=A Cinderella Story (2004) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903012428/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cinderella_story/|archive-date=September 3, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score on 25 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-cinderella-story |title=A Cinderella Story Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=2018-01-09 |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101222101/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-cinderella-story |archive-date=November 1, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |url=https://m.cinemascore.com |title=CinemaScore |work=cinemascore.com}}</ref>


[[Roger Ebert]] wrote that ''A Cinderella Story'' "is a lame, stupid movie, but Warner Bros. is spending a fortune to persuade [young audiences] to see it and recommend it".<ref>{{cite web |last=Valero |first=Gerardo |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-cinderella-story-2004 |title=A Cinderella Story Movie Review (2004) |website=Roger Ebert |date=2004-07-16 |access-date=2018-01-09 |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111134812/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-cinderella-story-2004 |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Other critics panned the plot as "simple, lazy storytelling"<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Anna|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/cinderella-story-review/|title=A Cinderella Story Review|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|access-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref> and "a dull rehash of the old girl-meets-boy chestnut".<ref name = "FilmThreat">{{cite web|last=Vonder Haar|first=Pete|date=July 19, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040904081204/https://filmthreat.com/Reviews.asp?Id=6276|archive-date=September 4, 2004|url=https://filmthreat.com/Reviews.asp?Id=6276|title=A Cinderella Story|website=[[Film Threat]]|access-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref> They noted that its attempts to modernize aspects of the source material were gimmicky and led to illogical plot elements, such as a cell phone being the film's glass slipper and Sam looking too pretty and cheerful for an outcast.<ref>{{cite web|author-link=Stephen Holden|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=July 16, 2004|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/16/movies/film-review-shattered-pieces-of-a-glass-slipper-a-san-fernando-valley-cinderella.html|title=FILM REVIEW; Shattered Pieces of a Glass Slipper: A San Fernando Valley 'Cinderella'|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref><ref name = "FilmThreat"/><ref name = "GlobeandMail">{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jason|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040804213351/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/movie/MOVIEREVIEWS/20040716/CINDERELLA16/|archive-date=August 4, 2004|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/movie/MOVIEREVIEWS/20040716/CINDERELLA16/|title=This Cinderella should have stayed home|date=July 16, 2004|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|access-date=November 18, 2020}}</ref> Some particularly felt the use of a perfect teenager as a social reject delegitimized the moral of any average person believing in oneself.<ref name = "FilmThreat"/><ref name = "GlobeandMail"/>
[[Roger Ebert]] wrote that ''A Cinderella Story'' "is a lame, stupid movie, but Warner Bros. is spending a fortune to persuade [young audiences] to see it and recommend it".<ref>{{cite web |last=Valero |first=Gerardo |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-cinderella-story-2004 |title=A Cinderella Story Movie Review (2004) |website=Roger Ebert |date=2004-07-16 |access-date=2018-01-09 |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111134812/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-cinderella-story-2004 |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Other critics panned the plot as "simple, lazy storytelling"<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Anna|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/cinderella-story-review/|title=A Cinderella Story Review|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=January 2000 |access-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref> and "a dull rehash of the old girl-meets-boy chestnut".<ref name = "FilmThreat">{{cite web|last=Vonder Haar|first=Pete|date=July 19, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040904081204/https://filmthreat.com/Reviews.asp?Id=6276|archive-date=September 4, 2004|url=https://filmthreat.com/Reviews.asp?Id=6276|title=A Cinderella Story|website=[[Film Threat]]|access-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref> They noted that its attempts to modernize aspects of the source material were gimmicky and led to illogical plot elements, such as a cell phone being the film's glass slipper and Sam looking too pretty and cheerful for an outcast.<ref>{{cite web|author-link=Stephen Holden|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=July 16, 2004|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/16/movies/film-review-shattered-pieces-of-a-glass-slipper-a-san-fernando-valley-cinderella.html|title=FILM REVIEW; Shattered Pieces of a Glass Slipper: A San Fernando Valley 'Cinderella'|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref><ref name = "FilmThreat"/><ref name = "GlobeandMail">{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jason|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040804213351/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/movie/MOVIEREVIEWS/20040716/CINDERELLA16/|archive-date=August 4, 2004|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/movie/MOVIEREVIEWS/20040716/CINDERELLA16/|title=This Cinderella should have stayed home|date=July 16, 2004|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|access-date=November 18, 2020}}</ref> Some particularly felt the use of a perfect teenager as a social reject delegitimized the moral of any average person believing in oneself.<ref name = "FilmThreat"/><ref name = "GlobeandMail"/>


The film was nominated for five [[Teen Choice Awards]] at the 2005 ceremony, winning the award for Choice Movie Blush Scene, the same year Duff won the [[Kids Choice Awards]] for Favorite Movie Actress.
The film was nominated for five [[Teen Choice Awards]] at the 2005 ceremony, winning the award for Choice Movie Blush Scene, the same year Duff won the [[Kids Choice Awards]] for Favorite Movie Actress.
Line 123: Line 140:
|-
|-
|Choice Summer Movie
|Choice Summer Movie
|''A Cinderella Story''
|
|{{Nom}}
|{{Nom}}
|-
|-
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|-
|-
|[[Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie - Date Movie|Choice Date Movie]]
|[[Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie - Date Movie|Choice Date Movie]]
|''A Cinderella Story''
|
|{{Nom}}
|{{Nom}}
|-
|-
Line 178: Line 195:
| ''[[A Cinderella Story: Starstruck]]'' || 2021 || [[Bailee Madison]]
| ''[[A Cinderella Story: Starstruck]]'' || 2021 || [[Bailee Madison]]
|}
|}

==See also==
* [[List of films set around Halloween]]


==References==
==References==
Line 210: Line 230:
[[Category:American romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:American teen comedy films]]
[[Category:American teen comedy films]]
[[Category:American comedy films]]
[[Category:American teen romance films]]
[[Category:American teen romance films]]
[[Category:Films about teenagers]]
[[Category:Films based on Charles Perrault's Cinderella]]
[[Category:Films based on Charles Perrault's Cinderella]]
[[Category:Films directed by Mark Rosman]]
[[Category:Films directed by Mark Rosman]]
Line 219: Line 239:
[[Category:Films set in the San Fernando Valley]]
[[Category:Films set in the San Fernando Valley]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award–winning films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy films]]

Latest revision as of 01:57, 1 December 2024

For other uses, see A Cinderella Story (disambiguation).
A Cinderella Story
A teenage boy and a teenage girl standing in front of a white background. The boy wears a gray shirt with black sleeves, blue jeans and black sneakers with white shoelaces. The girl, being carried on his back, wears a white tiara, white ball gown and pink-and-white sneakers with white shoelaces. On their image, the text "A Cinderella Story" is written in blue print, with the phrase "Once upon a time... can happen anytime" written in black print to their right.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMark Rosman
Written byLeigh Dunlap
Based onCinderella
by Charles Perrault
Produced by
  • Clifford Werber
  • Ilyssa Goodman
  • Hunt Lowry
  • Dylan Sellers
Starring
CinematographyAnthony B. Richmond
Edited byCara Silverman
Music byChristophe Beck
Production
companies
  • Dylan Sellers Productions
  • Clifford Werber Productions
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release date
  • July 16, 2004 (2004-07-16)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$19 million[1]
Box office$70.1 million[1]

A Cinderella Story is a 2004 American teen romantic comedy film directed by Mark Rosman, written by Leigh Dunlap and starring Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray, Jennifer Coolidge, and Regina King. A modernization of the classic Cinderella folklore, the film's plot revolves around two internet pen pals who plan to meet in person at their high school's Halloween dance.

The film was released on July 16, 2004. While it was panned by critics, the film was a box office success, grossing $70.1 million against its $19 million budget, and inspired multiple straight-to-video films. Over the years, it has developed into a cult classic.[2]

Plot

[edit]

Samantha "Sam" Montgomery is raised by her widowed father Hal, who runs a diner in the San Fernando Valley. Hal marries a vain and greedy woman named Fiona, who has twin daughters, Brianna and Gabriella. Hal later dies in the 1994 Northridge earthquake apparently without leaving a will, leading Fiona to inherit everything.

Eight years later, 17-year-old Sam is tormented by her stepfamily, while the community faces a drought. She and her best friend Carter Farrell, an aspiring actor, are bullied by the popular clique at school, led by head cheerleader and mean girl Shelby Cummings.

Forced to work at the diner to save money to attend Princeton, Sam is looked after by longtime manager Rhonda and confides in her online pen pal "Nomad", who shares her dream to attend Princeton to become a writer. Unbeknownst to Sam, "Nomad" is Austin Ames, the popular but unhappy school quarterback and Shelby's boyfriend, whose father Andy expects him to attend USC.

Sam agrees to meet "Nomad" at the school Halloween dance and Austin breaks up with Shelby, although Shelby refuses to believe him. Fiona refuses to give Sam the night off to attend the dance, but Rhonda and Carter intervene. Rhonda gives her a mask and her old wedding dress to wear as "Cinderella". Dressed as "Prince Charming", Austin reveals to Sam that he is "Nomad" but does not recognize her under her mask, and they share a romantic dance.

A masked Carter makes out with Shelby after defending her from the unwanted advances of Austin's friend, but is forced to drive Sam back to the diner before Fiona discovers she is gone. As they leave, Sam drops her cell phone, which is found by Austin, as he and the missing Cinderella are named homecoming prince and princess. The diner staff stalls Fiona and her daughters, and Sam arrives just in time.

The next day, Austin covers the school in flyers, hoping to identify the mysterious Cinderella and Carter is cruelly rejected by Shelby. Austin's friends present him with a crowd of girls claiming to be Cinderella, without success. He is accepted to Princeton but unable to tell his father and visits the diner, where Sam tries to tell him the truth.

Brianna and Gabriella discover Sam's emails with Austin, realizing she's the mystery Cinderella. After failing to convince Austin that they are each Cinderella, the twins present the emails to Shelby, convincing her that Sam schemed to steal Austin away from her. At the school pep rally, Shelby and the twins perform a humiliating skit exposing Sam as Cinderella and she runs home in tears.

Having intercepted Sam's acceptance letter from Princeton, Fiona forges a rejection letter, further disheartening Sam. Rhonda encourages her not to lose hope and her stepsisters indirectly uncover a wallpapered-over mural of Hal's motto. Inspired, Sam finally stands up to Fiona and quits the diner, leading Rhonda, the rest of the employees and even the customers to leave as well.

Moving in with Rhonda, Sam confronts Austin for being afraid to show who he really is, in the locker room just before the homecoming game. Seeing her leaving before the final play of the game, Austin stands up to his father and runs after Sam. He apologizes and they share their first kiss in the rain as the drought suddenly ends, much to the twins and Shelby’s dismay.

Sam finds her father's will hidden in her childhood fairytale book, revealing that everything was left to her, including the house and diner. As the rightful owner, Sam is able to sell her stepfamily's cars to pay for college, while Fiona claims to have never seen the will before, despite having signed it as a witness.

Arrested by the LAPD and D.A., she makes a deal with the latter to work her debt off at the diner, now co-owned by Rhonda; her daughters, after retrieving Sam's acceptance letter from the trash, are also forced to work with her busing tables.

Andy accepts Austin's decision to attend Princeton. Carter lands a commercial and rejects Shelby for Astrid, the school's goth DJ and announcer. Austin returns Sam's cell phone and they begin a relationship, driving off to Princeton together.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Clifford Werber conceived a modernized adaptation of the Cinderella story due to its long-lasting appeal of being "the ultimate wish-fulfillment fantasy" with "an underlying message of empowerment."[3]

Filming

Filming took place from 30 June 2003 to September 2003 around California. Hilary Duff was 15 years old when she filmed the movie, and turned 16 when it was released. Notable specific locations include George's 50s Diner in Long Beach, 1272 E Calaveras St in Altadena, as Sam's House. Also Monrovia High School in Monrovia, California, Jerzy Boy'z Car Wash doubling as Big Andy's business venue in San Pedro, California and Pasadena City Hall. Other locations include Los Angeles, San Marino, California, Burbank Studios and the San Fernando Valley.

Release

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A Cinderella Story premiered at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on July 10, 2004.[4] It premiered in theaters with competition from other products that starred princesses or were fantasy-themed, such as The Prince & Me (2004), Ella Enchanted (2004) and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004).[5]

Reception

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Critical response

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On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 11% based on 102 reviews, with an average rating of 3.6/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "An uninspired, generic updating of the classic fairy tale."[6] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score on 25 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[7] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.[8]

Roger Ebert wrote that A Cinderella Story "is a lame, stupid movie, but Warner Bros. is spending a fortune to persuade [young audiences] to see it and recommend it".[9] Other critics panned the plot as "simple, lazy storytelling"[10] and "a dull rehash of the old girl-meets-boy chestnut".[11] They noted that its attempts to modernize aspects of the source material were gimmicky and led to illogical plot elements, such as a cell phone being the film's glass slipper and Sam looking too pretty and cheerful for an outcast.[12][11][13] Some particularly felt the use of a perfect teenager as a social reject delegitimized the moral of any average person believing in oneself.[11][13]

The film was nominated for five Teen Choice Awards at the 2005 ceremony, winning the award for Choice Movie Blush Scene, the same year Duff won the Kids Choice Awards for Favorite Movie Actress.

Box office

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In its opening weekend, the film grossed $13,623,350 in 2,625 theaters in the United States and Canada, ranking #4 at the box office, behind I, Robot, Spider-Man 2 and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. By the end of its run, A Cinderella Story grossed $51,438,175 domestically and $18,629,734 internationally, totaling $70,067,909 worldwide.[1]

Accolades

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The film won and was nominated for a number of awards throughout 2004–2005.

Year Ceremony Category Recipients Result
2004-2005 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actress: Comedy Hilary Duff Nominated
Choice Summer Movie A Cinderella Story Nominated
Choice Movie Blush Scene Hilary Duff Won
Choice Movie Liplock Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray Nominated
Choice Movie Sleazebag Jennifer Coolidge Won
Choice Movie Love Scene Chad Michael Murray and Hilary Duff Nominated
Choice Movie Chemistry Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray Nominated
Choice Date Movie A Cinderella Story Nominated
2005 Kids Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actress Hilary Duff Won

Soundtrack

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Main article: A Cinderella Story (soundtrack)

Film series

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Main article: A Cinderella Story (film series)

A Cinderella Story was followed by five direct-to-video films, each presenting a separate modern-day version of the Cinderella story: The sequels use the themes and situations that also borrow from the Cinderella tale, but do not contain any characters from the first film. Unlike the first film, the sequels also include musical, dance and holiday event themes.

Film title Year Director Starring
Another Cinderella Story 2008 Damon Santostefano Selena Gomez
A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song 2011 Lucy Hale
A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits 2016 Michelle Johnston Sofia Carson
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish 2019 Laura Marano
A Cinderella Story: Starstruck 2021 Bailee Madison

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "A Cinderella Story (2004)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  2. ^ Russo, Gianluca (August 11, 2019). "It's Time For a More Inclusive "Cinderella Story". Teen Vogue. Condé Nast. Retrieved September 14, 2019. What began in 2004 as a modern retelling of the iconic fairy tale... quickly spiraled into a cult classic yielding a decade and a half of follow-up films with different actors and plots...
  3. ^ "A Cinderella Story Production Notes" (2004). Warner Bros. Pictures
  4. ^ Lyford, Kathy (July 12, 2004). "If the slipper fits..." Variety. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  5. ^ McNamara, Mary (August 17, 2004). "A royal gain". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  6. ^ "A Cinderella Story (2004)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on September 3, 2010.
  7. ^ "A Cinderella Story Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 1, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  8. ^ "CinemaScore". cinemascore.com.
  9. ^ Valero, Gerardo (July 16, 2004). "A Cinderella Story Movie Review (2004)". Roger Ebert. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  10. ^ Smith, Anna (January 2000). "A Cinderella Story Review". Empire. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c Vonder Haar, Pete (July 19, 2004). "A Cinderella Story". Film Threat. Archived from the original on September 4, 2004. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  12. ^ Holden, Stephen (July 16, 2004). "FILM REVIEW; Shattered Pieces of a Glass Slipper: A San Fernando Valley 'Cinderella'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Anderson, Jason (July 16, 2004). "This Cinderella should have stayed home". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on August 4, 2004. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
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