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{{Short description|1998 American romantic drama film}}
{{refimprove|date=August 2014}}
{{about|the 1998 film}}
{{About|the 1998 film}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
|name = Ever After: A Cinderella Story
| name = Ever After
|image = Everafterposter.jpg
| image = Everafterposter.jpg
|caption = Theatrical release poster
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
|director = [[Andy Tennant]]
| director = [[Andy Tennant]]
|producer = [[Mireille Soria]]<br />Tracey Trench
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Mireille Soria]]
* [[Tracey Trench]]}}
|screenplay = [[Susannah Grant]]<br />[[Andy Tennant]]<br />Rick Parks
| screenplay = {{Plainlist|
* [[Susannah Grant]]
* Andy Tennant
* Rick Parks}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|<!--Per poster billing-->
|based on = ''[[Cinderella]]'' by [[Charles Perrault]]
* [[Drew Barrymore]]
|starring = [[Drew Barrymore]]<br />[[Anjelica Huston]]<br />[[Dougray Scott]]<br />[[Megan Dodds]]<br />[[Melanie Lynskey]]<br />[[Jeanne Moreau]]
* [[Anjelica Huston]]
|music = [[George Fenton]]
* [[Dougray Scott]]
|cinematography = [[Andrew Dunn (cinematographer)|Andrew Dunn]]
* [[Jeanne Moreau]]}}
|editing = Roger Bondelli
|studio = [[Flower Films]]
| music = [[George Fenton]]
| cinematography = [[Andrew Dunn (cinematographer)|Andrew Dunn]]
|distributor = [[20th Century Fox]]
|released = July 29, 1998
| editing = Roger Bondelli
| studio = [[20th Century Animation#Fox Family Films|Fox Family Films]]<ref name="VarietyFoxRenamedToon">{{cite news|last1=Petrikin|first1=Chris|title=Fox renamed that toon|url=https://variety.com/1998/film/news/fox-renamed-that-toon-1117467902/|access-date=March 31, 2018|work=Variety|date=February 18, 1998}}</ref> (uncredited)<br>Mireille Soria Production
|runtime = 121 minutes (approx.)
|country = [[United States]]
| distributor = [[20th Century Fox]]
|language = English
| released = {{Film date|1998|07|31}}
| runtime = 120 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 120:56--><ref>{{cite web | url=http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/ever-after-cinderella-story-1970-0 |title=''Ever After - A Cinderella Story'' (PG) |work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |date=September 8, 1998 |access-date=January 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119065506/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/ever-after-cinderella-story-1970-0 |archive-date=2015-01-19}}</ref>
|budget = [[United States dollar|US$]]26 million (estimated)<ref name="Ever After:
| country = United States
A Cinderella Story (1998)">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=everafter.htm|title=Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)|author=[[Box Office Mojo]]|publisher=Box Office Mojo|date=1998-07-31|accessdate=1998-07-31}}</ref>
| language = English
|gross = $98,005,666<ref name="Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)"/>
| budget = $26 million<ref name="mojo">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=everafter.htm |title=Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=September 16, 2010}}</ref>
| gross = $98 million<ref name="mojo"/>
}}
}}
'''''Ever After''''' (known in promotional material as '''''Ever After: A Cinderella Story''''') is a 1998 American [[Romance film|romantic]] [[historical drama|period drama]] film inspired by the [[Charles Perrault]] [[fairy tale]] "[[Cinderella]]". It is directed by [[Andy Tennant]] and stars [[Drew Barrymore]], [[Anjelica Huston]], [[Dougray Scott]] and [[Jeanne Moreau]]. Tennant, [[Susannah Grant]] and Rick Parks wrote the screenplay while [[George Fenton]] composed the original music score.


The film removes the [[pantomime]] and [[supernatural]] elements commonly found in retellings of the Cinderella tale and instead treats the story as [[historical fiction]], setting it in [[Renaissance]]-era France. It is considered to be a modern, [[Third-wave feminism|post-feminist]] interpretation of the fairy tale.<ref name="feminism">{{cite book | editor-last = Haase | editor-first = Donald |title = Fairy Tales and Feminism: New Approaches | publisher = Wayne State University Press | year = 2004 | isbn = 0-8143-3030-4}}</ref>
'''''Ever After: A Cinderella Story''''' is a [[1998 in film|1998]] [[film]] inspired by the [[fairy tale]] ''[[Cinderella]]'', directed by [[Andy Tennant]] and starring [[Drew Barrymore]], [[Anjelica Huston]] and [[Dougray Scott]]. The screenplay is written by Tennant, [[Susannah Grant]], and Rick Parks. The original music score is composed by [[George Fenton]]. The film's closing theme song "[[Put Your Arms Around Me (Texas song)|Put Your Arms Around Me]]" is performed by the rock band [[Texas (band)|Texas]].


''Ever After'' was well received by critics<ref name="Ever After: A Cinderella Story Movie Reviews, Pictures" /> and was a box-office success.<ref name="mojo"/>
The usual [[pantomime]] and comic/supernatural elements are removed and the story is instead treated as historical fiction, set in [[Renaissance]]-era France. It is often seen as a modern, [[third-wave feminism|post-feminism]] interpretation of the Cinderella [[Mythology|myth]].<ref name="feminism">{{cite book | last = Haase (ed.) | first = Donald |title = Fairy Tales and Feminism: New Approaches | publisher = Wayne State University Press | year = 2004 | isbn = 0-8143-3030-4}}</ref>


== Plot ==
==Plot==
The [[Brothers Grimm]] are invited to an audience with the dying Grande Dame, who expresses her disappointment in their version of [[Cinderella]]. She produces a glass slipper and recounts Cinderella's true story.
In the 19th century, Grande Dame Marie Therese summons [[Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm|the brothers Grimm]] to her palace, where the brothers discuss their interpretation of the Cinderella story and notice a painting displayed in the room. Marie shows the brothers a glass slipper and tells them the story of Danielle de Barbarac, the true story of Cinderella. In 16th-century France, Auguste de Barbarac, father of 8-year-old Danielle, marries Rodmilla de Ghent, a wealthy baroness with two young daughters, but [[heart attack|dies of a heart attack]] shortly afterward. This causes Baroness to envy Auguste's affection for Danielle and treat her miserably. One of her stepsisters, Marguerite, abuses her while the other stepsister, Jacqueline, keeps quiet. By the time Danielle is 18, she has been reduced to a servant in her own house, raising bees and crops on the manor, and clinging to her father's last gift, a copy of [[Thomas More]]'s ''[[Utopia (book)|Utopia]]''. While collecting apples, Danielle sees a man stealing her father's horse, and unseats him with an apple. When she recognizes he is [[Henry II of France|Prince Henry]], she abases herself. He gives her a bag of gold in exchange for her silence. She decides to use the money to rescue their servant, Maurice, whom the Baroness has sold to pay her debts.


During the [[French Renaissance]], ten years after Auguste de Barbarac dies of a heart attack, his daughter, Danielle, has been forced to become a servant to her stepmother, the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, and stepsisters, Marguerite and Jacqueline. One morning, Danielle has an unexpected confrontation with [[Henry II of France|Prince Henry]] as he is attempting to flee in order to avoid an [[arranged marriage]] to Princess Gabriella of [[Spain]], at first mistaking him for a thief. Henry gives Danielle some coins to keep their interlude secret. He is eventually caught by the Royal Guard after stopping bandits from robbing [[Leonardo da Vinci]], whom [[Francis I of France|King Francis]] has invited to the French court.
Henry's escape from the duties of court is foiled when he encounters a band of gypsies robbing an old man. He learns that the old man is [[Leonardo da Vinci]], who has been summoned to court, then returns with him. Meanwhile, Danielle has dressed as a "lady of the court" and gone to buy back Maurice, but the guards refuse, saying he is being deported to the [[New France|New World colonies]]. She argues for his release, and when Henry overhears he orders Maurice's release. Amazed by Danielle's intelligence, he begs for her name. Danielle instead gives him her mother's name, "[[Comtesse]] Nicole de Lancret". [[Francis I of France|King Francis]] and Queen Marie of France tell Henry that he must choose a bride before the upcoming [[masquerade ball]], or he will have to wed the Spanish princess Gabriella. All the noble families receive an invitation, and at first Danielle believes she is included. When collecting apples, she meets Henry again by the river, in the company of Leonardo. They engage in a lively debate before Danielle runs off. Henry searches for her, inviting her to visit the library of a nearby monastery. On the way home, they are accosted by the gypsies, who are amused by Danielle's outrage and agree to release her with whatever she can carry. She picks up Henry, and they laughingly offer them a horse. They spend the night in the gypsy camp, before sharing their first kiss and arranging to meet again.


Danielle, going disguised as a noblewoman, heads to the palace to buy back a family servant, Maurice, who was sold by Rodmilla. Henry witnesses her arguing with the jailer and, impressed by Danielle's passion and intelligence, orders the jailer to release Maurice. When he asks for her name, Danielle gives her mother's name, [[Countess]] Nicole de Lancret. King Francis strikes a deal with Henry later that night. He will hold a [[masquerade ball]] at which Henry will announce his [[engagement]] to the woman of his choosing at midnight, or else marry Gabriella. Hearing this news, Rodmilla accelerates her efforts at getting Henry to notice Marguerite, while being increasingly neglectful to Jacqueline. Meanwhile, Danielle begins secretly spending time with Henry. After an outing at the library of the [[Monk|Franciscan monks]], a gang of gypsies ambushes them, but they offer to help them when Danielle bids the leader and attempts to carry Henry away. At the gypsy camp, they share their first kiss.
The next morning, Danielle catches the Baroness and Marguerite stealing her mother's dress and slippers for Marguerite to wear for the ball. Danielle fights with Marguerite until Marguerite threatens to throw ''Utopia'' into the fireplace. Danielle returns her mother's dress to the Baroness in exchange for the book, but Marguerite burns it in the fire anyway. When she meets Henry the next day, she wishes to tell him the truth, but is afraid he will reject her after he confesses his love. After the Baroness discovers Danielle is the Cometesse, she locks Danielle in the kitchen. Her childhood friend Gustave persuades Leonardo to help free her, making her a pair of wings for the ball with her mother's dress and slippers. Moments after Danielle arrives, the Baroness reveals the truth about her identity in front of Henry. Shocked and enraged over her deception, Henry refuses any explanation from her. While fleeing from the castle, she trips and falls, losing one of her slippers. Leonardo finds it, and reprimands Henry for his attitude to no avail, then leaving him with the slipper. Realizing Danielle is his match, Henry calls off his wedding to Gabriella mid-ceremony, only to find that the Baroness has sold Danielle to vile landowner Pierre le Pieu.


Rodmilla and Marguerite plan to take Nicole's wedding gown and glass slippers for Marguerite to wear at the ball. When Marguerite insults Nicole's memory, Danielle attacks and chases her. Marguerite retaliates by destroying the copy of ''[[Utopia (More book)|Utopia]]'' that Auguste had given to Danielle. After Rodmilla whips Danielle, Jacqueline expresses sympathy for her by tending to her wounds, criticizing Marguerite for her cruelty.
After he sees Danielle leaving Pierre's mansion, he apologizes for his ignorance and proposes to her, to which she cries into his arms and shares a kiss. The Baroness and her daughters are summoned to the court, assuming that Henry plans to propose to Marguerite. Instead, they are stripped of their royal titles and are threatened to be exiled from France. Henry introduces Danielle as his wife, and Danielle asks the King and Queen to show them the same courtesy they have shown her. The Baroness and Marguerite are hence sent to work as laundry maids in the palace, while Jacqueline is spared punishment due to her kindness towards Danielle, and becomes her lady-in-waiting. Marie tells The Brothers Grimm that Danielle was her ancestor and although her story was reduced to a fairytale and that Danielle and Henry lived happily ever after, the fact was that they lived. The brothers depart Marie's palace to share with the world the true story of Cinderella.

Queen Marie holds a [[luncheon]] with Marguerite and Rodmilla and expresses curiosity about the mysterious girl who has taken Henry's fancies. Rodmilla, recognizing the name of Nicole, deduces that the girl is Danielle and reveals she's engaged.

Danielle cannot bring herself to tell Henry the truth; when he tells her she has changed him as a man, inspiring him to build a [[university]], she is overcome with emotion and flees. Rodmilla confronts Danielle about her deception and the whereabouts of the dress and slippers, unaware that the servants hid them. Danielle strongly refuses to return them and Rodmilla locks her in the pantry. Maurice approaches Gustave in going to the ball to recruit Leonardo who helps Danielle escape. Leonardo, Paulette and Louise help prepare her in Nicole's attire. Danielle arrives determined to tell Henry the truth, but Rodmilla exposes her before she can. Furious at her dishonesty, Henry rejects her. Danielle tearfully runs away, leaving a slipper behind. Leonardo reproaches Henry for his callousness towards Danielle and leaves him the slipper.

Henry agrees to marry Gabriella, but realizing that she is miserable as she loves someone else, he calls off the marriage. Maurice and Jacqueline tell Henry that Rodmilla sold Danielle to Pierre Le Pieu. Henry rides off to rescue her, only to find that she has freed herself. Henry apologizes, professes his love for her, and proposes marriage by fitting the slipper onto her foot. Danielle happily accepts.

Rodmilla is summoned before the royal court and confronted for [[Treason|lying]] to Marie about Danielle; she is stripped of her title and threatened with exile along with Marguerite unless someone speaks for her. Danielle appears and instead asks that Rodmilla be shown the same "courtesy" she had shown her. Rodmilla and Marguerite are reduced to servants in the palace laundry. Leonardo gifts Danielle and Henry with a [[Head of a Woman (Leonardo)|portrait of Danielle]] that hung in the university until the [[French Revolution]].

The Grande Dame reveals to the Brothers Grimm while her great-great grandparents did live happily ever after, the point is that they lived.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
*[[Drew Barrymore]] as Danielle de Barbarac / "Comtesse Nicole de Lancret"
* [[Drew Barrymore]] as Danielle de Barbarac, the only child of Auguste de Barbarac and Nicole de Lancret
**Anna Maguire as 8-year-old Danielle
**Anna Maguire as Young Danielle
*[[Anjelica Huston]] as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent
* [[Anjelica Huston]] as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, Danielle's wicked stepmother and Auguste's second wife
*[[Dougray Scott]] as Prince Henry
* [[Dougray Scott]] as Henry, Prince of France, Danielle's love interest and son of Francis and Marie
*[[Megan Dodds]] as Marguerite de Ghent
* [[Patrick Godfrey]] as [[Leonardo da Vinci]], an artist, inventor and a member of the royal court
**Elizabeth Earl as young Marguerite
*[[Melanie Lynskey]] as Jacqueline de Ghent
* [[Megan Dodds]] as Marguerite de Ghent, Danielle's "evil" [[ugly sisters|stepsister]]
** Elizabeth Earl as Young Marguerite
**Alex Pooley as young Jacqueline
* [[Melanie Lynskey]] as Jacqueline de Ghent, Danielle's "nice" stepsister
*[[Patrick Godfrey]] as [[Leonardo da Vinci]]
** Alex Pooley as Young Jacqueline
*[[Timothy West]] as King Francis
* [[Timothy West]] as [[Francis I of France|Francis]], King of France and Henry's father
*[[Judy Parfitt]] as Queen Marie
* [[Judy Parfitt]] as Marie, Queen of France and Henry's mother
*[[Richard O'Brien]] as Pierre le Pieu
*[[Jeroen Krabbé]] as Auguste de Barbarac
* [[Jeroen Krabbé]] as Auguste de Barbarac, Danielle's father
*[[Lee Ingleby]] as Gustave
* [[Lee Ingleby]] as Gustave, Danielle's best friend and an apprentice painter
**Ricki Cuttell as young Gustave
** Ricki Cuttell as Young Gustave
* Kate Lansbury as Paulette, a servant to the de Barbaracs
*[[Walter Sparrow]] as Maurice
*Matyelok Gibbs as Louise
* [[Matyelok Gibbs]] as Louise, Maurice's wife and a servant to the de Barbaracs
* [[Walter Sparrow]] as Maurice, Louise's husband and a servant to the de Barbaracs
*Kate Lansbury as Paulette
*[[Jeanne Moreau]] as Grande Dame [[Marie Thérèse of France]]
* [[Jeanne Moreau]] as Grande Dame, Danielle and Henry's great-great granddaughter
* [[Richard O'Brien]] as Monsieur Pierre Le Pieu, a lecherous merchant
*Joerg Stadler as [[Wilhelm Grimm]]
* [[Peter Gunn (actor)|Peter Gunn]] as Laurent, Royal Guard captain
*Andy Henderson as [[Jacob Grimm]]
* Joerg Stadler as [[Wilhelm Grimm]], author and Jacob's brother
* Andrew Henderson as [[Jacob Grimm]], author and Wilhem's brother
* [[Toby Jones]] as Royal Page, Rodmilla's henchman
}}

Patrick Godfrey's wife [[Amanda Walker]] appears an old noblewoman.

==Historical context==
[[File:Lascapigliata.jpg|thumb|260x260px|The [[Leonardo da Vinci]] portrait, ''[[Head of a Woman (Leonardo)|Head of a Woman]]'' (c. 1508), is portrayed in the film as a depiction of Danielle]]
While the story is fictional, it involves several historical figures, places and events. The film is set in the 16th and 19th centuries and features [[Francis I of France|Francis I]], Prince Henry (later [[Henry II of France]]), [[Leonardo da Vinci]], [[Brothers Grimm|The Brothers Grimm]], as well as allusions to the explorer [[Jacques Cartier]], the fairy tale collector [[Charles Perrault]], the [[French colonization of the Americas|French colonies in the New World]], and the [[French Revolution]].<ref>''Ever After'' (1998) the movie</ref>

Though the main portion of the film takes place in early 1500s France,<ref name="Ever After: A Cinderella Story">{{cite book |last1=Loggia |first1=Wendy |title=Ever After: A Cinderella Story |date=1998 |publisher=Dell |isbn=0440228158 |page=18 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=98rqUnHW61sC |access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> the royals shown are most likely not meant to be the historical figures for which they are named. King Francis I summoned Leonardo da Vinci to his court around 1516, three years before King Henry II was born; neither of King Francis I's wives was named Marie (the first was named [[Claude, Duchess of Brittany|Claude]] and the second [[Eleanor of Austria|Eleanor]]). King Henry II was married to [[Catherine de' Medici]] at the age of 14 and had no known children with [[Diane de Poitiers]], a French noblewoman of great influence and the historical figure most likely represented by Danielle.


==Production==
==Production==
''Ever After'' was filmed in [[Super 35]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Jason |title=Ever After - Review |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/ever-after-a-cinderella-story-v163072/review |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=[[AllMovie]]}}</ref>
''Ever After'' was filmed in [[Super 35 mm film]] format; however, both the [[widescreen]] and pan-and-scan versions are included on the DVD. This is the only Super 35&nbsp;mm film directed by Andy Tennant; his previous films were filmed with spherical lenses, while his subsequent films used anamorphic lenses.


===Locations and sets===
The castle shown in the film is the [[Château de Hautefort]], in the [[Dordogne]] region of France. Other featured châteaux are [[Château de Fénelon|de Fénelon]], [[Château de Losse|de Losse]], [[Château de Lanquais|de Lanquais]], [[Château de Beynac|de Beynac]] as well as the city of [[Sarlat-la-Canéda]].
The castle shown in the film is the [[Château de Hautefort]] in the [[Dordogne]] region of France.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hodges |first=Christopher |date=2018-08-31 |title=20 Crazy Details Behind The Making Of Ever After |url=https://screenrant.com/every-after-cinderella-movie-behind-scenes-making-trivia-details/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Other featured châteaux are [[Château de Fénelon|de Fénelon]], [[Château de Losse|de Losse]], [[Château de Lanquais|de Lanquais]], [[Château de Beynac|de Beynac]] and the Château de la Roussie, that served as the house of the de Barbaracs, as well as the city of [[Sarlat-la-Canéda]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ever After: A Cinderella Story tour {{!}} Decouvertes |url=http://decouvertes.fr/content/ever-after-cinderella-story-tour |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=decouvertes.fr}}</ref> The painting of Danielle is based on [[Leonardo da Vinci]]'s ''[[Head of a Woman (Leonardo)|Head of a Woman]]'' (La Scapigliata).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kwan |first=Jamie |date=2021-02-10 |title=What do Leonardo da Vinci and Drew Barrymore have in common? Ever After |url=https://arslongajournal.org/2021/02/10/what-do-leonardo-da-vinci-and-drew-barrymore-have-in-common-ever-after/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=ars longa |language=en}}</ref>
The painting of Danielle seen in the film is based on [[Leonardo Da Vinci]]'s ''[[Head of a Woman (Leonardo)|Head of a Woman]]'' (La Scapigliata).


==Reception==
==Critical reception==
''Ever After'' has received mostly positive reviews from critics. Review aggregation website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reports that 90% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 61 reviews, with an average score of 7.5/10.<ref name="Ever After: A Cinderella Story Movie Reviews, Pictures">{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ever_after_a_cinderella_story/|title=Ever After: A Cinderella Story Movie Reviews, Pictures|publisher=[[Flixster]]|work=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=1998-07-31}}</ref> The critical consensus is: ''Ever After'' is a sweet, frothy twist on the ancient fable, led by a solid turn from star [Drew] Barrymore.<ref name="Ever After: A Cinderella Story Movie Reviews, Pictures"/> Another review aggregator, [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Normalization (statistics)|normalized]] rating out of 100 top reviews from mainstream critics, calculated a favorable score of 66 based on 22 reviews.<ref name="Ever After: A Cinderella Story reviews at Metacritic.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/ever-after|title= Ever After: A Cinderella Story reviews at Metacritic.com| publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]| work=Metacritic|accessdate=1998-07-31}}</ref>
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], 91% of 65 reviews were positive, with an average score of 7.60/10.<ref name="Ever After: A Cinderella Story Movie Reviews, Pictures">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ever_after_a_cinderella_story/ |title=Ever After: A Cinderella Story Movie Reviews |publisher=[[Fandango Media]] |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=March 13, 2022 }}</ref> The critical consensus states: "''Ever After'' is a sweet, frothy twist on the ancient fable, led by a solid turn from star Barrymore".<ref name="Ever After: A Cinderella Story Movie Reviews, Pictures"/> On [[Metacritic]] it has a score of 66 out of 100 based on 22 reviews.<ref name="Ever After: A Cinderella Story reviews at Metacritic.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/ever-after|title= Ever After: A Cinderella Story reviews | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]| work=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=September 16, 2010}}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade "A" on scale of A to F.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ever After (1998) A |url=https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date=2018-12-20 |work=[[CinemaScore]]}}</ref>


Lisa Schwarzbaum from ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film a B-, saying: "Against many odds, ''Ever After'' comes up with a good one. This novel variation is still set in the once-upon-a-time 16th century, but it features an active, 1990s-style heroine -- she argues about economic theory and civil rights with her royal suitor -- rather than a passive, exploited hearth sweeper who warbles '[[A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes]]'."<ref name="Ever After (1998) on Entertainment Weekly">{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,63674,00.html|title=Ever After (1998) on Entertainment Weekly| publisher=Entertainment Weekly|author=Lisa Schwarzbaum|accessdate=1998-07-31}}</ref> She also praised Anjelica Huston's performance as a cruel stepmother: "Huston does a lot of eye narrowing and eyebrow raising while toddling around in an extraordinary selection of extreme headgear, accompanied by her two less-than-self-actualized daughters -- the snooty, social-climbing, nasty Marguérite, and the dim, lumpy, secretly nice Jacqueline. "Nothing is final until you're dead", Mama instructs her girls at the dinner table, "and even then I'm sure God negotiates".<ref name="Ever After (1998) on Entertainment Weekly"/>
[[Lisa Schwarzbaum]] from ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film a B−, saying: "Against many odds, ''Ever After'' comes up with a good one. This novel variation is still set in the once-upon-a-time 16th century, but it features an active, 1990s-style heroine—she argues about economic theory and civil rights with her royal suitor—rather than a passive, exploited hearth sweeper who warbles "[[A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes]]"".<ref name=":0" /> She also praised Anjelica Huston's performance as a cruel stepmother: "Huston does a lot of eye narrowing and eyebrow raising while toddling around in an extraordinary selection of extreme headgear, accompanied by her two less-than-self-actualized daughters—the snooty, social-climbing, nasty Marguerite, and the dim, lumpy, secretly nice Jacqueline. "Nothing is final until you're dead", Mama instructs her girls at the dinner table, "and even then I'm sure God negotiates"".<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,63674,00.html|title=Ever After (1998)|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Lisa|last=Schwarzbaum|date=August 10, 1998|access-date=September 16, 2010|archive-date=October 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019172749/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,63674,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>


''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' film critic [[Roger Ebert]], while praising the film with 3 out of 4 stars, wrote that "The movie [...] is one of surprises, not least that the old tale still has life and passion in it. I went to the screening expecting some sort of soppy children's picture and found myself in a costume romance with some of the same energy and zest as ''[[The Mask of Zorro]]''. And I was reminded again that Drew Barrymore can hold the screen and involve us in her characters. [...] Here, as the little cinder girl, she is able to at last put aside her bedraggled losers and flower as a fresh young beauty, and she brings poignancy and fire to the role."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19980731/REVIEWS/807310302/1023|title= Ever After BY ROGER EBERT|work=Chicago Sun-Times|publisher=[[Sun-Times Media Group]]|last=Ebert|first=Roger|authorlink=Roger Ebert|date=1998-07-31|accessdate=1998-07-31}}{{Rating|3|4}}</ref>
''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' film critic, [[Roger Ebert]], praises the film with three out of four stars and writes, "The movie [...] is one of surprises, not least that the old tale still has life and passion in it. I went to the screening expecting some sort of soppy children's picture and found myself in a costume romance with some of the same energy and zest as ''[[The Mask of Zorro]]''. And I was reminded again that Drew Barrymore can hold the screen and involve us in her characters. [...] Here, as the little cinder girl, she is able to at last put aside her bedraggled losers and flower as a fresh young beauty, and she brings poignancy and fire to the role".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ever-after-1998 |title= Ever After |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |publisher=[[Sun-Times Media Group]] |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=July 31, 1998 |access-date=March 16, 2022 }}{{Rating|3|4}}</ref>


==Home media==
==DVD and Blu-Ray release==
The film was released on DVD March 3, 1999.<ref name="Ever After: A Cinderella Story Movie Reviews, Pictures"/> On January 4, 2011, the film was released on [[Blu-Ray]].<ref>[http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Ever-After-Blu-ray/17062/ Ever After Blu-ray]</ref>
On March 2, 1999, the film was released on [[VHS]] & [[DVD]].<ref name="Ever After: A Cinderella Story Movie Reviews, Pictures"/>

On April 11, 2003, the film was released on DVD with the movie ''[[Never Been Kissed]]''—another film starring Drew Barrymore—in a combo pack. On May 26, 2006, the film was released in ''The Drew Barrymore Collection'' Celebrity Pack, which also contained DVDs of ''Never Been Kissed'' and ''[[Fever Pitch (2005 film)|Fever Pitch]]''. On March 2, 2010, the film was released in a DVD combo pack with the movie ''[[An Affair to Remember]]''—a double feature celebrating [[20th Century Fox]]'s 75th anniversary; two months later, the film was then released in a DVD combo pack on May 4, 2010 with the movies ''[[Anna and the King]]'' and ''[[Australia (2008 film)|Australia]]''—a triple feature celebrating the same thing.

On January 4, 2011, the film was released on [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/4207/everafter.html|title=Ever After: A Cinderella Story Blu-ray}}</ref> On September 4, 2012, it was released with the movie ''Never Been Kissed'' in a combo pack on Blu-ray. On October 7, 2014, the film was released in a ''4 Drew Barrymore Favorites'' DVD set with ''Never Been Kissed'', ''Fever Pitch'', and ''[[Whip It (film)|Whip It]]''.

On January 6, 2015, the film was released in a Blu-ray / [[Digital copy|Digital HD]] combo pack, [[region-free]]. The film was also released on Blu-ray in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] on August 6, 2018. Then, on January 1, 2019, the film was again released in a Blu-ray / Digital HD combo pack but for [[DVD region code|Region A]].


==Musical adaptation==
==Musical adaptation==
{{Main|Ever After The Musical}}
A musical version of the film is currently in the works, with the book and lyrics by [[Marcy Heisler]] and music by [[Zina Goldrich]]. The musical was originally scheduled to have its world premiere in April 2009 at the [[Curran Theatre]] in [[San Francisco]], but the pre-Broadway run was postponed.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=2009-01-28|title=South Pacific Revival to Play San Francisco; Pre-Broadway Ever After Run Postponed|publisher=Playbill.com|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/125696.html|accessdate=2009-01-28}}</ref> In May 2012, it was announced that the project is back on track with [[Kathleen Marshall]] signing on to direct a Broadway run.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Kathleen-Marshall-to-Helm-Broadway-Bound-EVER-AFTER-Musical-20120515 |title=Kathleen Marshall to Helm Broadway-Bound EVER AFTER Musical; Music by Heisler/Goldrich |publisher=Broadwayworld.com |date= |accessdate=2013-12-17}}</ref><ref name="Marshall">[http://playbill.com/news/article/165992-Kathleen-Marshall-Will-Direct-Broadway-Debut-of-Ever-After-Based-On-1998-Cinderella-Film]</ref> The musical will also feature music by [[Zina Goldrich]] and book and lyrics by [[Marcy Heisler]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Barrett |first=Annie |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/05/15/ever-after-broadway-cinderella/ |title='Ever After' to hit Broadway in 2013 |work=Entertainment Weekly |date=2012-05-15 |accessdate=2013-12-17}}</ref> A workshop of the musical will be held from April 25 - May 15, 2013 with [[Sierra Boggess]] as Danielle, [[Jeremy Jordan (stage actor)|Jeremy Jordan]] as Prince Henry, and [[Ashley Spencer (actress)|Ashley Spencer]] as Marguerite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Exclusive-Jeremy-Jordan-Sierra-Boggess-and-Ashley-Spencer-Star-in-Developmental-Lab-of-EVER-AFTER-20130429 |title=Exclusive: Jeremy Jordan, Sierra Boggess, Jan Maxwell and Ashley Spencer Star in Developmental Lab of EVER AFTER |publisher=Broadwayworld.com |date= |accessdate=April 29, 2013}}</ref> The musical will make its world premiere at the [[Paper Mill Playhouse]] from May 21-June 21, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://playbill.com/news/article/188119-Paper-Mill-Season-Will-Feature-Can-Can-Hunchback-Ever-After-Vanya-and-Sonia-and-More?tsrc=hpt2 |title=Paper Mill Season Will Feature Can-Can, Hunchback, Ever After, Vanya and Sonia and More |publisher=playbill.com |date=February 26, 2014 |accessdate=February 26, 2014}}</ref>
A report in 2012 indicated that a [[musical theatre]] production was in the works, with the book and lyrics by [[Marcy Heisler]] and music by [[Zina Goldrich]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Barrett |first=Annie |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/05/15/ever-after-broadway-cinderella/ |title='Ever After' to hit Broadway in 2013 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=2012-05-15 |access-date=2013-12-17}}</ref> The musical was originally scheduled for its world premiere in April 2009 at the [[Curran Theatre]] in [[San Francisco]], but the pre-Broadway run was postponed.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=2009-01-28|title=South Pacific Revival to Play San Francisco; Pre-Broadway Ever After Run Postponed|publisher=Playbill.com|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/125696.html|access-date=2009-01-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131054014/http://playbill.com/news/article/125696.html|archive-date=January 31, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In May 2012, the project was back on track with [[Kathleen Marshall]] signing on to direct a Broadway run.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Kathleen-Marshall-to-Helm-Broadway-Bound-EVER-AFTER-Musical-20120515 |title=Kathleen Marshall to Helm Broadway-Bound EVER AFTER Musical; Music by Heisler/Goldrich |publisher=Broadwayworld.com |access-date=2013-12-17}}</ref><ref name="Marshall">{{cite web |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |url=http://playbill.com/news/article/165992-Kathleen-Marshall-Will-Direct-Broadway-Debut-of-Ever-After-Based-On-1998-Cinderella-Film |title=Kathleen Marshall Will Direct Broadway Debut of Ever After, Based On 1998 Cinderella Film |publisher=[[Playbill]] |date=May 15, 2012 |access-date=March 9, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518001557/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/165992-Kathleen-Marshall-Will-Direct-Broadway-Debut-of-Ever-After-Based-On-1998-Cinderella-Film |archive-date=May 18, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

A workshop of the musical was held from April 25, 2013 – May 15, 2013 with [[Sierra Boggess]] as Danielle, [[Jeremy Jordan (actor, born 1984)|Jeremy Jordan]] as Prince Henry, and [[Ashley Spencer (actress)|Ashley Spencer]] as Marguerite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Exclusive-Jeremy-Jordan-Sierra-Boggess-and-Ashley-Spencer-Star-in-Developmental-Lab-of-EVER-AFTER-20130429 |title=Exclusive: Jeremy Jordan, Sierra Boggess, Jan Maxwell and Ashley Spencer Star in Developmental Lab of EVER AFTER |publisher=Broadwayworld.com |access-date=April 29, 2013}}</ref> The musical made its world premiere at the [[Paper Mill Playhouse]] from May 21, 2015 – June 21, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://playbill.com/news/article/188119-Paper-Mill-Season-Will-Feature-Can-Can-Hunchback-Ever-After-Vanya-and-Sonia-and-More?tsrc=hpt2 |title=Paper Mill Season Will Feature Can-Can, Hunchback, Ever After, Vanya and Sonia and More |publisher=playbill.com |date=February 26, 2014 |access-date=February 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302173902/http://playbill.com/news/article/188119-Paper-Mill-Season-Will-Feature-Can-Can-Hunchback-Ever-After-Vanya-and-Sonia-and-More?tsrc=hpt2 |archive-date=March 2, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> [[Christine Ebersole]] played the role of Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theatermania.com/new-jersey-theater/news/christine-ebersole-paper-mill-ever-after_71726.html/ |title=EXCLUSIVE: Tony Winner Christine Ebersole Will Star in New Musical Ever After |publisher=theatermania.com |date=February 13, 2015 |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> Alongside Ebersole, [[Margo Seibert]] starred as Danielle, [[James Snyder (actor)|James Snyder]] as Henry, [[Charles Shaughnessy]] as King Francis, and [[Tony Sheldon (actor)|Tony Sheldon]] as Leonardo da Vinci.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theatermania.com/new-jersey-theater/news/ever-after-casting-paper-mill_72193.html | title=Full Casting Announced for Paper Mill Playhouse's Ever After | work=TheaterMania | date=March 20, 2015 | access-date=March 26, 2015}}</ref> Another production of the musical played at Atlanta's [[Alliance Theatre]] from January 15, 2019 to February 19.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Atlantas-Alliance-Theatre-Announces-its-50th-Anniversary-Season-20180326 | title=EVER AFTER, RIDE THE CYCLONE & More Will Appear in Atlanta's Alliance Theatre's 50th Anniversary Season | work=Broadway World | date=March 26, 2018 | access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> The production was directed by Susan V. Booth and starred Sierra Boggess as Danielle de Barbarac, Terry Burrell as Queen Marie, Todd Buonopane as Captain Laurent, [[David Garrison]] as Leonardo da Vinci, Chris Kayser as King Francis, [[Jeff McCarthy]] as Pierre Malette, Tim Rogan as Prince Henry and [[Rachel York]] as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Sierra-Boggess-Rachel-York-Among-Stars-of-EVER-AFTER-in-Atlanta-20181204 | title=Sierra Boggess, Rachel York, Among Stars of EVER AFTER in Atlanta | work=Broadway World | date=December 4, 2018 | access-date=December 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-Sierra-Boggess-Rachel-York-And-More-In-Rehearsal-For-EVER-AFTER-At-Alliance-Stage-20181220 | title=Photo Flash: Sierra Boggess, Rachel York, And More In Rehearsal For EVER AFTER At Alliance Stage | work=Broadway World | date=December 20, 2018 | access-date=December 21, 2018}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/a-first-look-at-ever-after-at-the-alliance-theatre#|title=A First Look at Ever After at the Alliance Theatre|last=Franklin|first=Marc J|work=Playbill|date=January 25, 2019}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Cultural references to Leonardo da Vinci]]
*''Ever After'', the novel by Wendy Loggia, based on the screenplay by Susannah Grant, Andy Tennant and Rick Parks


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0120631|title=Ever After}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{AllMovie title}}
*{{Amg movie|163072|Ever After}}
* {{Mojo title}}
*{{rotten-tomatoes|id=ever_after_a_cinderella_story|title=Ever After}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
*{{Mojo title|everafter|Ever After: A Cinderella Story}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}


{{Andy Tennant}}
{{Andy Tennant}}
{{Cinderella (Fairy tale)}}
{{Cinderella (Fairy tale)}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ever After}}
[[Category:1998 films]]
[[Category:1998 films]]
[[Category:1990s romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:1998 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s historical drama films]]
[[Category:1990s historical romance films]]
[[Category:20th Century Fox films]]
[[Category:20th Century Fox films]]
[[Category:American comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American historical drama films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:American historical romance films]]
[[Category:American romantic drama films]]
[[Category:American romantic drama films]]
[[Category:American romantic fantasy films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Francis I of France]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Leonardo da Vinci]]
[[Category:Film scores by George Fenton]]
[[Category:Films about orphans]]
[[Category:Films based on Cinderella]]
[[Category:Films about royalty]]
[[Category:Films about siblings]]
[[Category:Films based on Charles Perrault's Cinderella]]
[[Category:Films directed by Andy Tennant]]
[[Category:Films directed by Andy Tennant]]
[[Category:Films scored by George Fenton]]
[[Category:Films set in the 16th century]]
[[Category:Films set in the 16th century]]
[[Category:Films set in the 18th century]]
[[Category:Films shot in Europe]]
[[Category:Films set in Europe]]
[[Category:Films shot in France]]
[[Category:Films set in France]]
[[Category:Films set in France]]
[[Category:Romantic period films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Dordogne]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Susannah Grant]]
[[Category:Films based on Cinderella]]
[[Category:English-language historical drama films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic drama films]]
[[Category:English-language historical romance films]]
[[Category:Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award–winning films]]
[[Category:Saturn Award–winning films]]

Latest revision as of 14:33, 27 November 2024

This article is about the 1998 film. For other uses, see Ever After (disambiguation).

Ever After
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAndy Tennant
Screenplay by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAndrew Dunn
Edited byRoger Bondelli
Music byGeorge Fenton
Production
companies
Fox Family Films[1] (uncredited)
Mireille Soria Production
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • July 31, 1998 (1998-07-31)
Running time
120 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$26 million[3]
Box office$98 million[3]

Ever After (known in promotional material as Ever After: A Cinderella Story) is a 1998 American romantic period drama film inspired by the Charles Perrault fairy tale "Cinderella". It is directed by Andy Tennant and stars Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott and Jeanne Moreau. Tennant, Susannah Grant and Rick Parks wrote the screenplay while George Fenton composed the original music score.

The film removes the pantomime and supernatural elements commonly found in retellings of the Cinderella tale and instead treats the story as historical fiction, setting it in Renaissance-era France. It is considered to be a modern, post-feminist interpretation of the fairy tale.[4]

Ever After was well received by critics[5] and was a box-office success.[3]

Plot

[edit]

The Brothers Grimm are invited to an audience with the dying Grande Dame, who expresses her disappointment in their version of Cinderella. She produces a glass slipper and recounts Cinderella's true story.

During the French Renaissance, ten years after Auguste de Barbarac dies of a heart attack, his daughter, Danielle, has been forced to become a servant to her stepmother, the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, and stepsisters, Marguerite and Jacqueline. One morning, Danielle has an unexpected confrontation with Prince Henry as he is attempting to flee in order to avoid an arranged marriage to Princess Gabriella of Spain, at first mistaking him for a thief. Henry gives Danielle some coins to keep their interlude secret. He is eventually caught by the Royal Guard after stopping bandits from robbing Leonardo da Vinci, whom King Francis has invited to the French court.

Danielle, going disguised as a noblewoman, heads to the palace to buy back a family servant, Maurice, who was sold by Rodmilla. Henry witnesses her arguing with the jailer and, impressed by Danielle's passion and intelligence, orders the jailer to release Maurice. When he asks for her name, Danielle gives her mother's name, Countess Nicole de Lancret. King Francis strikes a deal with Henry later that night. He will hold a masquerade ball at which Henry will announce his engagement to the woman of his choosing at midnight, or else marry Gabriella. Hearing this news, Rodmilla accelerates her efforts at getting Henry to notice Marguerite, while being increasingly neglectful to Jacqueline. Meanwhile, Danielle begins secretly spending time with Henry. After an outing at the library of the Franciscan monks, a gang of gypsies ambushes them, but they offer to help them when Danielle bids the leader and attempts to carry Henry away. At the gypsy camp, they share their first kiss.

Rodmilla and Marguerite plan to take Nicole's wedding gown and glass slippers for Marguerite to wear at the ball. When Marguerite insults Nicole's memory, Danielle attacks and chases her. Marguerite retaliates by destroying the copy of Utopia that Auguste had given to Danielle. After Rodmilla whips Danielle, Jacqueline expresses sympathy for her by tending to her wounds, criticizing Marguerite for her cruelty.

Queen Marie holds a luncheon with Marguerite and Rodmilla and expresses curiosity about the mysterious girl who has taken Henry's fancies. Rodmilla, recognizing the name of Nicole, deduces that the girl is Danielle and reveals she's engaged.

Danielle cannot bring herself to tell Henry the truth; when he tells her she has changed him as a man, inspiring him to build a university, she is overcome with emotion and flees. Rodmilla confronts Danielle about her deception and the whereabouts of the dress and slippers, unaware that the servants hid them. Danielle strongly refuses to return them and Rodmilla locks her in the pantry. Maurice approaches Gustave in going to the ball to recruit Leonardo who helps Danielle escape. Leonardo, Paulette and Louise help prepare her in Nicole's attire. Danielle arrives determined to tell Henry the truth, but Rodmilla exposes her before she can. Furious at her dishonesty, Henry rejects her. Danielle tearfully runs away, leaving a slipper behind. Leonardo reproaches Henry for his callousness towards Danielle and leaves him the slipper.

Henry agrees to marry Gabriella, but realizing that she is miserable as she loves someone else, he calls off the marriage. Maurice and Jacqueline tell Henry that Rodmilla sold Danielle to Pierre Le Pieu. Henry rides off to rescue her, only to find that she has freed herself. Henry apologizes, professes his love for her, and proposes marriage by fitting the slipper onto her foot. Danielle happily accepts.

Rodmilla is summoned before the royal court and confronted for lying to Marie about Danielle; she is stripped of her title and threatened with exile along with Marguerite unless someone speaks for her. Danielle appears and instead asks that Rodmilla be shown the same "courtesy" she had shown her. Rodmilla and Marguerite are reduced to servants in the palace laundry. Leonardo gifts Danielle and Henry with a portrait of Danielle that hung in the university until the French Revolution.

The Grande Dame reveals to the Brothers Grimm while her great-great grandparents did live happily ever after, the point is that they lived.

Cast

[edit]
  • Drew Barrymore as Danielle de Barbarac, the only child of Auguste de Barbarac and Nicole de Lancret
    • Anna Maguire as Young Danielle
  • Anjelica Huston as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, Danielle's wicked stepmother and Auguste's second wife
  • Dougray Scott as Henry, Prince of France, Danielle's love interest and son of Francis and Marie
  • Patrick Godfrey as Leonardo da Vinci, an artist, inventor and a member of the royal court
  • Megan Dodds as Marguerite de Ghent, Danielle's "evil" stepsister
    • Elizabeth Earl as Young Marguerite
  • Melanie Lynskey as Jacqueline de Ghent, Danielle's "nice" stepsister
    • Alex Pooley as Young Jacqueline
  • Timothy West as Francis, King of France and Henry's father
  • Judy Parfitt as Marie, Queen of France and Henry's mother
  • Jeroen Krabbé as Auguste de Barbarac, Danielle's father
  • Lee Ingleby as Gustave, Danielle's best friend and an apprentice painter
    • Ricki Cuttell as Young Gustave
  • Kate Lansbury as Paulette, a servant to the de Barbaracs
  • Matyelok Gibbs as Louise, Maurice's wife and a servant to the de Barbaracs
  • Walter Sparrow as Maurice, Louise's husband and a servant to the de Barbaracs
  • Jeanne Moreau as Grande Dame, Danielle and Henry's great-great granddaughter
  • Richard O'Brien as Monsieur Pierre Le Pieu, a lecherous merchant
  • Peter Gunn as Laurent, Royal Guard captain
  • Joerg Stadler as Wilhelm Grimm, author and Jacob's brother
  • Andrew Henderson as Jacob Grimm, author and Wilhem's brother
  • Toby Jones as Royal Page, Rodmilla's henchman

Patrick Godfrey's wife Amanda Walker appears an old noblewoman.

Historical context

[edit]
The Leonardo da Vinci portrait, Head of a Woman (c. 1508), is portrayed in the film as a depiction of Danielle

While the story is fictional, it involves several historical figures, places and events. The film is set in the 16th and 19th centuries and features Francis I, Prince Henry (later Henry II of France), Leonardo da Vinci, The Brothers Grimm, as well as allusions to the explorer Jacques Cartier, the fairy tale collector Charles Perrault, the French colonies in the New World, and the French Revolution.[6]

Though the main portion of the film takes place in early 1500s France,[7] the royals shown are most likely not meant to be the historical figures for which they are named. King Francis I summoned Leonardo da Vinci to his court around 1516, three years before King Henry II was born; neither of King Francis I's wives was named Marie (the first was named Claude and the second Eleanor). King Henry II was married to Catherine de' Medici at the age of 14 and had no known children with Diane de Poitiers, a French noblewoman of great influence and the historical figure most likely represented by Danielle.

Production

[edit]

Ever After was filmed in Super 35.[8]

Locations and sets

[edit]

The castle shown in the film is the Château de Hautefort in the Dordogne region of France.[9] Other featured châteaux are de Fénelon, de Losse, de Lanquais, de Beynac and the Château de la Roussie, that served as the house of the de Barbaracs, as well as the city of Sarlat-la-Canéda.[10] The painting of Danielle is based on Leonardo da Vinci's Head of a Woman (La Scapigliata).[11]

Reception

[edit]

On Rotten Tomatoes, 91% of 65 reviews were positive, with an average score of 7.60/10.[5] The critical consensus states: "Ever After is a sweet, frothy twist on the ancient fable, led by a solid turn from star Barrymore".[5] On Metacritic it has a score of 66 out of 100 based on 22 reviews.[12] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade "A" on scale of A to F.[13]

Lisa Schwarzbaum from Entertainment Weekly gave the film a B−, saying: "Against many odds, Ever After comes up with a good one. This novel variation is still set in the once-upon-a-time 16th century, but it features an active, 1990s-style heroine—she argues about economic theory and civil rights with her royal suitor—rather than a passive, exploited hearth sweeper who warbles "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes"".[14] She also praised Anjelica Huston's performance as a cruel stepmother: "Huston does a lot of eye narrowing and eyebrow raising while toddling around in an extraordinary selection of extreme headgear, accompanied by her two less-than-self-actualized daughters—the snooty, social-climbing, nasty Marguerite, and the dim, lumpy, secretly nice Jacqueline. "Nothing is final until you're dead", Mama instructs her girls at the dinner table, "and even then I'm sure God negotiates"".[14]

Chicago Sun-Times film critic, Roger Ebert, praises the film with three out of four stars and writes, "The movie [...] is one of surprises, not least that the old tale still has life and passion in it. I went to the screening expecting some sort of soppy children's picture and found myself in a costume romance with some of the same energy and zest as The Mask of Zorro. And I was reminded again that Drew Barrymore can hold the screen and involve us in her characters. [...] Here, as the little cinder girl, she is able to at last put aside her bedraggled losers and flower as a fresh young beauty, and she brings poignancy and fire to the role".[15]

Home media

[edit]

On March 2, 1999, the film was released on VHS & DVD.[5]

On April 11, 2003, the film was released on DVD with the movie Never Been Kissed—another film starring Drew Barrymore—in a combo pack. On May 26, 2006, the film was released in The Drew Barrymore Collection Celebrity Pack, which also contained DVDs of Never Been Kissed and Fever Pitch. On March 2, 2010, the film was released in a DVD combo pack with the movie An Affair to Remember—a double feature celebrating 20th Century Fox's 75th anniversary; two months later, the film was then released in a DVD combo pack on May 4, 2010 with the movies Anna and the King and Australia—a triple feature celebrating the same thing.

On January 4, 2011, the film was released on Blu-ray.[16] On September 4, 2012, it was released with the movie Never Been Kissed in a combo pack on Blu-ray. On October 7, 2014, the film was released in a 4 Drew Barrymore Favorites DVD set with Never Been Kissed, Fever Pitch, and Whip It.

On January 6, 2015, the film was released in a Blu-ray / Digital HD combo pack, region-free. The film was also released on Blu-ray in the UK on August 6, 2018. Then, on January 1, 2019, the film was again released in a Blu-ray / Digital HD combo pack but for Region A.

Musical adaptation

[edit]
Main article: Ever After The Musical

A report in 2012 indicated that a musical theatre production was in the works, with the book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich.[17] The musical was originally scheduled for its world premiere in April 2009 at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, but the pre-Broadway run was postponed.[18] In May 2012, the project was back on track with Kathleen Marshall signing on to direct a Broadway run.[19][20]

A workshop of the musical was held from April 25, 2013 – May 15, 2013 with Sierra Boggess as Danielle, Jeremy Jordan as Prince Henry, and Ashley Spencer as Marguerite.[21] The musical made its world premiere at the Paper Mill Playhouse from May 21, 2015 – June 21, 2015.[22] Christine Ebersole played the role of Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent.[23] Alongside Ebersole, Margo Seibert starred as Danielle, James Snyder as Henry, Charles Shaughnessy as King Francis, and Tony Sheldon as Leonardo da Vinci.[24] Another production of the musical played at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre from January 15, 2019 to February 19.[25] The production was directed by Susan V. Booth and starred Sierra Boggess as Danielle de Barbarac, Terry Burrell as Queen Marie, Todd Buonopane as Captain Laurent, David Garrison as Leonardo da Vinci, Chris Kayser as King Francis, Jeff McCarthy as Pierre Malette, Tim Rogan as Prince Henry and Rachel York as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent.[26][27] [28]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Petrikin, Chris (February 18, 1998). "Fox renamed that toon". Variety. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  2. ^ "Ever After - A Cinderella Story (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. September 8, 1998. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
  4. ^ Haase, Donald, ed. (2004). Fairy Tales and Feminism: New Approaches. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-3030-4.
  5. ^ a b c d "Ever After: A Cinderella Story Movie Reviews". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  6. ^ Ever After (1998) the movie
  7. ^ Loggia, Wendy (1998). Ever After: A Cinderella Story. Dell. p. 18. ISBN 0440228158. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  8. ^ Clark, Jason. "Ever After - Review". AllMovie. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  9. ^ Hodges, Christopher (August 31, 2018). "20 Crazy Details Behind The Making Of Ever After". Screen Rant. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  10. ^ "Ever After: A Cinderella Story tour | Decouvertes". decouvertes.fr. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  11. ^ Kwan, Jamie (February 10, 2021). "What do Leonardo da Vinci and Drew Barrymore have in common? Ever After". ars longa. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  12. ^ "Ever After: A Cinderella Story reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
  13. ^ "Ever After (1998) A". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018.
  14. ^ a b Schwarzbaum, Lisa (August 10, 1998). "Ever After (1998)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
  15. ^ Ebert, Roger (July 31, 1998). "Ever After". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times Media Group. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  16. ^ "Ever After: A Cinderella Story Blu-ray".
  17. ^ Barrett, Annie (May 15, 2012). "'Ever After' to hit Broadway in 2013". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  18. ^ Hetrick, Adam (January 28, 2009). "South Pacific Revival to Play San Francisco; Pre-Broadway Ever After Run Postponed". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  19. ^ "Kathleen Marshall to Helm Broadway-Bound EVER AFTER Musical; Music by Heisler/Goldrich". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  20. ^ Hetrick, Adam (May 15, 2012). "Kathleen Marshall Will Direct Broadway Debut of Ever After, Based On 1998 Cinderella Film". Playbill. Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  21. ^ "Exclusive: Jeremy Jordan, Sierra Boggess, Jan Maxwell and Ashley Spencer Star in Developmental Lab of EVER AFTER". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  22. ^ "Paper Mill Season Will Feature Can-Can, Hunchback, Ever After, Vanya and Sonia and More". playbill.com. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  23. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Tony Winner Christine Ebersole Will Star in New Musical Ever After". theatermania.com. February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  24. ^ "Full Casting Announced for Paper Mill Playhouse's Ever After". TheaterMania. March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  25. ^ "EVER AFTER, RIDE THE CYCLONE & More Will Appear in Atlanta's Alliance Theatre's 50th Anniversary Season". Broadway World. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  26. ^ "Sierra Boggess, Rachel York, Among Stars of EVER AFTER in Atlanta". Broadway World. December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  27. ^ "Photo Flash: Sierra Boggess, Rachel York, And More In Rehearsal For EVER AFTER At Alliance Stage". Broadway World. December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  28. ^ Franklin, Marc J (January 25, 2019). "A First Look at Ever After at the Alliance Theatre". Playbill.
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