Ella Enchanted Movie

Ella Enchanted
Rating:
Run Time: 101 min
MPAA Rating: PG
Released: 2004
Directors: Tommy O'Haver
Genre/Type: Comedy
Fantasy
Romantic Fantasy
Fantasy Comedy
Teen Movie
Producers: Jane Startz
Plot Synopsis by Tracie Cooper
Adapted from author Gail Carson Levine's award-winning children's book of the same name, the Miramax-financed modern fantasy Ella Enchanted is directed by Tommy O'Haver and stars The Princess Diaries alumna Anne Hathaway. Ella (Hathaway) lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of their birth, is given a virtuous "gift" from a fairy godmother. Ella's so-called gift, however, is obedience. This birthright proves itself to be quite the curse once Ella finds herself in the hands of several unscrupulous characters whom she quite literally cannot disobey. Determined to gain control of her life and decisions, Ella sets off on a journey she hopes will end with the lifting of the curse in question. The path, however, isn't easy -- Ella must outwit a slew of unpleasant magical creatures ranging from ogres to talking books with evil plots. Though perilous, Ella's adventures turn out to be necessary obstacles in the path toward finding herself, and maybe even true love along the way. Ella Enchanted also features Cary Elwes, who has starred in a fantasy feature himself (the widely acclaimed The Princess Bride), Hugh Dancy, and Patrick Bergin, among others.

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Lucy Punch is the actress who plays Hattie. She always has a small role in Grindhouse and another in Hot Fuzz. ChaCha!
Ella is under a spell to be constantly obedient, a fact she must hide from her new step-family in order to protect the prince of the land, her friend for whom she's falling. full summary | full synopsis
The Princess Bride is an oldie but goodie. The cast is great, the comedy is actually funny, and it has a similar feeling to the movies you mentioned.

Cast

Actors Character Born
Anne Hathaway Ella of Frell Nov 12, 1982 in Brooklyn, NY
Hugh Dancy Prince Charmont
Cary Elwes Prince Regent Edgar Oct 26, 1962 in London, England, UK
Vivica A. Fox Lucinda Perriweather Jul 30, 1964 in Indianapolis, IN
Patrick Bergin Sir Peter Feb 4, 1951 in Dublin, Ireland
Steve Coogan Heston Oct 15, 1965
Jennifer Higham Olive
Eric Idle Narrator Mar 29, 1943 in South Shields, Durham, England, UK
Minnie Driver Mandy
Joanna Lumley Dame Olga May 1, 1946 in Srinagar, Kashmir, India
Aidan McArdle Slannen the Elf
Jimi Mistry Benny
Parminder Nagra Areida Oct 5, 1975
Lucy Punch Hattie

Back to the topReview

Review by Derek Armstrong
Ella Enchanted is a surprisingly effective realization of its simple fairy-tale concept. A medieval teenager (Anne Hathaway) must do whatever anyone tells her, a curse that ranges from mildly annoying to incredibly problematic. Humorously, it also highlights our conversational use of command words, especially their literal interpretation. One such example comes when a castle guard tells a fleeing Ella to freeze, and she's forced to pause mid-leap, legs akimbo. The filmmakers are so true to their premise, even when the prince uses a common argument technique to focus her attention -- "Look, Ella" -- the girl gives a glance back over her shoulder, in deference to the gimmick. The same high level of care applies to the film's terrific-looking storybook world, which employs modern sensibilities (such as a medieval mall opening) in a charming way. Production designer Norman Garwood brings his Princess Bride pedigree to the project, joining the CG artists to conjure majestic "helicopter shots" of the kingdom's countryside, as well as inventive creatures and other details that go beyond what's usually required of a teen romantic fantasy. But despite its attempts to be more than that, Ella Enchanted's inescapable teen focus may prevent it from fully appealing to other demographics. Prince Char (Hugh Dancy) is a little too much of an olden-times Backstreet Boy, and Hathaway may be too identified with the Princess Diaries movies for older audiences. Plot-wise, there's also a potentially frustrating, unexploited loophole to Ella's curse -- namely, that Ella's goofy aunt (Minnie Driver) should be able to save Ella by ordering her to do the opposite of what her various adversaries tell her. But then, as they say, there would be no movie. Ultimately, only a real ogre could stay grumpy at Ella Enchanted for very long.

Ella Enchanted on TV

Zip Code: 10010 · Provider: Verizon Fios Freehold NY Plus-Digital (Jersey City) Edit
Tonight , 8:00 PM ET · Ella Enchanted  · Channel 250 · DISN · Duration: 120 min.
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