I mean, when it comes to films that were right up there on my list of big ones to watch out for this year, a kids’ film about a damsel in distress with a big ’ole floaty dress wasn’t exactly up there. But, nevertheless I took myself along to see Cinderella and you know what? I had a billboard time.
This live action version of the Disney film has been dominating the press of late. It came out in America a few weeks back and, since then, the whole entire world has flipped the fuck out about whether or not Lily James’ waist has been digitally altered to look smaller.
When we went down to last week’s press conference, Sandy Powell, the film’s costumer designer, addressed the issue by stating that she ‘didn’t really understand what the concerns are about’. She added that Lily James, who plays Cinderella, has a naturally small waist, and that her dress was actually an ‘optical illusion’ – ‘The diameter of the skirt is about 2 metres and then it’s got the width here [on the shoulders] and that really does make the waist look small.’
Producer Allison Shearmur also added that concerns over Waist-gate have resulted in viewers ‘kind of paying attention to the opposite theme of the movie, which is your sense of beauty and strength is what’s on the inside.’
She said: ‘I think it’s interesting the conversation has been about the outside because this is a movie where the real emphasis is on the inside.’
Lily James summed up the cast’s thoughts by arguing that really, when considering what the film’s message, the bodily issues were ‘irrelevant’.
Anyways, waist aside (and TBF there is an entire scene in the film devoted to proving how shitty corsets are to wear) the film is glorious. It’s about as edgy as a Mumford & Sons concert and is more earnest than your mate’s adorable puppy but, as long as you’re not completely dead inside, that’s not going to matter one little bit.
First, the vanilla: Lily James as Cinderella is that friend you’ve got who is the absolute worst if you fancy a good old bitch. She’s able to see good in everyone and is forever chanting, ‘Have courage, be kind’ under her breath. The Prince is cut from the same cloth, he’s the sort of chap you’d swipe right for on Tinder for his looks then drop after a couple of dates because ‘he was just too nice’. That’s not to say the actors aren’t great, it’s just as characters? They’re kind of hard to engage with.
The real treats come in the other characters. Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother is a vision in structured puce, vermillion and emerald as she manages to say more with one arch of the eyebrow than any other character on screen. Sophie McShera (Daisy from Downton Abbey) and Holliday Grainger are super as the spoilt stepsisters and Helena Bonham Carter does exactly what it says on the tried and tested Helena Bonham Carter tin for her turn as the Fairy Godmother.
The best parts by far though are when there’s a massive old spectacle on screen to look at. The ball at the palace is magical: decadent, beautiful and basically the thing I’m now basing my future wedding on, even though you know, I don’t even know if I’m even getting married or whatever. And, if you need something to melt that stone cold cynical British heart of yours, one watch of the scene with the Fairy Godmother will transport you right back to being five years old again.
Do you know what, too? As healthy feminists in 2015, we’re all smart enough to know the whole concept of Cinderella is problematic: a damsel in distress that only gets granted salvation when she’s rescued by a man? Not ideal. But, to its credit, the film does timidly try to right the balance. It’s because of Cinderella’s strong-willed nature that the Prince is first attracted to her and, at the end when the glass slipper fits (spoiler?), Cinders says to Princey she’ll come with him ‘only if you take me as I am’, and he replies with the same sentiment. (Although TBF, this does come seconds after she says the word ‘dowry’…)
Anyways, in short, Cinderella’s great. Sure it’s not going to change your view of the world or educate the masses on the troubles of some far-flung nation but, if it’s a glorious Sunday afternoon treat you’re after, go, indulge and come out feeling a little bit lighter.
With additional reporting by Becky Fearn
Like this? Then you might also be interested in:
How To Frozen The Fuck Out Of Your Occasionwear Whether You’re More Elsa Or Olaf
Follow Jess on Twitter @Jess_Commons
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.