Cinderella has always been my favorite princess, and one of my earliest memories is watching the musical version with my Mom. There was something about the story that enchanted me. So when I heard that Disney was to release a new Cinderella, and it was to be a human cast, I was really excited! When I went to see it exactly a week ago, I could hardly contain myself. I will say, the directer, Kenneth Branagh, and the main actors Lilly James (Cinderella), Richard Madden (Prince Charming/Kit), Cate Blanchett (Lady Tremaine), and all the other amazing actors and actresses did a phenomenal job portraying this story! They added depth and humanity to the characters that was not there in the original animated film. It is PG, but also totally family friendly! I didn't hear one curse word or sexual reference!! It was awesome, so if you can go, go :)
I realized that seeing this story through my now sixteen year old eyes is different from when I saw it as a little girl. Since then I have experienced a lot of what Cinderella went through and felt. I could relate to her when she was crying about her deceased parents, because I too have cried over a lost loved one. I admired how she chose to be kind to her Step-Mother and Step-Sisters even when they were mocking and bullying her. I too have been mocked and bullied. I knew how Cinderella felt when she entered the ball and saw the prince. I too have felt the butterfly's :) And I was filled with longing as she received her happily ever after with her prince! You see, it wasn't the fairytale that I love, or even the happily ever after. It is the truth found in the people's lives that make the impact. This Cinderella movie is definitely not just the same old fairytale of the girl who lost her shoe and found a prince. It is a story of a young woman who loves her family, and openly chooses to be kind to those who might not have deserved it at all. It is a story of the Feminine Genius in action. That beautiful gift from God that gives us the ability to have mercy, show courage, and be kind. These virtues are exactly why the Prince falls in love with Cinderella. The two characters meet in the woods, and have a rather short conversation. But in this little chat, the Prince falls in love with Cinderella, or maybe, in awe of her. He doesn't see her as a servant with cinder on her face, but a girl who is beautiful from the inside out. Throughout the rest of the movie he continues to love and respect her. Contrary to the Hollywood standard of love, this movie portrays a pure, and beautiful love story, that should make any girl swoon!
One scene that really grabbed me is were Cinderella breaks down into tears, because she has been very hurt by something the Step-Mother said, and the only way to escape is to ride her horse through the woods. This is where she meets the prince. This brought on emotions from the past few months, where I have been hurt by words said to me and I find myself crying and needing to escape. Usually, I remove myself away from people and go somewhere I can be alone, just like Cinderella. When I am in that place I talk to my Prince and ask for His guidance and comfort. We are all, young or old, like Cinderella. We have been clothed by our Father, the king, and made into a beautiful princess. Sometimes, like any daughter, we don't want His love, and we run from Him, leaving our shoes behind, and the King searches the entire kingdom for us. Remember, He loves you and wants to heal whatever wound might be on your heart right now. You are precious. You are worth being loved. You are His. Disney's new Cinderella reminded me of the power of love. When you have courage and are kind, anything is possible!
In Christ,
Becky
