Will Cinderella go to the ball? That’s not the question in this modern retelling of the story of Cinderella. Instead, the question is – will Prince Charming find his princess in real-life after talking online?
The poster cleverly ditches Cinderella’s glass slipper heels for Sam’s high-top trainers instead. This reiterates that in order for the audience to relate to Sam, she serves to represent the everyday teenager, so we certainly align with her story.
There’s noughties nostalgia spread everywhere in this 2004 film. This is set up from the very beginning from the flip phones to the old computers. And even the Volkswagen New Beetle car of 2000 which came in a range of colours. In the film, Sam’s step-sisters, Brianna (Madeline Zima) and Gabriella (Andrea Avery Ray) drive a green beetle and a red beetle to once again bring attention to and highlight its era. A nostalgic element which is even further emphasised twenty-one years later.
A Much-Beloved Tale Full of Hope & Wonder
But it’s no wonder that A Cinderella Story (2004) not only stands the test of time but is beloved by so many and it’s partly owed to its two leading stars. Hilary Duff was the ‘IT girl’ of the 2000s while Chad Michael Murray was the teen heart-throb of the era. Both stars were big influences in the romantic teen dramas of the noughties.
It’s a Cinderella in contemporary form creating a modern-day classic. This film was a classic staple of my childhood era. Just like Sam, I too believed that anyone could turn their life around despite such tough obstacles. For a Disney film it delivers everything we expect – an uplifting story, a character’s journey full of hope and wonder, and a cast that is just as magical as the crafted story itself.
The story is led by Sam (Hilary Duff) – a reserved, calm-natured, and hard-working high school student who wishes to go to Princeton but is stuck in a bad situation. She’s working as a waitress at her deceased father’s diner which is owned by her evil step-mother, Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge). Everything Sam does is heavily controlled by Fiona and her interfering step-daughters. But Sam finds hope with her pen pal, aspirational writer, Austin (Chad Michael Murray). He too shares her inspirational dreams of attending Princeton.
An Uplifting Whimsical Feeling… With Added Sparkle
There’s a realistic representation of high school life with stereotypical students, each who still feel very real to us today. Interestingly, the idea of starting a relationship online is just as relevant twenty-one years on. Sam and Austin begin as pen pals with secret identities. They see each other in the school corridors but have no idea they write to each other. There’s an uplifting, whimsical feeling with added sparkle like a fairy godmother’s ‘magic wand’ set among the backdrop of a normal everyday world. It’s a fairy-tale mixed with a real-life-esque story.
A Wish Upon Future Stars
Take Hilary Duff’s career from a Disney child star in such films as Cadet Kelly (2002) and her most famous role as Lizzy McGuire (2003). Along with starring in heartfelt family movies like Cheaper By The Dozen (2003) and The Perfect Man (2005). Of course, Hilary Duff is also known for her music career having released five studio albums. It comes as no surprise that the majority of A Cinderella Story soundtrack is led with her songs.
Meanwhile, leading man, Chad Michael Murray brought his heartthrob status to the story. Especially having starred in a string of romance TV shows and films throughout the 2000s. His most famous roles include from Tristin in season one of Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) and Lucas in One Tree Hill (2003-2012) to Jake in Freaky Friday (2003) and of course, Austin in A Cinderella Story (2004).
Although we can’t forget that his high-profile romance and breakup with fellow One Tree Hill star, Sophia Bush made headlines in the noughties. Despite this, his status has made him such a recognisable face to represent the romance era of the 2000s. Certainly in terms of acting, he truly excels at the role.
Modern Re-working of Fairy-tale Characters
A Cinderella Story (2004) boasts talented actors who proceeded to win big Hollywood awards. Early roles for Oscar-winner Regina King, and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jennifer Coolidge add such a strong supporting cast. Opposite in personality, Regina King’s Rhea is a kind-hearted, likeable and extremely affable waitress who clearly has so much more potential than her current serving role.
Yet Jennifer Coolidge’s evil stepmother character causes her to be devious, manipulative, and downright rude. Both actresses play their roles exceptionally well and add so much charm to this modern fairy-tale adaptation. Whilst Sam’s best friend, Carter (played by Dan Byrd) is an aspiring actor who eludes a funny wit and charming screen presence. He’s the typical sidekick who supports the protagonist’s journey in a fun and mystical way but also travels on his own goal and developed story.
A Generation of Cinderella
The script is penned by Cinderella expert, Leigh Dunlap and is filled with plenty of cracking one-liners and memorable quotes that are still reiterated today. The talented screenwriter has since written a string of Cinderella films with Disney star leads. Including Another Cinderella Story (2008) starring Selena Gomez and A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song (2011) with Lucy Hale. To more modern re-tellings like A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits (2016) starring Sofia Carson, and A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019) with Laura Marano.
This Disney film really had everything going for it from the excellent writing to well-developed characters, and perfect casting with actors who helped create such a memorable film. Not only was A Cinderella Story (2004) a wonderful childhood film for the 2000s generation but still stands relevant for the children viewership of today too. It serves as a great insight into the noughties culture. The story feels heartbreakingly nostalgic as we yearn for something beautiful like this from the past but mixed for today’s world.
Waiting for you is like waiting for rain in this drought. Useless and disappointing.
(Sam Montgomery, A Cinderella Story, 2004)
There’s More to Ever-After?
Recent discussions on a reboot to A Cinderella Story (2004) has seen Chad Michael Murray pitch his own version of the film. The story pitched goes as follows – Sam and Austin are now adults who are no longer together. The idea that high school relationships do not always last. But later on in life they reunite and fall in love all over again. Hence a Cinderella story again through their new lease of love. With such an iconic anniversary, just maybe they will bring back more Cinderella magic to create further whimsical childhood memories for the next generation. They would be following ultra-special territory, that’s for sure.
Want to read more on the Teen Romance genre? Read our analysis on the ‘Makeover Scene’ in Hollywood Rom-Coms here.
