Danielle, a vibrant young woman, was forced into servitude after the death of her father when she was a young girl. Danielle's stepmother, Rodmilla, is a heartless woman who forces Danielle to do the cooking and cleaning, while she tries to marry off the eldest of her two daughters to the prince. But Danielle's life takes a wonderful turn when, under the guise of a visiting royal, she meets the charming Prince Henry.
Drew Barrymore plays the complicated belle of the climactic ball and develops a convincing intellectually based friendship with the prince.
– Lisa Alspector,
Chicago Reader,
16 Aug 2010
fresh:
The script by Susannah Grant, Rick Parks and director Andy Tennant successfully maintains the story's period trappings while introducing a heroine with modern resonance.
– Leonard Klady,
Variety,
1 Jul 2008
fresh:
Given that this is adolescent romance, never straying far from traditional stereotypes, its 'progressive' feel-good aura is mainly down to Barrymore, whose limitations are only exposed in big love scenes.
– Wally Hammond,
Time Out,
26 Jan 2006
rotten:
Though director Andy Tennant was enthusiastic about putting this kind of spin on Cinderella, his touch turns out to be counterproductive.
– Kenneth Turan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb 2001
rotten:
Too much talk, not enough wooing. In the end, Ever After's spell is only half cast.