i always interpreted that the step-mother did have some feelings of love towards danielle's father, mainly because of the scene where danielle brushes rodmilla's hair and rodmilla tells her she has so much of her father in her. the step-mother is so interesting because she has vulnerable emotions but tries to stop herself from experiencing them. angelica huston acts the part so well; when danielle asks "Did you love my father?" Rodmilla's demeanor changes, and though she'd been talkative the entire scene, it's at this subject that she shuts down completely. she evades the question with "Well I barely knew him" rather than answering with a yes or a no, which is interesting because it implies the answer is yes. the step-mother never passes down the opportunity to be cruel and insulting towards danielle, so this would have been the perfect opportunity to rub salt in the wound by telling danielle she never loved her father. but she did. after that, she tells danielle "Now go away. I'm tired" as a cover-up for the sadness huston clearly expresses.

Great video and analysis! It was so nice to see someone gush about this film. This is my favourite Cinderella adaptation and one of my favourite movies of all time.

“And though Cinderella and her Prince did live happily ever after, the point gentleman, is that they lived.” ❤️

I especially like that in the movie Ever After, one of the stepsisters, Jacqueline, is sympathetic and tries to help Danielle.  In the end, while Marguerite and Rodmilla are sent to the laundry, Jacqueline gets to stay and live in the palace with her new boyfriend.

I so love the diversion of one of the step sisters not being wicked. If anything, Jacqueline was also very much mentally and emotionally abused by her own mother. It clearly wasn't the same level of Danielle, but a loving warm mother does not constantly belittle and say cruel things about her daughter's weight, and any attempt to help Danielle was met with coldness from both her mother and sister. I liked that while Danielle is the main character, they both make a stand for their worth and I like to think they probably became like genuine sisters in the end.

It's a crime this film doesn't get more attention.  It's my childhood 😊

I love the quiet Cinderella arc that Jacqueline goes through in the background. She's born into an insufferable family that, at best, ignores her and, at worst, casually insults her. It's great watching her become stronger simply by becoming less afraid to express her helpful and kindharted nature. She's just coming into her own alongside Danielle's more dramatic story. I love when she's at the buffet table in her horse mask, and Captain Laurent is just thunderstruck by her beauty 😄

I love the characterizations in this movie. I could go on an and on about the main characters, but a special mention should go to the queen and king of France, played by Judy Parfitt and Timothy West. They perfectly play the undercurrents of a mismatched couple who still work together despite resentments.

The costumes in this movie are ABSOLUTE DYNAMITE!!!... Plus they couldn't have picked a more fitting actress for the role than drew...🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤

Ever after is definitely my favorite Cinderella story, but I wish they had made it into a book, I’d be reading that book constantly. (Like Ella Enchanted)

Did Danielle hide the dress? I was always under the impression that it was the servants along with Jacquelines help. When the Baroness and Marguerite ask Danielle about the dress, Jacqueline and the servants emerge at the same time, and the dress was probably taken when Danielle went to meet the Prince, and the Baroness was with Marguerite talking to the Queen.

I know it's spelled Huston but she pronounces it more like Houston the city. And yes. Ever After is also my all time favorite version of Cinderella too. <3

earned my sub because you've accomplished the unthinkable: I paid attention to a video essay. It's so hard to find engaging discussion about media that includes historical facts and contextualization, gives props to the prop department, etc. there's just something so human about the way you present this essay AND manage to not make your audience feel dumb, ya know? Even though I knew a lot of the facts, never once did I feel bored. awesome vid and i know it's not historically accurate but i wish the scottish accent could've stayed,,, it's just Good

I 100% agree that this is the BEST live-action rendition!
Drew Barrymore was absolutely PERFECT for this role! 💙
-New subscriber!

I don't know if this was a dissertation for your doctorate or not, but if it were I would absolutely be recommending you for the degree. Very in-depth study which reminded even myself of the amount of work Andy and I did on behalf of our (then) young daughters, and daughters everywhere, who desperately deserved a non-savior version of the trope. I watched this whole piece and appreciate your concerted efforts.  A bon-mot: there were cut scenes where Rodmilla was alone with Danielle's father which confirmed their attraction, as it elevated them both before his 'fall.'  And now it's history... or 'legend'

I know this is your only video, but I wish we would have gotten more of this kind of analysis. I’d love to see your opinions on other loosely historical movies like Interview with the Vampire (especially since Interview coves such a vast time period).

Also, I am convinced, whether it’s an intentional thing or not, that the Baroness treats Jacqueline worse than Marguerite because she sees more of HERSELF in Jacqueline…in that she’d be a girl who could marry moderately well but not the type to be Queen.

I appreciate that the step sisters aren’t physically ugly (or repulsive as they are in other versions) in this variation.

I thought it was funny your called out Cinderella for being a Pisces

This was a great video essay, it's so fun to see other people who love this movie too <3333

Um. Apples? I always thought she bent down and scooped up horse poop to hurl at him! XD

5:25 she look a lot like Danielle on this painting!!!

I loved this version so much.this is my first favorite.my second favorite was the version were she wore a beautiful blue gown to the ball.