“Cinderella” (2021) is a Confusing, Schizophrenic Mess (Part I of II)

(3.5/10)

“Cinderella,” a 2021 musical remake of the classic Disney story, is one of the most schizophrenic movies I have ever seen. Does it take place a long time ago in some far away land, or does it take place in modern times in a land that is a weird hodgepodge of modern sensibilities and ancient traditions? Is this a comedy or a drama? Are the humors intended to be tongue and cheek, or are they supposed to be sincere? Should I laugh with the film, or should I laugh at it?

The questions that went through my mind as I watched this film are endless, but the greatest mystery of all was the tone that seemed entirely random.

Let’s start with Ella, a.k.a. Cinderella (Camila Cabello). Just like in the classic story, she’s an orphan who’s living with her stepmother and two stepsisters after her father passed away. She dreams of opening her own store as a dressmaker, but she’s forced to live in the basement and serve her mother and siblings. One would think this is not a happy life, yet from the very first appearance on screen she’s full of smiles, and the happy musical number adds to the cheery atmosphere. Check one for confused.

Then there’s the relationship between Ella and her stepsisters. At one point Narissa (Charlotte Spencer) stares in the mirror and asks Ella whether she looks pretty. The question seems sincere, which is confusing because I would have thought they do not get along. In response, Ella advises with a smile that the only thing that matters is how she feels herself when she looks in the mirror. This was likely an intentionally clichéd moment (because the other sister Malvolia (Maddie Baillio) quips “that’s deep”), which is perplexing because the scene just a second before seemed quite sincere. Narissa then comments that Ella has dirt on her face, which is bewildering because I was just led to believe that Ella and Narissa get along. Check two, three and four for confused.

(Continued to Part II)