April 9, 2004 (United States)
December 17, 2004 (United Kingdom/Ireland)
Ella Enchanted is a 2004 jukebox musical fantasy comedy film directed by Tommy O'Haver and written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, loosely based on Gail Carson Levine's 1997 novel of the same name. Starring Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy, the film is a satire of the fairy tale genre.
An international co-production between companies in the United States, Ireland and United Kingdom, the film was a box-office bomb and received varied critical reviews. It was heavily criticized for its changes to the source material and addition of new characters, and Levine stated that the film is "so different from the book that it's hard to compare them" and suggested "regarding the movie as a separate creative act". Nonetheless, the film has over time become a cult classic, with stars like Dancy making appearances at comic conventions.
Storyline
In the kingdom of Lamia, an angry fairy godmother Lucinda Perriweather bestows the "gift" of obedience on newborn Ella of Frell, causing her to instantly and literally obey any command she is given. Years later, on her deathbed, Ella's mother warns her daughter not to tell anyone about the gift for fear that someone might exploit her. Ella is also told there is something in her stronger than any spell.
Ella's father Sir Peter eventually marries a wealthy socialite, Dame Olga, who dislikes Ella and mistreats her. Ella publicly protests and then meets Prince "Char" Charmont, who invites her to his coronation ball. Jealous, Olga's daughter Hattie finds out about Ella's obedience and uses it to humiliate and control her. Ella resolves to find Lucinda to undo her "gift". Mandy, the household fairy, lends Ella her boyfriend, Benny, whom she has accidentally transformed into a magic book. Ella learns that Lucinda is in Giantville and goes to find her.
On her journey, Ella rescues Slannen, an elf who wants to become a lawyer rather than forced to be an entertainer. They are captured by ogres but are rescued by Char. He joins them, intending to avenge the death of his father, and Ella opens his eyes to the cruelty of the laws oppressing elves and giants enacted by Char's paternal uncle, Sir Edgar, the King Regent.
Ella and Char begin to fall in love. Together they travel to the capital for Char's coronation. Edgar learns of Ella's "gift" from her stepsisters. Knowing his nephew is in love with her, he orders Ella to murder Char at midnight and to keep this plan a secret. Edgar reveals that he murdered Char's father, and the prince's death will make him king. Ella writes Char a letter, saying she must leave but cannot explain why. She has Slannen chain her to a far-off tree, hoping to wait out Edgar's command, while Slannen recruits more elves and giants to protect Char.
Lucinda appears and Ella begs her to take back her gift. Offended, Lucinda insists that she remove the gift herself and unchains her. Forced to go back to the castle to fulfill the murder of Char, Ella stumbles into the ball. Char takes her to the hall of mirrors where he proposes. As she is about to stab him, she sees her reflection along with a vision from her late mother, and commands herself to no longer be obedient, which frees her from the curse. Char notices the dagger, and Edgar, who was watching in hopes of witnessing the murder, has Ella arrested before she can explain herself.
Benny reveals Ella is in the dungeon, so Slannen sneaks into the castle along with a band of elves, giants, and ogres, and frees her. Benny shows them that Edgar has poisoned Char's crown, intending to kill him at the coronation. Ella and the others crash the ceremony and a brawl ensues.
In the scuffle, Mandy manages to turn Benny human again. As Char and Ella fight off the guards, she confesses her love for him and reveals Edgar's plot. Edgar's talking snake Heston almost fatally bites Char, which he takes as evidence of his uncle's guilt. Edgar attempts to proclaim himself king, foolishly puts on the poisoned crown, and collapses.
Soon after, Char and Ella are married; and Char toasts to a new era of equality among all citizens of the kingdom. Edgar is revealed to still be alive, but disabled and confined to a wheelchair. The cast performs a final dance number of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" before the newlyweds ride off on their honeymoon.
Sound Effects Used
- Hollywoodedge, Baby Laughs VariousS PE144601
- Hollywoodedge, Bell Tower ClassicT PE191201
- Hollywoodedge, Cat Domestic Growl Sc AT011102
- Hollywoodedge, Crunchy Fist Impact PE247301/Hollywoodedge, Kick Body Hit 4 Thud Cr PE101601
- Hollywoodedge, Hub Cap Falls On Aspha PE077701
- Sound Ideas, BABY - LAUGHING, HUMAN 01
- Sound Ideas, BIRD, CROW - COMMON CROW: CALLS, ANIMAL
- Sound Ideas, BIRD, OWL - SINGLE OWL HOOTING, ANIMAL
- Sound Ideas, HORSE - EXTERIOR: WHINNY, ANIMAL 05
- Sound Ideas, HORSE - EXTERIOR: WHINNY, ANIMAL 06
- Sound Ideas, RURAL ATMOSPHERES - FARMSTEAD: LATE SPRING, EARLY MORNING WITH WREN, ROBIN, PHEASANT, CUCKOO, CHAFFINCH, HOUSE SPARROWS, GOLDFINCH, PEACOCK, FERAL PIGEON AND COCKEREL - DISTANT SHEEP AND CATTLE. DEVON- MAY 81