Brosnan: Film reflects times we’re in
For Pierce Brosnan, the new “Cinderella” movie fits modern society like a glass slipper.
The film offers a fresh retelling of the timeless fairy tale with a diverse cast featuring singer Camila Cabello in the title role.
“We’ve seen many iterations of it over the years, very fine productions, but I think (writer-director) Kay Cannon really nailed it well, embroidered it well, to the times that we’re in now and for the empowerment of young women and women and the voices that need to be heard,” Brosnan said.
The musical comedy, now on Amazon Prime Video, stars Brosnan, 68, as King Rowan, a ruler beholden to tradition who pressures his son, Prince Robert, to marry a worthy suitor and one day take over his throne.
Robert becomes enamored by Cinderella, an underestimated aspiring dress designer who prioritizes her career dreams over marrying into royalty.
Many elements of the original fairy tale are included throughout the movie, with Idina Menzel portraying Cinderella’s oppressive stepmother, and with a key plot point involving Cabello’s character attending a ball with a midnight curfew. But the film is filled with timely updates, from a soundtrack with songs by Ed Sheeran and Jennifer Lopez, to Billy Porter portraying Cinderella’s fairy godparent, known as Fab G.
“Cinderella” marks the acting debut for Cabello, the Cuban-born pop star known for the hits “Havana,” “Senorita” and “Don’t Go Yet.”
Brosnan praised Cabello, 24, as a talented performer who “connects well with her generation.”
“She is just very strong,” Brosnan said. “She knows who she is, and there’s also a vulnerability there, which is very intriguing and captivating. She just has a great talent, and she loves what she does. She takes center stage with sincerity and passion, and a star is born. She was already and is a fantastic singer and writer, so she’s the real deal when it comes to playing Cinderella.”
The movie also served as a reunion for Brosnan, who portrayed James Bond in four of the spy franchise’s movies, and Minnie Driver, whose films with the Irish actor include 1995’s “GoldenEye.” Driver stars in “Cinderella” as Queen Beatrice, the wife of King Rowan who holds him accountable when he gets too stuck in his ways.
Brosnan said “the joy of reconnecting with Minnie” was one of the highlights of making the movie, as was crooning a “rather endearing” song to her character after King Rowan messes up.
“There was a lovely friendship to renew,” Brosnan said. “I suppose being on the horse and trying to sing to Minnie, and trying to be as funny as possible but as truthful as possible at the same time.”
The actor found it powerful to apply present-day sensibilities to the centuries-old story.
“It has a heartbeat of humanity,” Brosnan said of the film, “that kind of rings true to everyone.”
Sept. 7 birthdays: Saxophonist Sonny Rollins is 91. Singer Gloria Gaynor is 78. Actor Susan Blakely is 73. Singer Chrissie Hynde is
70. Actor Michael Emerson is 67. Comedian Leslie Jones is 54. Actor Tom Everett Scott is 51. Actor Oliver Hudson is 45. Actor Evan Rachel Wood is 34. Actor Jonathan Majors is
32. Actor Ian Chen is 15.