CINDERELLA

Strictly Ballgowns

RELEASED OUT NOW! 2021 | 7+ | SVOD

Director Kay Cannon

Cast Camila Cabello, Nicholas

Galitzine, Billy Porter, Idina Menzel

There will be those who say this update of the well-worn fairy tale has changed too much in an attempt to be (yawn) “woke”. Sod them. As the characters themselves point out, falling in love and getting married after just one night is ridiculous – and besides, this Cinderella wants a career, not just a husband.

The fact that writer/director Kay Cannon has managed to squeeze this modern sensibility into a stale tale without it feeling forced is commendable – as is the energetic, likeable performance from Ella herself, The X-factor US star Camila Cabello.

Her prince, however, leaves a lot to be desired, with Nicholas Galitzine struggling to be charming in a role that’s traditionally paper-thin. Billy Porter’s flamboyant fairy godmother is a damp squib, too, with barely any time on-screen and not much to do while there.

Meanwhile the songs – mostly well-known pop classics – are enjoyably choreographed yet sound uncomfortably autotuned at times. And the less said about the mice (made up of British comedians) the better. Thank heavens, then, for Ellen Mirojnick’s utterly dazzling costumes: surely worthy of an Oscar next year. Just don’t expect one for Pierce Brosnan’s singing. Jayne Nelson

Billy Porter teamed with Mercedes-benz to create a “chariot” – an orange and goldglitter Maybach with massage chairs.

“Ridicule is nothing to be scared of, you know.”