MovieChat Forums > Cinderella (2015) Discussion > Worst story ever written!

Worst story ever written!

posted 9 years ago by HarveyManfredSinJohn
24 replies | jump to latest

So you have Cinderella who is classically beautiful, kind, sweet, intelligent, hard-working and prudent when it comes to money, and she is stacked up against her two ugly step-sisters who are physically and spiritually ugly, mean, petty, idiotic, vain and frivolous.

The odds are so stacked in Cinderella's favour as far as the Prince falling in love with her because there is absolutely no real competition for his affections. In other words, a completely boring story with no sense of tension or nuance or dimension whatsoever. Characters are either pretty and good or ugly and bad.

What a great message to send to kids, huh? You know, it's what is inside that counts and don't judge a book by its cover...and then we read them or let them watch this crap that associates physical beauty with spiritual beauty.

But that's besides the point. From a storytelling POV it's simply not interesting to make the villains so pathetic and completely outmatched by the heroine. Instead of hating them you end up almost pitying them and their weaknesses.

[–] Unvoiced-Apollo 9 years ago

The sisters were stated to be beautiful in looks but ugly in heart. And some have stated that they found one of the sisters prettier than Cinderella.

The reason there's no competition is because the Prince meeys Cinderella in the woods and is introgued by the only person, let alone woman, stand up to him.

If you're happy and you know it, go sit in the corner and think about your life.

[–] HarveyManfredSinJohn 9 years ago

The sisters were stated to be beautiful in looks but ugly in heart. And some have stated that they found one of the sisters prettier than Cinderella.

I'm referring to the Cinderella story in general, of which this is the most famous recent version, rather than this specific film. In most famous versions of the story, including the 1950 animated Disney version, the step-sisters are also know as the 'ugly step-sisters' and are clearly portrayed as physically unattractive/plain, especially in comparison to Cinderella.

It's also depressing that the makers of the new Cinderella decided, once again, to associate beauty and goodness with blondeness.

'Ever After' is, IMHO, one of the better versions of Cinderella because the lead is a relatively dowdy, non-classically beautiful (i.e. dark-haired and unglamorous) woman, with one step-sister who is presented as classically beautiful from a physical standpoint, if nasty and unsympathetic from a spiritual POV (unfortunately, the other step-sister is quite plain, but at least she is portrayed as a comparatively nice person in relation to the pretty step-sister).

[–] Unvoiced-Apollo 9 years ago

You do know there are several written versions of the fairy tale, right? And many include "beauty in looks but not heart" step sisters.

If you're happy and you know it, go sit in the corner and think about your life.

[–] Helenlaurence 9 years ago

This is not always true in fairy tales- Snow White for example. The 'wicked' queen is extremely beautiful.
I do take your point though- I can't imagine Disney ever having an 'ugly' heroine!
tbh I find this version of Cinderella quite irritating.

[–] TxMike 9 years ago

So, you're just in FULL TROLL MODE today, I see, posting the very same thing on multiple boards. Well I have an assignment for you, if you will accept it.

Please re-write all old fairy tales into a modern, more PC-correct sense and have them published. That would be an invaluable service to humanity and would help assure all kids grow up with a better appreciation for the truths in life.

What do you think, Sinn-Jinn?? You got game?? 

..*.. TxMike ..*..
Take a risk, Take a chance, Make a change. Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway

[–] HarveyManfredSinJohn 9 years ago

So, you're just in FULL TROLL MODE today, I see, posting the very same thing on multiple boards. Well I have an assignment for you, if you will accept it.

Please re-write all old fairy tales into a modern, more PC-correct sense and have them published. That would be an invaluable service to humanity and would help assure all kids grow up with a better appreciation for the truths in life.

I would love to. I have some ideas of how to re-interpret these stories with a more sophisticated and positive message (I'm not necessarily conscious of being PC per se).

But how easy do you think it is to get published? I'd say, not very.

[–] TxMike 9 years ago

If you don't try then you know you won't succeed. The easiest thing to do in this world is bitch about something. Most people only want to stop there, it is too much work to actually try to change things.

..*.. TxMike ..*..
Take a risk, Take a chance, Make a change. Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway

[–] phillindholm 9 years ago

I was hoping no one would bother answering the asinine rants of that clown who is obviously seeking attention wherever he can find it. Oh, well...

[–] HarveyManfredSinJohn 9 years ago

I'm not 'seeking attention'. This is not a fan forum but a place for discussion even unpopular discussion. I'm offering topics that are much more interesting and thoughtful than 'what a pretty film, blah, blah, blah'

[–] kelseycrosen 9 years ago

While I do think you're being a bit harsh on a fairy tale movie, I would LOVE to read a version that depicts the struggles that the characters have to make to be worthy of being called heroes and heroines, and following their journey until they accomplish becoming the characters we all know and love from our fairy tales. I think that a series like that would benefit children and teens everywhere. Life is messy, and teens especially could relate to a 'real' story. As for publishing, it's a lot easier than you think nowadays. You can publish in eBook form. That's where 50 Shades of Grey started, and I believe The Martian. And you'd make money off of it. Maybe a movie deal.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Alice-Morgan 9 years ago

I can't even finish this crap, what was Cate thinking when she signed up for this?

The universe isn’t evil, John, it’s just indifferent.

[–] JordanCarrington 9 years ago

Crap? Far from it, my dear. Maybe you should stop being oppressed and enjoy the story of one of the greatest fairy tales of all-time.

We write the story...

[–] ftlauderdalefilmfan 9 years ago

Dear Alice in Wonderland - The fact that you didn't notice that your good friend Cate, with whom you are obviously on a first-name basis, had one of the finest performances of her career in this film causes me to wonder what film you were watching, or rather didn't finish watching. Perhaps that is the reason you wonder why she signed up for this. After viewing this film multiple times myself, that is the only reason I can come up with for your astonishment.

[–] xanxei 9 years ago

Agreed, OP, and yet... there is Twilight. And Fifty Shades. At least Cinderella has the excuse of being a simple folk tale from olden times.

[–] louiseculmer 9 years ago

the tension does not arise from Cinderella's contrast with her stepsisters, but from their attempts to stop her going to the ball, meeting the prince etc. they are spiteful and cruel, which is what makes them unsympathetic, not their looks. i do agree though it wiould be better if they were not ugly, but in traditional fairy tales the bad stepsiters often are ugly.

[–] magnusplin 9 years ago

Obvious troll is obvious.

[–] willjohn 9 years ago

Bit late now.

[–] jerryrip54 9 years ago

Well then I guess you'd better just go lock yourself in your bedroom and cry yourself to sleep, because you sound like a petulant 9 year old. The story of Cinderella is such a popular and classic story that it was told by two different authors, one of them being the Brothers Grimm. You're probably the only human being in existence who doesn't like one of the original classics of literature.