But Danielle *is* a commoner. Her father married up- he’s a wealthy merchant and that’s why he travels a lot. It is implied that he marries for status and that the stepmother marries for money. Danielle is not any commoner but a gentry heiress, yet still, not a part of the aristocracy. That’s why Henry feels so betrayed at the end and the stepmother is furious at her: there were laws that prohibited impersonating a member of the aristocracy, and although Danielle is rich and “related” to one, she’s actually committing a crime.

I love the fact that the writer/people who made this was just like, "and we'll have Leonardo Da Vinci as the fairy godmother!" and they followed through with it lol. I loved this commentary, one of my all time favourite movies!

This movie gave me the niche desire to have an old, inventive, creative, man friend who provides mentorship, pretty outfits, and wingman-ing. Like that's where this movie becomes a self-insert fantasy for me

“Of course not, Mother. I’m only here for the food.” One of the things I like the most about this adaptation is it’s genuinely really funny, and this is hands-down my absolute favorite line. I aspire to be that petty one day

23:14 She was crying out in pain, because he touched her back, where she got the lashings.

This is my favorite version of Cinderella. No offense to the others. But this one just hit different. When the step mom answers the question 'Did you ever, for even a moment, love me?' That part makes me sob every single time. It's such a simple answer, but it breaks my heart. It's so raw.

23:13 lol girl, it wasn't the kiss that made her moan in ecstasy, it was that he grabbed her freshly-lashed back and she moaned in pain. 😆

Henry is hurt when he finds the truth. Yes she has been teaching him to see beyond, but she was doing so from an equal standing with him. He thought of her as a peer, someone who understood some of the troubles he was having, someone he could talk to, and then he finds that it wasn't like that. He was hurt, and when men are hurt they get angry. She should have told him at the ruins, and I think his response would have been vastly different. But he found out, as he was going to propose, in front of his family and all of these people, and he felt betrayed. I love how human everyone is in this.

I adore this film, Drew and Dougray's chemistry is radiant, and I love how it was a slightly different spin on the Cinderella tale.

You need to bear in mind that even though Danielle is not of the servant class and was born to a wealthy father, he was a merchant and not an aristocrat (basically he's new money) Her Stepmother (despite being poor as dirt) is a Baroness (old money). She is an aristocrat even though it is implied she was not born into that position but climbed the social ladder to attain her status. Regardless of the social climbing, Danielle would still be outranked by the Baroness and her daughters because she is not the daughter of an aristocrat with a title. It is only when she marries Henry and outranks Rodmilla as a Princess that she can reveal what she knows because it is only at that point where she has royal status that she will be taken seriously by the King and Queen.

Fun fact: Dougray Scott was cast as Wolverine for the live action X MEN movie, but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts with MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2. Drew Barrymore was going to play Rogue in the movie as well. Both roles went to Hugh Jackman and Anna Paquin.

I know the nice step-sister doesn't look "fat" and indeed she is not. However, this is 1998, and I specifically remember that during this time she indeed was considered fat. It's so dumb. This was the height of supermodel skinny and heroin chic as the beauty standard. Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce were called fat by many people and Angelina Jolie and her lips were considered strange and even ugly.....strange times.

I feel like he didn't see the girl who threw an apples at him. He had his cape over his head at first, and once removed she immediately dropped to the ground. She spends the rest of the short interaction with her head down so why would he recognize her face later? I think this is the movie's explanation. Also you do see her try to grab a sword during the fight in the forest.

Also I love this movie for how well it handled what would have been cliché in other adaptations: not-like-other-girls girl, girl saves herself instead of the prince, materialistic sexually-forward female antagonist, liar revealed, etc etc... it never felt like they were following tropes, or ashamed of the material. they just made a film that let the characters breathe and exist in the reality they created, if only more modern fairy tale adaptations could do the same

Yesss!!! I love this Cinderella adaptation! I love a lot of things about it, but I also love the costumes. Like the sister? She has a set gown that's saved for special events and she reuses it! The Just Breathe dress wasn't magic, it was her mothers. It also sticks out in the crowd since it's just a bit older than the current dress styles. A lot of period movies like to make it as if people have infinite closets, when people had pieces they mended and saved. Also there are plenty of one liner gems I didn't appreciate when I was younger. "I'm only here for the food" is my favorite.

I like where she 'takes only what she can carry'. Such a boss move.

Danielle has been so deprived of maternal love. I love imagining the Queen being just the best mother-in-law to her. Thank you so much for posting! I never get tired of this movie or finding other people who love it!

I grew up on this Cinderella. Once my siblings told me I looked like Danielle, and I still consider it one of the best compliments I've ever gotten.

This will always be my favourite Cinderella film, I love that they actually spend time together and the prince isn’t a blank slate and has some character development, I also like that Danielle is kind but without being a totally pushover

I love this movie so much! By far my favorite Cinderella adaption next to Brandy's. Also regarding when Danielle yelled in pain when henry hugged her during their meeting in his hideaway area, it was due to the lashes she received when he touched her back.

This didn't occur to me until someone mentioned it in another reaction to this movie last year, but I think the reason she cries out at 23:14 is because he touched her back which is still torn up from being whipped, which when you think about it is heartbreaking because even in the midst of this passionate moment she is suddenly reminded of who she really is and what she has to endure in her own reality. It makes the thought of having a future with a handsome prince feel that much more unattainable.

I had so much to say about this movie that my first round of edits left it at a whopping 45.5 minutes long!!! I tried to leave the best parts in hehe happy early Valentine’s Day!!! 💕💕

"Imagine how traumatic it is, to like watch your father like die right in front of you" Oh, Sophia I chuckled so hard because this happened to me... without the crazy camera zoom lol

i love the scene where the stepmother tells Danielle she looks like her father, but then immediately throws in an insult saying her features are too masculine. she just keeps bringing Danielle's spirits up and down throughout the scene. and then comes the "i barely knew him" line, it just gets me every time.

When you think about it, with all DaVinci does for Danielle; making her a dress, facilitating her intelligence and meeting the Prince, getting the Prince to come down from his high horse. DaVinci is technically the Fairy Godmother (er, Fairy Godfather).

Yeah you're right about Henry. He could've just been so hurt by her lying to him that he goes quiet and refuses to speak to her, maybe doesn't defend her as she's being shamed by the Baroness. As it is he doesn't do enough to earn her forgiveness at the end. My only real issue with the movie.

I absolutely love this film and it was so fun watching you react to it! Fun fact: the scene with Elle carrying the prince on her back is based off a true historical event! It's the story of the Siege of Weinsberg.

Don't have time to watch this yet but I SO agree with the title. The scene where she tries to carry him off remains seared in my brain. That's the level of bad-assery I always aspire to.

I’ve got a charming story to share. My mom and her best friend went to this movie when it came out, expecting a lovey dovey tear jerker but instead they were laughing out loud when Danielle floored the prince with the apple. I at one point bought the movie on dvd and she told me the story with a fond smile on her face, her friend having passed away. Years later I take out the dvd and show it to my friend telling her it is the superior Cinderella story. The scene popped up where Danielle one hit KO’s the prince off his horse and we burst out laughing. At that moment I felt such a connection with my mum and my auntie, it was really wholesome

I only watched this movie for the first time recently and I was so surprised by just how charming it was. The leads had me giggling and twirling my hair (and shocked at the first kiss because it was certainly a kiss 😏). I want modern movies with this kind of vibe

Did you know there was a stage musical based off of this movie? There’s a whole song dedicated to her wet paper lie of staying with her cousin lol

The Cinderella 2015, with lily james is one of my favorite Cinderella adaptations

It is THE best cinderella adaptation BY FAR

Sophia if you love period dramas and are down to do a bit of a longer haul (doesn’t even necessarily need to be for the channel lol) I’d like to recommend “North and South” - BBC did a mini series in 2004. It’s about a woman from the south of England who moves north to an industrial town during the Industrial Revolution. She has to overcome the old ideas the English had about class (those being in trade were always seen as below the gentry) because she falls in love with one of the factory owners. Be in turn learns from her how to treat his workers fairly…omg it’s very pride and prejudice and overcoming biases and UNDERRATED

1:20 Speaking of Brothers Grimm, I've just remembered that movie with Heath Ledger exists and is pretty fun.

She didn’t orgasm 😂 (I know you’re joking tho) but don’t forget her stepmother gave her lashings over the dress/shoes situation so when Henry went in for a kiss and hug, he was pressing her wounds hence why she winced in pain

This is my second fave Cinderella (brandy being the first). It never gets old ❤

I will say, this adaptation is basically the only one where I kinda understand why she stays. In all the other ones I’m like “girl move to the city and get a dang job in a bakery or something!” lol! But here it’s not JUST her home, it’s the fellow servants being her very real family

I forgot this movie and felt so much deja vu while watching it. I must say I'm glad they added the wings even if its not historically accurate is iconic and was the final piece that helped me remember this gem.

I adored this ever since middle school. 10/10 the best version of this classic fairytale, thank you for this wonderful react 🥰

Both great choices for Cinderella stories. I couldn't say it any better. I remember people saying the ending is anticlimactic but I love it. She saves herself. True boss moment.

Melanie Lynskey (nice step sister) does so well as Shauna in the show Yellowjackets!

I’m so happy you’re watching this! It is genuinely one of my favorites. I’ve watched it 4 times this week. I just love how it gives Danielle and Henry time to really get to know one another and it’s not Disney insta love. The score and scenes where Danielle and Henry spend the day together are some of my favorite. This movie makes me love love. And the END! The grovel and intimacy in them truly seeing each other just grips my heart. I LOVE IT 💕💕

I love this adaptation so much! ❤ thanks for doing a reaction to it! Drew plays such a smart, witty, brave and fearless Cinderella ! I watched this movie on tv so many times as a kid lol

The era is the Renaissance. For Leonardo Da Vinci is still alive and he has painted the Mona Lisa has been completed, it would have to be the beginning of the 16th century (Mona Lisa: 1503, Death of Leonardo Da Vinci: 1519). The costuming is pretty consistent with that era too, including the tennis player's codpiece. Though this makes the line about "Divorce is only something they do in England" a bit awkward because Henry VIII got his first divorce in 1533. (Also when you said it was like she orgasmed, it was because the Prince touched her back where she was lashed. It was a pain reaction)

This is one of my absolute favorite movies, it was randomly selected as the “girls” movie option in 3rd grade for a movie day we had and the “boys” movie wasn’t something I was interested in so I decided this was fine. And I fell in love with it, I rewatch this all the time.

This is by far my #1 favorite Cinderella remake my 2nd is of course Disney’s 2015 live action. Some of my favorite thing about this movie is that it’s more realistic and one of the step sisters are actually nice to her and they actually have a decent friendship and that Danielle fights back aka punch’s the mean sister in the face etc. I love romantic movie specially if they’re set to be in the past like this and is a fairytale type of movie. Love the videos! You do such an amazing job!

BRO, sophia looks stunning

Yesss I've been waiting and hoping for this movie💕 Plus the iconic magritte punch scene *chefs kiss*

I was obsessed with this movie as a tween. Still love it, even for all its cheese. And you're totally right him retaliating when he finds out she's a servant is all on him. Like did he actually believe all the stuff about ignoring stations or not?

My favorite retelling of Cinderella next to Ella Enchanted of course, though that one is more funny and lighthearted ♥

Of all the reproductions I've sewn from the movie, that silver ball gown was the most fun (and tedious, but worth it) to do. Took me six months or so, because have you SEEN it up close? Pearls everywhere! Sparkly! Woo!.........on the downside I never did figure out how to do the stupid wings right....

The part where Drew Barrymore gets sold to Pepe Le Pew was the weirdest padding I've ever seen in a two hour movie. Was it just so that they could have the big punishment scene happen where Drew Barrymore shows up behind them after thinking she's some guys slave?

Your commentary was EVERYTHING, and I'm so glad that someone FINALLY agrees about the part where she could've revealed that Rodmilla was her step-mom.

Omg this is my favorite adaption

It's Ever After and Ella Enchanted(the book). Best Cinderella adaptations💖

i love this movie so much

I would watch this movie over and over again when I was a little. It’s in my top ten favorite movies of all time.

I'm so freaking happy you reacted to this. It's my favourite movie and it never gets enough love. It's honestly couple goals.

YESYESYES favorite Cinderella story for sure, ahhhh I'm so happy you did this one 🥰

I owned this movie on VHS and grew up watching it weekly as a kid. Little did I know at the time that both of my parents would pass away while I was still young as well. It's cathartic to watch again now 🙂

The way that I just knew you would be doing this movie because you reviewed it on your Letterboxd and I was just patiently waiting ahhhh ❤

A few people in the past have actually treated their children like servants. They aren't real people but Dr Frankinstien's parents adopted 2 girls and 1 of them wasn't as pretty so they made her a servent.

If you ever get the chance, you should try and see the full rogers and Hammerstein Cinderella!! The Brandi version is wonderful, but it removes so much of the humor. Not sure if it was for time or bc disney didn't want to do a version that went into politics XD but the musical is SO GOOD and one of my favorites!!

You have no idea how happy it makes me t o see other people know of, love and even review this movie! :D

Yes!! So glad you love this one!! One of my favourites all growing up 💜💜

Yes, loved what you were saying about choosen family and people you grow with.❤ Another great reaction!

this is my FAVORITE Cinderella movie EVER! - Rizzo

2:00 HOLD ON IS THAT MORTICIA ??????

24:27 why is this like the best line in the whole movie? I love it so much 😂

This movie is truly phenomenal. It’s easily in my top 10 if not 5 movies of all time!!

Don't like the prince, BUT this one is in my top two Cinderella adaptation movies! Love the story and the costumes. And Angelica, I love youu!

Today is my bd you made my dayyy♥️♥️

I think his reaction to the lie is justified

This movie is my favorite Cinderella story, even after all these years (I watched it when it first came out)! It’s the best one of all! 🥰

I love Drew Barrymore 💕

"That you first make thieves and punish them". Bruh, Cindy for queen right away.

I love this movie so much! It's one of my favourites! Drew Barrymore was my first girl crush because of this movie and to this day I would love to recreate that dress with the wings if I ever get married in the future. Something about this movie always reminds me of my mum too (she died when I was 7), I think because she always had that sort of bravery and unwavering kindness, compassion and personal strength to voice her beliefs.

Ever After is my favourite film in the world! Hands Down! Nothing can top it.

I've never seen this one, Sophia, but I'm looking forward to it!💖💌💓💕

I loove this movie and I agree with you on that part and I love how DaVinci stood up for Dani.

I think on the subject of Danielle's status: no, she wasn't nobility. I believe her father didn't have a title himself, he was likely just a wealthy merchant. Her step mother married him because she was a widowed woman with two daughters so her remarrying prospects to another lord were practically nil (lords would prefer to marry virgins so as to ensure their offspring were the lord's). So she married a wealthy merchant so she could at least live comfortably. Regardless of Danielle's father marrying a baroness, his status was not elevated, and neither was Danielle's. And since the step mother married her father before he passed, the Baroness inherited all of the property and thus had carte blanche to do with Danielle however she pleased.

I know this comment is completely unrelated to the movie but I loooove your hair so much!

great reaction as usual! ive never heard of this movie but i'll peep because of you

The story took place in France, and her mother was a Countess (by marriage or descent). She would have just been untitled nobility. That means she *could have* actually cleared everything up at the ball by saying who her parents were and her relation to her stepmother, but drama I guess.

I really enjoy the more grounded interpretation of Cinderella here in Ever After, even if I do find Dougray Scott a bit bland as a lead. I much prefer him as a scenery chewing villain like in Mission Impossible 2.

this is the first time ive ever seen sophia's channel and let me tell you i had the BEST TIME watching her react to this movie. It felt like I was watching a movie with an absolute bestie, like i had so much fun

It really is that girl of a movie

A countess would wear that swimming at the time. Acceptable bathing garments for the public would have been her chemise and stays. Granted, she would not have been swimming like that… Also, while Drew's accent isn't always great in this movie, her performance is still amazing. In both this and Never Been Kissed, scenes where her characters are betrayed (the egg throwing scene in Never Been Kissed and the Ball in this one) are acted sooooo well. Also, the flying analogy is finalized when the Step Mother stops the whole event by literally ripping one of Danielle's "fairy godmother" (Da Vinci) wings off...thus still stopping her from being able to fly. I wish that there had been some sort of wings reference in her finale outfit, the portrait, or something, too... I also like how Danielle's flying outfit is largely reminiscent of an angel while Marguerite (who went as a peacock) is also an animal with wings indicating she was trying to fly, too. Peacocks, however, have a very different meaning to angels (superficiality, beauty, pride, etc.). Meanwhile Jacqueline is a horse...a noble, steadfast, loyal animal. Rodmilla's horns make what her costume is trying to show pretty obvious. The costuming in this movie is not only relatively accurate, but it is also very character driven. The only somewhat inaccurate element (as is typical) are the hair and makeup. Danielle and her stepsisters specifically are too old to have their hair down as much as they do in the movie (and it is cleaned waaaay too well and often comparing her servant to comtesse looks). For example, the scene where she runs home...her hair is miraculously washed and restyled in that time. Margeurite also wears her hair DOWN and exposed for an audience with the QUEEN?! NOPE...hair had a strong erotic connection at the time, so it was always covered by a cap/hood/cloth headress. Danielle and Jacqueline's various hairstyles also break this. This is a movie where the sude characters are REALLY accurately costumed though, so you can look around and see what they would actually be wearing.

I love a good Sophia roast, but swooning Sophia = best Sophia ❤️

I saw this in theatres when I was 12. And as an adult, this is my go to Cinderellla adaptation.

For the part when Danielle intimidated Le Pew into letting her go, I always got the impression that she was bluffing and successfully passed her speech check. Her father died when she was, like, 10, there's no way he could have taught her any swordplay.

Okay I started w/ the Swan Lake vid and now I'm here. Gurl you're so funny and your singing voice is lovely. Really been getting me through these past few days while I'm dying from fever lol. Your commentary is so insightful and witty I was dying from laughter at so many parts :D

Your taste in cinderella movies is impeccable

The perfect gift for this Galentine's Day!

I loooovveeeeee your Hair, it looks AMAZING

Omg...I've been waiting for someone to do commentary for this movie. This is without a doubt one of the best movie of all time..i watched ever after over hundreds of times and me and my family can quote every dialogue...haha we love it so much Thank you

If such a thing as "the one for you" exists, you *_will_* meet them and enter into a lifelong relationship; the idea breaks down otherwise. So stop worrying about whether or not the person in front of you is them, and instead focus on whether you're good for each other.

THE BARDCORE RENDITION OF "HIPS DON'T LIE" AT 24:52 TOOK ME OUTTTTTTT. i love this commentary soo much

Thank u for sharing this gem.