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Ever After

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This article is about the 1998 film. For other uses, see Ever After (disambiguation).

Ever After
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAndy Tennant
Screenplay by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAndrew Dunn
Edited byRoger Bondelli
Music byGeorge Fenton
Production
companies
Fox Family Films (uncredited)[1]
Mireille Soria Production
Release date
  • July 31, 1998 (1998-07-31)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$25–26 million[2][3]
Box office$98 million[3]

Ever After (known in promotional material as Ever After: A Cinderella Story) is a 1998 American romantic period drama film directed by Andy Tennant from his own screenplay, co-written by Susannah Grant and Rick Parks. Co-produced by Fox Family Films and Mireille Soria Production, the film is inspired by Charles Perrault's 1697 fairy tale "Cinderella" and stars Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Huston, with Dougray Scott, Patrick Godfrey, Timothy West, Judy Parfitt, Jeroen Krabbé, Melanie Lynskey, Megan Dodds, Richard O'Brien, and Jeanne Moreau in supporting roles.

The film removes the pantomime and supernatural elements commonly found in retellings of the Cinderella tale and instead treats the story as historical fiction, setting it in Renaissance-era France. It is considered to be a modern, post-feminist interpretation of the fairy tale.[4]

Ever After released in theaters on July 31, 1998, to positive reviews from critics. It was a box-office success, grossing $98 million.

Plot

[edit]

The Brothers Grimm are invited to meet with the Grande Dame, who expresses her disappointment in their version of Cinderella. She produces a portrait and glass slipper, and recounts the partial true story that inspired the tale.

During the French Renaissance, ten years after Auguste de Barbarac dies, his daughter, Danielle, has been forced to become a servant to her stepmother, the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, and stepsisters, Marguerite and Jacqueline. One morning, Danielle has an unexpected confrontation with Prince Henry as he is attempting to flee in order to avoid an arranged marriage to Princess Gabriella of Spain, at first mistaking him for a thief. Henry gives Danielle 20 francs to keep their interlude secret. He is eventually caught by the Royal Guard after stopping bandits from robbing Leonardo da Vinci, whom King Francis has invited to the Royal court.

Danielle disguises as a noblewoman by going to the palace to buy back Maurice, who was sold by Rodmilla. Henry witnesses her arguing with the jailer and impressed by Danielle's passion and intelligence, orders the jailer to release Maurice. When he asks for her name, Danielle gives her late mother's name, Countess Nicole de Lancret. King Francis agrees hold a masquerade ball at which Henry will announce his engagement to the woman of his choosing at midnight, or else King Francis will announce his marriage to Gabriella. Rodmilla accelerates her efforts at getting Henry to notice Marguerite, while being neglectful to Jacqueline. Meanwhile, Danielle begins secretly spending time with Henry. After an outing at the library of the Franciscan monks, a gang of gypsies ambushes them, but they offer to help them when Danielle bids the leader and attempts to carry Henry away. At the gypsy camp, they share their first kiss.

Rodmilla and Marguerite plan to steal Nicole's wedding gown and glass slippers for Marguerite to wear at the ball. When Marguerite insults Nicole, Danielle attacks and chases her. Marguerite retaliates by burning the copy of Utopia that Auguste had given to Danielle. Jacqueline shows sympathy towards Danielle and criticizes Marguerite for her cruelty.

Queen Marie holds a luncheon with Marguerite and Rodmilla, during which the two deduce that Danielle is Countess de Lancret. Danielle meets Henry, who reveals that she has inspired him to build a university. Unable to reveal the truth about her identity, she flees. Rodmilla confronts Danielle about her deception and locks her in the pantry when she does not reveal the whereabouts of the slippers and dress. Gustave does Maurice a favor by going to the ball to recruit Leonardo to help Danielle escape. Leonardo, Gustave, Paulette and Louise prepare Danielle in Nicole's attire which they kept hidden prior. Danielle arrives determined to tell Henry the truth, but Rodmilla exposes her. Furious, Henry rejects Danielle, causing her to tearfully flee while Leonardo witnesses her lose a slipper. Leonardo reproaches Henry for his callousness and leaves him the slipper.

Henry agrees to marry Gabriella. During the ceremony, however, realizing that she also loves someone else who's in attendance, he calls off the wedding and seeks out Danielle until Maurice and Jacqueline inform him that Rodmilla sold her to Pierre Le Pieu following the ball. Henry and Laurent set off to rescue Danielle, only to find that she has freed herself. Henry professes his love for her, and proposes marriage by fitting the slipper onto her foot. Danielle happily accepts.

The Royal court summons Rodmilla, Marguerite and Jacqueline. As punishment for lying to Marie about Danielle, Rodmilla is stripped of her title and threatened with exile alongside Marguerite unless someone speaks for her. Danielle appears and instead asks that Rodmilla be shown the same "courtesy" she had shown her. Rodmilla and Marguerite are reduced to servants in the palace laundry. Danielle and Henry built a university until it was presumably destroyed during the French Revolution centuries later except for Leonardo's portrait of Danielle he gifted them that was later inherited by the Grande Dame who emphasizes that while her great-great grandparents did live happily ever after, the point is that they lived.

Cast

[edit]
Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, and Dougray Scott portrayed the lead roles in the film.
  • Drew Barrymore as Danielle de Barbarac, the only child of Auguste de Barbarac and Nicole de Lancret.[5] Barrymore described her character as a "tough Cinderella. She dives into bees' hives for the wax, takes pigs out truffle-hunting, swims in the river, quotes Sir Thomas More's Utopia. She even nails the prince with an apple for stealing her horse. She does many things a man does, whether it involves physical strength or reading. She's ahead of her time in breaking down the barriers between a woman's place in society and a man's place."[2]
    • Anna Maguire as 8-year-old Danielle
  • Anjelica Huston as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, Danielle's cruel stepmother.[6]
  • Dougray Scott as Henry, Prince of France, Danielle's love interest and son of Francis and Marie
  • Patrick Godfrey as Leonardo da Vinci, an artist, inventor and a member of the royal court
  • Megan Dodds as Marguerite de Ghent, Danielle's "evil" stepsister
    • Elizabeth Earl as Young Marguerite
  • Melanie Lynskey as Jacqueline de Ghent, Danielle's "nice" stepsister
    • Alex Pooley as Young Jacqueline
  • Timothy West as Francis, King of France and Henry's father
  • Judy Parfitt as Marie, Queen of France and Henry's mother
  • Jeroen Krabbé as Auguste de Barbarac, Danielle's father
  • Lee Ingleby as Gustave, Danielle's best friend and an apprentice painter
    • Ricki Cuttell as Young Gustave
  • Kate Lansbury as Paulette, a servant to the de Barbaracs
  • Matyelok Gibbs as Louise, Maurice's wife and a servant to the de Barbaracs
  • Walter Sparrow as Maurice, Louise's husband and a servant to the de Barbaracs
  • Jeanne Moreau as Grande Dame, Danielle and Henry's great-great granddaughter
  • Richard O'Brien as Monsieur Pierre Le Pieu, a lecherous merchant
  • Peter Gunn as Laurent, Royal Guard captain
  • Joerg Stadler as Wilhelm Grimm, author and Jacob's brother
  • Andrew Henderson as Jacob Grimm, author and Wilhem's brother
  • Toby Jones as a Royal Page

Patrick Godfrey's wife Amanda Walker appears an old noblewoman.

Production

[edit]

Ever After was filmed in Super 35.[7]

Historical context

[edit]
Leonardo da Vinci's painting La Scapigliata is depicted in the film as a portrait of Danielle.

While the story is fictional, it involves several historical figures, places and events. The film is set in the 16th and 19th centuries and features Francis I, Prince Henry (later Henry II of France), Leonardo da Vinci, The Brothers Grimm, as well as allusions to the explorer Jacques Cartier, the fairy tale collector Charles Perrault, the French colonies in the New World, and the French Revolution.[8]

Though the main portion of the film takes place in early 1500s France,[9] the royals shown are most likely not meant to be the historical figures for which they are named. King Francis I summoned Leonardo da Vinci to his court around 1516, three years before King Henry II was born; neither of King Francis I's wives was named Marie (the first was named Claude and the second Eleanor). King Henry II was married to Catherine de' Medici at the age of 14.

Locations and sets

[edit]

The castle shown in the film is the Château de Hautefort in the Dordogne region of France.[10] Other featured châteaux are de Fénelon, de Losse, de Lanquais, de Beynac and the Château de la Roussie, that served as the house of the de Barbaracs, as well as the city of Sarlat-la-Canéda.[11] The painting of Danielle is based on Leonardo da Vinci's Head of a Woman (La Scapigliata).[12]

Release

[edit]

Home media

[edit]

On March 2, 1999, the film was released on VHS & DVD.

On April 11, 2003, the film was released on DVD with the movie Never Been Kissed—another film starring Drew Barrymore—in a combo pack. On May 26, 2006, the film was released in The Drew Barrymore Collection Celebrity Pack, which also contained DVDs of Never Been Kissed and Fever Pitch. On March 2, 2010, the film was released in a DVD combo pack with the movie An Affair to Remember—a double feature celebrating 20th Century Fox's 75th anniversary; two months later, the film was then released in a DVD combo pack on May 4, 2010 with the movies Anna and the King and Australia—a triple feature celebrating the same thing.

On January 4, 2011, the film was released on Blu-ray.[13] On September 4, 2012, it was released with the movie Never Been Kissed in a combo pack on Blu-ray. On October 7, 2014, the film was released in a 4 Drew Barrymore Favorites DVD set with Never Been Kissed, Fever Pitch, and Whip It.

On January 6, 2015, the film was released in a Blu-ray / Digital HD combo pack, region-free. The film was also released on Blu-ray in the UK on August 6, 2018. Then, on January 1, 2019, the film was again released in a Blu-ray / Digital HD combo pack but for Region A.

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]
Drew Barrymore was repeatedly acclaimed by critics for her performance.

Ever After received positive reviews from critics. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported that the film had a 91% approval rating based on 65 reviews, with an average rating of 7.6/10. According to its consensus, "Ever After is a sweet, frothy twist on the ancient fable, led by a solid turn from star Barrymore."[14] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[15] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an "A" grade on a scale of A+ to F.[16]

Roger Ebert from Chicago Sun-Times awarded the film three out of four stars and wrote: "I went to the screening expecting some sort of soppy children's picture and found myself in a costume romance with some of the same energy and zest as The Mask of Zorro." He particularly praised the cinematography, costume design, and Drew Barrymore's acting.[17] In his review for San Francisco Chronicle, Mick LaSalle called Ever After "the best Cinderella movie ever," complimenting both the character writing and the performances of Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, and Dougray Scott.[18] Leonard Klady of Variety gave a positive review, stating that the film "successfully maintains the story's period trappings while introducing a heroine with modern resonance… One can quibble only about a languorous style and a tendency to overplay the villainy of the stepmother and her eldest daughter. But these are small glitches in an otherwise first-rate effort."[19] Robin Grant wrote for The Lantern that although Ever After "is worth seeing just for the scenery, the updated storyline and good acting make it an excellent movie for young and old alike."[20]

In her review for The Austin Chronicle, Marjorie Baumgarten gave the film three out of five stars, stating that Ever After "turns out to be a potent and imaginative retelling that proves Cinderella's timelessness defies carbon-dating."[21] Lisa Schwarzbaum from Entertainment Weekly awarded the film a "B−" and described it as "unwieldy, uneven, but nevertheless unexpectedly witty, girl-positive production," while praising the character writing, costume design, and performances by Barrymore, Huston, and Judy Parfitt.[22] Ian Nathan of Empire gave the film three out of five stars, complimenting the cinematography and acting of Huston and Scott, but criticizing the script and Barrymore's performance, which he found unconvincing and "far from her best."[23]

A Time Out reviewer wrote that Barrymore "manages just fine in carrying this Cinderella update… Given that this is adolescent romance, never straying far from traditional stereotypes, its 'progressive' feel-good aura is mainly down to Barrymore, whose limitations are only exposed in big love scenes."[24] Kenneth Turan of Los Angeles Times highlighted Barrymore and Huston's performances, but was displeased with the script and the "inconsistent" tone of the film, concluding that "though it has its moments, Ever After never completely finds its footing, either in its century or our own."[25] In his review for The New York Times, Stephen Holden called the film a "bland, sappy costume comedy," criticizing its script and George Fenton's musical score; however, he praised Barrymore's "buoyant, unaffected" acting, which he considered the best thing about the film.[26]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Category Recipient(s) Result
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Actress – Drama/Romance Drew Barrymore Won
Favorite Actor – Newcomer Dougray Scott Nominated
Favorite Supporting Actress – Drama/Romance Anjelica Huston Won
Chlotrudis Awards[27] Best Actress Drew Barrymore Nominated
Golden Trailer Awards Best Romance Trailer Ever After Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Awards Film Composer of the Year George Fenton Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actress Drew Barrymore Won
Online Film & Television Association Awards[28] Best Breakthrough Performance: Female Megan Dodds Nominated
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Picture Mireille Soria, Tracey Trench Nominated
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Actress Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston Nominated
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Ensemble Ever After Nominated
Best Music, Original Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Score George Fenton Won
Satellite Awards[29] Best Costume Design Jenny Beavan Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Actress Drew Barrymore Won
Best Supporting Actress Anjelica Huston Nominated
Best Costumes Jenny Beavan Won
Best Music George Fenton Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Drama Movie Ever After Nominated
Choice Movie Sleazebag Anjelica Huston Nominated
Choice Movie Breakout Dougray Scott Nominated

Musical adaptation

[edit]
Main article: Ever After The Musical

A report in 2012 indicated that a musical theatre production was in the works, with the book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich.[30] The musical was originally scheduled for its world premiere in April 2009 at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, but the pre-Broadway run was postponed.[31] In May 2012, the project was back on track with Kathleen Marshall signing on to direct a Broadway run.[32][33]

A workshop of the musical was held from April 25, 2013 – May 15, 2013 with Sierra Boggess as Danielle, Jeremy Jordan as Prince Henry, and Ashley Spencer as Marguerite.[34] The musical made its world premiere at the Paper Mill Playhouse from May 21, 2015 – June 21, 2015.[35] Christine Ebersole played the role of Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent.[36] Alongside Ebersole, Margo Seibert starred as Danielle, James Snyder as Henry, Charles Shaughnessy as King Francis, and Tony Sheldon as Leonardo da Vinci.[37] Another production of the musical played at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre from January 15, 2019 to February 19.[38] The production was directed by Susan V. Booth and starred Sierra Boggess as Danielle de Barbarac, Terry Burrell as Queen Marie, Todd Buonopane as Captain Laurent, David Garrison as Leonardo da Vinci, Chris Kayser as King Francis, Jeff McCarthy as Pierre Malette, Tim Rogan as Prince Henry and Rachel York as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent.[39][40][41]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Petrikin, Chris (February 18, 1998). "Fox renamed that toon". Variety. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Covington, Richard (December 5, 1997). "Airy Fairy Tale". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Ever After: A Cinderella Story". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on January 15, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  4. ^ Haase, Donald, ed. (2004). Fairy Tales and Feminism: New Approaches. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-3030-4.
  5. ^ Brisco, Elise (March 28, 2023). "Drew Barrymore reunites with 'Ever After' co-stars Melanie Lynskey, Megan Dodds". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  6. ^ Busis, Hillary (March 30, 2012). "'Mirror Mirror's Julia Roberts vs. Susan Sarandon, Anjelica Huston & others". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  7. ^ Clark, Jason. "Ever After - Review". AllMovie. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  8. ^ Ever After (1998) the movie
  9. ^ Loggia, Wendy (1998). Ever After: A Cinderella Story. Dell. p. 18. ISBN 0440228158. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  10. ^ Hodges, Christopher (August 31, 2018). "20 Crazy Details Behind The Making Of Ever After". Screen Rant. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  11. ^ "Ever After: A Cinderella Story tour | Decouvertes". decouvertes.fr. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  12. ^ Kwan, Jamie (February 10, 2021). "What do Leonardo da Vinci and Drew Barrymore have in common? Ever After". ars longa. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  13. ^ "Ever After: A Cinderella Story Blu-ray".
  14. ^ "Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on July 2, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2021. Edit this at Wikidata
  15. ^ "Ever After". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 22, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  16. ^ "Ever After (1998)". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018.
  17. ^ Ebert, Roger (July 31, 1998). "Ever After". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times Media Group. Archived from the original on March 28, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  18. ^ LaSalle, Mick. "Romance Thrives In 'Ever After' / Barrymore slips nicely into Cinderella role". San Francisco Chronicle. SFGate. Archived from the original on December 20, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  19. ^ Klady, Leonard (July 27, 1998). "Ever After". Variety. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  20. ^ Grant, Robin (October 3, 1998). ""Ever After" infuses Cinderella story with '90s attitude, medieval charm". The Lantern. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  21. ^ Baumgarten, Marjorie (July 31, 1998). "Ever After". The Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  22. ^ Schwarzbaum, Lisa (August 10, 1998). "Ever After (1998)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
  23. ^ Nathan, Ian (January 1, 2000). "Ever After Review". Empire. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  24. ^ "Ever After". Time Out. September 11, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  25. ^ Turan, Kenneth (July 31, 1998). "Cinderella as the Original Spice Girl". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  26. ^ Holden, Stephen (July 31, 1998). "No Helpless, Wimpy Waif Filling This Glass Slipper". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  27. ^ "1999, 5th Annual Awards". Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films. Archived from the original on May 26, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  28. ^ "1998: THE YEAR OF Private Ryan". Online Film & Television Association Awards. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  29. ^ "1999 3rd Annual SATELLITE™ Awards". International Press Academy. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  30. ^ Barrett, Annie (May 15, 2012). "'Ever After' to hit Broadway in 2013". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  31. ^ Hetrick, Adam (January 28, 2009). "South Pacific Revival to Play San Francisco; Pre-Broadway Ever After Run Postponed". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  32. ^ "Kathleen Marshall to Helm Broadway-Bound EVER AFTER Musical; Music by Heisler/Goldrich". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  33. ^ Hetrick, Adam (May 15, 2012). "Kathleen Marshall Will Direct Broadway Debut of Ever After, Based On 1998 Cinderella Film". Playbill. Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  34. ^ "Exclusive: Jeremy Jordan, Sierra Boggess, Jan Maxwell and Ashley Spencer Star in Developmental Lab of EVER AFTER". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  35. ^ "Paper Mill Season Will Feature Can-Can, Hunchback, Ever After, Vanya and Sonia and More". playbill.com. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  36. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Tony Winner Christine Ebersole Will Star in New Musical Ever After". theatermania.com. February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  37. ^ "Full Casting Announced for Paper Mill Playhouse's Ever After". TheaterMania. March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  38. ^ "EVER AFTER, RIDE THE CYCLONE & More Will Appear in Atlanta's Alliance Theatre's 50th Anniversary Season". Broadway World. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  39. ^ "Sierra Boggess, Rachel York, Among Stars of EVER AFTER in Atlanta". Broadway World. December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  40. ^ "Photo Flash: Sierra Boggess, Rachel York, And More In Rehearsal For EVER AFTER At Alliance Stage". Broadway World. December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  41. ^ Franklin, Marc J (January 25, 2019). "A First Look at Ever After at the Alliance Theatre". Playbill.
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