Cinderella Teaches Us to Have Courage and Be Kind…Enough Said
The timeless tale of Cinderella has come to life in the live action re-telling of the classic story of a princess and her prince. The storyline remains true to the animated original. So, there are certainly no surprise endings. And yet, the stellar cast, headlined by the wonderful Lily James, best known for her role as Lady Rose on Downtown Abbey, as well as the wonderfully wicked Stepmother, played by the beautiful Cate Blanchett, seems to breathe new life into the much-read fairy tale. Another standout is Richard Madden, best known for his role in Game of Thrones, as the dashing and handsome Prince Kit. The film was directed by Kenneth Branagh and he manages to capture the intensity of Cinderella’s dire circumstances, all the while showcasing Cinderella’s kind and forgiving heart. The scenery and backdrop made for a perfect canvas for the telling of this timeless tale.
I was lucky enough to be invited to an early preview of the film and turned the invitation into a date with my daughter. My 4 year old was thrilled that she was able to wear her Cinderella ballet costume to the theatre and couldn’t believe she was able to meet so many other little girls dressed up in their favorite costumes as well. Sharing the movie experience with her, and watching her excitement as the movie was screened was memorable.
I must admit that I didn’t know if my daughter would understand some of the themes of the movie. I was worried it would be too grown up and not true to the original fairy tale. I was able to utilize the Fandango Family Room for a synopsis of the film, which was a big help. But, all of the kids in the theatre seemed to be enraptured with the film. Both my daughter and I noticed the advice given to Cinderella by her mother, on her deathbed. She advises her to “have courage and be kind”. These simple words have really made an impact on her and myself. And, it has struck a chord in the social media world as well, since it has been trending since the debut of the movie. I hear myself reminding my daughter as well as repeating these words to my 6 year old son. This theme is woven throughout the movie and it really was a sweet sentiment that holds true for all ages. She continues to talk about being kind and the importance of saying sorry and treating people fairly. She has also taken it upon herself to spread the message of courage and kindness to anyone that will listen.
I love the fact that my daughter and I were simply going to a movie and walked out with an opportunity to talk about important topics like courage and kindness. The movie was sophisticated enough to attract an audience of grownups, but tame enough to hold the attention of an audience that included children.
With my little kids turning into big kids, I cherish these opportunities to spend time with my kids, enjoying a movie and having a chance to talk about themes that are important for the little kids as well as the big kids! Share your photos with us. We loved Cinderella and its message to have courage and be kind…enough said!
Disclosure: In accordance with the FTC Guidelines, I am disclosing that I received compensation from Fandango for my time and participation in the Fandango Family Digital Network. Although we have material connection to Fandango any publicly stated opinions of Fandango and their brands remain my own.
