Starring
Hilary Duff
Jennifer
Coolidge
Chad Michael
Murray
Regina King
Directed by Mark
Rosman
Since this movie
was released, I’ve watched it more than twenty times—and the only person who
knows that is my sister. I’ve always had a soft spot for this film, ever since
its release. I enjoy how the plot plays out like a modern-day Cinderella story,
minus the magic.
I have to be
honest: this was a movie I loved but never admitted to my friends back in
university. I knew they wouldn’t like it. The movie is predictable, with no
unexpected twists, and some of the acting (especially from Sam’s stepmother and
stepsisters) is so over-the-top it’s hard to take seriously.
Still, there’s
something about how Sam (Hilary Duff) and Austin’s (Chad Michael Murray)
relationship blossoms that keeps me coming back. Maybe it’s just that I’m a
helpless romantic, but I find this movie easy to watch—and I’ll probably watch
it again in the future.
The movie begins
with eight-year-old Sam living with her widowed father, who owns a popular
sports-themed diner. Her father marries Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge), a vain and
selfish woman with two daughters from a previous marriage. Fiona hides her true
nature from Sam and her father, but during an earthquake, Sam’s father
tragically dies while trying to save Fiona and her daughters. With no will left
behind (supposedly), Fiona takes over the diner and rebrands it in her creepy,
over-the-top style.
Now grown, Sam
works at the diner as a janitor, saving money for her dream college, while
enduring daily torment from her stepfamily.
Sam has an
online pen pal she calls "Nomad," who attends the same high school as
her. The two confide in each other and share the dream of going to the same
college. Sam’s best friend, Carter (Dan Byrd), is an outcast, while Rhonda
(Regina King), the diner manager, serves as a mother figure to Sam.
Nomad proposes
they meet in person at the school’s Halloween dance. Reluctant at first, Sam is
persuaded by Carter to go.
This decision
sparks the Cinderella transformation—and the modern Cinderella story begins.
If you take the
time to analyze the plot, you’ll find plenty to criticize. The silliness of the
characters, the way the plot unnecessarily complicates something as simple as a
will, and the fact that Sam and Austin couldn’t recognize each other despite their
masks are all points that make this movie so bad it’s good.
Over the years,
the movie has developed a cult following. It was a box-office success but not a
critical one. Critics panned it for being plain and generic, and none of the
actors were praised as exceptional.
For me, it’s the
simple, straightforward love story that keeps me coming back. I always enjoy
watching Sam’s journey, knowing that everything turns out well for her in the
end.
Interestingly,
the movie spawned four direct-to-DVD sequels, each starring a new lead with her
own Cinderella story. I haven’t seen any of them and probably never will
because, for me, this is the only one that matters.
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