The Princess Diaries (2001)

The Princess Diaries (2001)

7/10

Starring

Anne Hathaway

Julie Andrews

Héctor Elizondo

Heather Matarazzo

Mandy Moore

Directed by Garry Marshall

Here was the film that made a splash when people did not expect it to. Even I when I saw it back then, was not easily drawn to see it and put it off for some years until I was forced to watch it by my sister. I was so impressed by the comedy, the acting and the writing. Since then the movie has become one of my all-time guilty pleasures, a movie I can watch anytime.

This was the movie that introduced me to Anne Hathaway as a bankable character to watch and expect nothing less than a fantastic performance. It also brought back to the lime light Julie Andrew [which was her return to acting for Disney since Mary Poppins (1964)]. Also, in the cast is the beautiful Mandy Moore who plays Mia’s rival, and the now popular Sandra Oh (from the hit show Killing Eve) played the vice-principal in Mia’s school.

The movie is based on a 2000 novel of the same name by Meg Cabot. The film follows Mia Thermopolis (Hathaway), a shy teenager who lives with her single mother, Helen. Mia's only friend is the social outcast Lilly and her brother Michael. Mia learns she is heir to the throne of a European kingdom, an information coming to her because her father whom she has not met passed away.

Mia's grandmother (Andrews) and current leader of the throne has come to Mia in America, to groom and train her to be a queen.

After some stunts Mia's place as to be queen is made public and this has further made it hard for her as she rather just remain hidden from the world. Now she must decide whether to claim the throne she has inherited or renounce her title permanently.

The movie has beautiful set designs, costumes and soundtrack. This movie had one of the most successful G-rated film opening at the box office, even though it had mixed critical reviews. The $26 million budget brought back for Disney over $165 million in the box office which led to a sequel The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement three years after, which was also a box office success. There have been talks of a third movie for years, but who knows.

I did not fancy the sequel and for that reason this has always been the one for me. The movie is exciting, fun to see at any time and for you and the family.