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Movie review: “Enchanted”
BY MAGGIE SCOTT
Nobody does princess like Disney. While the media and commercial giant owes a major debt of gratitude to the Brothers Grimm, most of their Magic Kingdom’s mega clout is built on the appeal of the princess in all the studio’s myriad incarnations.
Their latest lady with the chipper attitude and cheery voice is Giselle (Amy Adams), a carriage ride away from becoming a princess, when her future mother-in-law, Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon), decides to throw her down an enchanted well.
This happens in the adorable romantic comedy, “Enchanted,” in the animated kingdom of Andalasia; which resounds to the happy caterwauling of Prince Edward (James Marsdon) after he rescues Giselle from a troll. Because he’s never seen a pretty girl before, and she’s been looking for a pair of “perfect lips,” they decide to get married.
But, Giselle’s fall from favor takes her from a land of happily-ever-afters and lands her in a place the queen claims is lacking in same—New York City. From cartoon cutie, Giselle is transformed into flesh and blood babe, who is certain Ed will locate her in a city with millions of people. Giselle’s journey to finding “true love’s kiss” will be an affectionate and witty take off on many of Disney’s most beloved fairy tales.
Since the Big Apple is probably one of the most magical cities in the world, screenwriter Bill Kelly offers Robert (Patrick Dempsey), a sour puss New Yorker, whose experience as a divorce lawyer and as a deserted husband and single father to six-year-old Morgan (Rachel Covey), has poisoned his attitude toward love.
Morgan believes in Giselle. Dad believes Giselle is “seriously confused.” But, he provides shelter for the lost and lovelorn girl; and, in the process, begins to reconnect with his inner prince.
Meanwhile, Narissa is not happy that Edward is also wandering the streets of Manhattan, trying to free “peasants” from their “yellow beast” buses. She dispatches Nathaniel (Timothy Spall), Edward’s squire and her lackey, to see that Giselle takes a bite out of a lethal apple. Thanks to an intrepid chipmunk named Pip, that fatal encounter is delayed until the night of a grand costume ball, where a spell of love is cast for Robert and Giselle and where Narissa turns into the ultimate party crasher.
Except for the rather stodgy Mr. Dempsey, who brings little of his “McDreamy” charisma from TV’s “Gray’s Anatomy” to the part of Robert, the movie has a dream cast having a ball with their storybook characters. Rated PG for scary images and mild innuendo.
