Cinderella has always been my favorite Disney princess. Case in point, BBDBOBD is my license plate. Get it? Bibbity Bobbity! Suffice it to say, it’s been a long while since I’ve been this excited for a movie.
Premiere day came and I dressed my daughter in her Cinderella shirt, clipped in her Cinderella barrette, and loaded us into our “coach”…err, minivan.
Cinderella did not disappoint. I could speak to its wonderful director, Kenneth Branagh. I could tell you how visually stunning the cinematography was…truly! But instead, I thought I’d write about the most memorable moments I noticed while watching the film.
Have Courage and Be Kind
First spoken to Ella by her dying mother, this theme is reiterated throughout the movie.
I don’t know that I’ve ever associated these two characteristics. When I think of courage I envision warriors charging to battle…an action that is intense and probably uncomfortable. And yet, having compassion can also require a great deal of strength. Take the story of the Good Samaritan:
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Luke 10:30-35
The Samaritan had the courage to act on the compassion he felt for another…having courage and being kind!
Train Up a Child
Of course the wicked stepmother and her two ridiculous daughters are a large part of the film, but what struck me were the close, loving, and respectful relationships between Ella and her parents, and the prince and his father, the king.
Both Ella and the prince continually display respect when it comes to their parents, giving honor where honor is due. Without saying too much, there is a particularly moving scene during the final interaction between the prince and king that I applaud the filmmakers for including.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Enjoy the Moment
Right before walking into the ball, Cinderella confides that she’s scared, she’s not a princess and she’s scared.
I love the answer she’s given by the lizard-turned-footman. He says, “And I’m a lizard, not a footman. Just enjoy the moment.”
Great advice!
Too often we focus on what we’re not, instead of paying attention to what we’ve got.
Be Yourself
In one of the final scenes of the movie, the narrator says that sometimes the most courageous thing we can do is to be who we are, whether or not people will accept us that way.
How many times do we fall into the trap of being who others expect us to be?
Without excuses, without stories or fabrications, without illusions, God knows who we are. Being true to His desires for each of our lives is the most courageous and best that we can be.
The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one’s inmost being. Proverbs 20:27
In my opinion there were only a couple of things I wish they’d included from the animated version…
How about a few subtle chords of ‘So This is Love’ during the dance at the Royal Ball?
And Bruno, you were missed!
In the end, Cinderella was overflowing with the best and worst of humanity, all wrapped in a family-friendly package. I’m sure many of you have enjoyed this movie with your own families, and I’d love to hear your thoughts!