Madness # 10
Finding a
modern day fairy tale to review took a while. Having raised only sons and grandsons, the DVD
library of fairy tales equals zero. Now
if a sports movie is needed, the library is jammed full. Finally, after days (late nights) Princess; A Modern Fairy Tale was
selected as the one to be reviewed.
Doubt Abounds Around A Modern Fairy Tale
Princess: A Modern Fairytale, a
made-for-TV-ABC movie aired on April 20, 2008, with a DVD release date on February
3, 2009, can be considered as a modern fairy tale romance as a castle exists
along with a princess, prince, mythical creatures, and even a monster to
provide a setting ready for the imaginations of young and old alike. This fairy tale includes a romance between
William, who is lost in life, and a beautiful princess, Ithaca who is clearly
looking for “someone.” Although a chance meeting at the castle of the princess
starts the two of them on a journey of intrigue and romance, when their much
different worlds collide, they vow to help each other find their true calling. The tale includes a princess who must find a
successor with power to take care of all the creatures in need, complete with a
knight in shining armor to ready to assist.
A major complaint of the movie arises quickly with what
appears to be inappropriate comments directly regarding sexual
orientation. Some violence occurs with
certain individuals being chased by monsters and even with women being knocked
unconscious. Further objections to this
fairy tale include friends drinking beer and champagne, a bit of lying, and
even a naked baby pixie, which may explain why many reviewers have been
reluctant to rate or recommend its viewing, especially for children (Ramblings).
Although the genre may be considered as an adventure, this
tale clearly fits the mold of a modern fairy tale. The video version by Cinedigm Company is
written by Heidi Ferrer directed by Mark Roseman, and produced by Craig
Berenson and John Calvert, all considered effective in their respective
fields. The eighty-eight minute video
stars Nora Zehetner and Kip Pardue.
Parents should be alerted that this live action movie
contains numerous dark, scary sequences that could be upsetting or unsettling
to the very young or to children who may have difficulty distinguishing between
fantasy and reality. With monsters and
serpents throughout, along with even ghoulish humans, the suspenseful outcomes
in the movie can be quite confusing, even to some older viewers.
The film not only involves a character who uses insults,
such as, “How gay is that?”, but also contains lesbian delusions that lurk in
the background creating an immediate dislike of the movie for some and
certainly a misunderstanding by many young viewers (Review). Fortunately, a “sweet” romance develops with
a royal princess who does possess many of the typical princess characteristics,
as she is kind, smart, beautiful, and brave.
The movie from start to finish is full of myths, danger, and
adult versions of sexual insults.
Difficulty exists throughout to determine the true meaning of this tale
as the fairy tale romance does shine through for young girls to see, and the
“dragon killer” mystery lurks for young fans of adventure and action. This combination does not exactly work, as
none of the specific story elements is well executed. Fairy tales, like other genres, still need a
well-defined plot and must adhere to logic that can be followed. Perhaps, the worst feature of this tale is
that the hero never gets to demonstrate his “heroic” characteristics. To add further to the problem, the beautiful
princess is “ideal” in the beginning and is never allowed the opportunity to
grow as viewers have come to appreciate in other fairy tales. No point is ever really made with the
mythical creatures, except for maybe some comic relief.
In the beginning, nothing actually prepares William for the
sudden meeting of Ithaca, the beautiful princess, but he uses what is deemed as
a cheesy pick up line, somehow convincing the Princess that he is someone she
has desperately been seeking, “The Searcher,” leaving him unable to tell her later
that he is not the one for whom she has been searching.
As William continues to hide the truth, he romantically pursues
the princess and finds that she is indeed a real life magical princess,
complete with exquisite gowns and bluebirds perched on her delicate
shoulder. In the end William discovers
Ithaca is the “healer” of all of the ill and frightened mythical creatures of the
world, including unicorns and mermaids, leaving viewers to wonder if the next
generation’s “Healer” can be found in time and if the princess can find her
true love.
This made for television movie will never replace Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood, but for a onetime viewing, Princess might be tolerable for some
children and a female adult looking to fill a dull night. Most viewers will expect more from a modern
day fairy tale, and clearly they may not keep this DVD in their forever
library. Even though children may be confused from time to time in the movie,
for a young girl especially, the movie revives the possibility of being a
princess, and does have the storybook ending. Even the actress, Nora Zehetner who played the
role of the princess admitted that she had no idea how far to carry the role of
a modern day princess (Ramblings). A
vague resemblance to Enchanted might
be noted as Princess, too, is a love
story between a mysterious princess and a common man and does mix the characters
with a little mythology. However, if a
viewer is not interested in a second rate Enchanted,
the remote should remain nearby.
Works
Cited
Princess: ABC Family’s Modern Fairy
Tale. ABC Family. 20 April 2008.
Ramblings of a TV Archives, Behind
the Scenes, Commentary & Reviews 2003-2011. 1 May 20
2017.
Review of a Modern Fairy Tale. Princess. 1 May 2017.
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