Finally! Another Family Movie to Recommend! :-)

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It seems so rare nowadays to find a good family movie to recommend that I am thrilled when I do! My movie-starved husband (we have small children and are rarely able to watch movies together) can often be found entreating me to please watch a movie with him after the kids are asleep and alas, at times I succumb. ;-) I knew that he was getting extremely desperate when he recommended Cinderella to me--desperate situations call for desperate measures. :-). 

All jesting aside, I enjoyed Cinderella so very much--much more than I thought that I would enjoy it, to be honest. I was bracing myself for a sappy, happy-ending "chick flick," but this film far exceeded my expectations in terms of depth and substance. 

Cinderella is a wonderful family movie, especially for families with older children (I personally wouldn't allow younger children to view it because of the romantic elements and some adult themes). The film as a whole was solid, basically true to the original version of Cinderella, and extremely engaging. The following are reasons that I really enjoyed the film and would recommend it:

• The main character is feminine, sweet, and courageous. I loved the depiction of Cinderella in this film (one of the main reasons that I liked the film so much!) She is not a "covert" or overt feminist as is unfortunately true of the female characters in so many modern films. She carries herself in a very feminine way without being silly or flighty. She also serves, forgives, speaks the truth, endures suffering graciously, and refuses to be embittered by her circumstances. The depiction of Cinderella in this movie is a truly excellent example to young Christian girls of what teenage girlhood could/should look like. As someone who was dismayed (to put it mildly ;-)) by the depiction of the female characters in the movie Frozen, Cinderella is a breath of fresh air. 

• The theme of forgiveness and long-suffering that are developed throughout the film. Cinderella is an excellent example for girls of both, themes that are unusual to see in the films of today.

• The Prince is a good example of masculinity. He carries himself with dignity, honor, and chivalry, important qualities for young men to pick up on and emulate. 

• The language/thematic elements were very clean, with a few minor exceptions, discussed below. There was also no use of the Lord's Name taken in vain, even when there was an opportunity to do so. 

• I loved the deep kindness expressed towards the Lord's creation in terms of the animal world. I found that element of the film very sweet and appealing. 

• The humor in the movie was tactful, funny, and clean (with a few minor exceptions). 

Overall, I found Cinderella to be a beautiful, edifying film, with a few minor exceptions:

• Cinderella's extremely low-cut blue dress, which unfortunately graces the cover of the film. The dress was actually inconsistent with Cinderella's character, which was continually modest and gracious. Just a little more fabric, please!! :-) 

• A few mildly vulgar parts that weren't really necessary involving the fairy godmother--but again, very minor. 

• The theme running throughout the film to be kind and have courage--as if a person could be these things apart from the Lord. Kindness and courage are both good qualities, but empty without Christ. I chose to apply them as if Christ was enabling and to think of them Biblically rather than in a secular mindset--as true kindness and courage only being possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. My Mom would often do this with films when my sisters and I grew up--she would apply Biblical principles to films that were clean but not overtly Christian and see them through the eyes of Christ Jesus. I could just imagine her saying something along the lines of, "Well, of course--take courage in the Lord; be kind as He is kind." And voila! No longer a "secular" message devoid of the Gospel. This would be a good discussion to have with your children.

I really believe that families would enjoy and benefit from watching this film together. I especially believe that young girls/women who are starving for good role models to follow would benefit from watching this film. So pop some popcorn and enjoy a good, clean family movie in the last few weeks of summer. :-) You'll be glad that you did. :-) 





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