Plot
From the world of the Brothers Grimm, this sideways take on the Cinderella fable, is told from the point of view of Elvira. Along with little sister Alma, and mother Rebbeka, they have moved into the home of Otto and his daughter Agnes for her mothers impending marriage to Otto.
Directly after the wedding, Otto drops dead – and the family – now broke put all the faith in Elvira to woo Prince Julian at the upcoming Ball.
Desperate to look the part, Elvira goes to extreme lengths to marry her ‘true love’ – but how far will one go for ‘perfection’.
Direction/Cinematography
Feature film debut from Norwegian director Emilie Blichfeldt.
I loved how she utilised mostly practical effects, especially with some of the horror aspects.
The lighting, especially during the ball is noticeable, as it appears as if it really would have at the time – more dark – than light due to there only being candles available.
Cast/Characters
The cast include Lea Myren as Elvira, Ane Dahl Torp as Rebekka, Thea Sofie Loch Næss as Agnes, Flo Fagerli as Agnes.
I’m of course not familiar with any of their work, as they are clearly all from the region of Norway etc, but they all do a fantastic job.
Breakdown
From Shudder, comes this unique take on the Cinderella story, where we follow the POV of one of the Ugly Stepsisters – Elvira, who is in her own right somewhat pretty – but has a few features that others see unattractive.
Her mother, Rebekka marries Otto – and he dies quite soon after. It is then revealed that neither family has any money, and now it is up to Elvira to ‘better’ herself in order to woo Prince Julian – who she loves from afar.
She then starts the process of learning to dance (from a harsh and overbearing teacher), losing weight (from the help of a tapeworm – which she swallows an egg – and it continues to grow inside her), as well as getting a nose job, and eye lash extensions. Some of these moments are quite graphic (like the eyelashes getting sewn in with a super up close shot!)
This is just the start of the ‘body horror’ scenes – with more to come throughout the duration – especially in the back half – where Elvira goes to extremes to fit into the slipper… by chopping off her toes! (The only problem is she chops off her right toes, and the prince has the left shoe! Whoops!) – and she finally gives up the tapeworm by rejecting it – all with the help of little sister Alma.
Throughout the film, the relationships between Elvira and Rebekka are seen to be tumultuous – with Rebekka clearly only tolerating her daughters’ existence. She takes great pleasure in watching Elvira’s suffering at times, however Alma is the opposite, being the empath of the family – always horrified at what Elvira is doing to herself for the family.
There are some very funny moments in the film, especially in the Dr who takes it upon himself to ‘better’ herself – and then when she cuts off the wrong toes.
There is a moment in the film that pushes boundaries that don’t really need to be pushed, in a very graphic sex scene between Agnes and one of the stable boys. Because of this she is ‘demoted’ within the family, and becomes the slave they call ‘Cinderella’. If I were to remove anything from the film it would have been this scene, as it adds nothing to the plot.
I did find the pacing a little off, as the ball occurs in the last third of the film (it is brilliantly shot, with stunning costumes, hair/makeup and the lighting that makes you think you are really in the old ages with all the candles etc).
I also wouldn’t have added the ‘magical’ element of Cinderella’s story. This takes a ultra realistic story, and gives it a supernatural element that doesn’t really make any sense. Putting the ball sooner, could have given us the ‘foot’ scene much earlier too.
The entire films main point is beauty standards for women, and what they must do to ‘appease’ those around them – like men, and (maybe to a greater extent?) other women?
This got Oscar nominated for makeup, which is strong in the back half when the Tapeworm begins to make Elvira the ugly stepsister, such as losing her hair among others. The removal of the tapeworm is impressive for the practical effects too! There is some great use of sound as the tapeworm moves around in Elvira’s intestines too!
Overall
Despite my few downs, this is a brilliant film. From the use of lighting, the costumes/hair, the makeup (which was Oscar nominated!), and the performances.
This is extremely graphic in both nature, with the body horror elements, and that ‘one’ scene that really doesn’t belong.
A very strong recommend, but it is not for the faint hearted.
4.5/5
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