Ever After

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Entertainment: +3 1/2

Content: +2

Considering it's rated PG-13, EVER AFTER turns out to be a pleasant surprise. It's a very unique, entertaining rendition of the Cinderella fairy tale with only one seriously objectionable element. It doesn't have a fairy godmother who performs magical feats, but it does have a young peasant girl who falls in love with a prince and a wicked stepmother who makes life difficult for the girl. Drew Barrymore plays the young girl, Danielle, who lives with her stepmother (Angelica Huston) and two step-sisters in a chateau in medieval France. She is relegated to being their servant, but one day accidentally meets Henry (Dougray Scott), the handsome Prince of France. He mistakenly takes her to be from a royal family and they develop a friendship which soon leads to love. But Danielle's stepmother spitefully tells Henry that Danielle is not from royalty, and Henry feels deceived. And, of course, the story ends with a grand ball with Danielle appearing in costume with two very elegant slippers. EVER AFTER is a delightful story, with humorous elements, which will appeal both to teenagers and adults.

If it weren't for its one s-word, EVER AFTER would have resembled a PG or even G rated movie. The relationship between Danielle and Prince Henry is both touching and humorous, and never degenerates into a sexual affair. In fact, there are no suggestive elements in the film with the exception of some low cut dresses characteristic of this era. Only three mild rough words are spoken, but Danielle and others use the Lord's name in exclamations such as "Oh God and My God". Danielle strikes one of her obnoxious sisters with her fist, and even cuts the face of an antagonist in a sword duel. Henry also gets involved in a sword fight to protect Danielle and himself, but there are no injuries. As a young girl, Danielle loves her parents dearly and even tries to show respect for her stepmother. Also, in a stressful situation, Danielle prays to God to give her strength. With very limited objectionable elements, EVER AFTER is a fairly acceptable film for teenagers and adults, but not children.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: 20th Century Fox Film Corp., 10201 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: Few (3) times - All Mild

Obscene Language: Once - S-word

Profanity: Several (5) times - All Exclamatory (By God, God's Name, Oh God, My God, Good Lord)

Violence: Several times - Moderate (Chase threats, woman pushed around, man strikes another man, sword fight-no injuries, woman strikes another woman in face with fist, woman cuts man's face with dagger, woman pushed in water pond)

Sex: None

Nudity: Near Nudity - Few times (Low cut dresses)

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Once (man says he is

Drugs: None

Other: Woman calls on God for strength, young girl and father have loving relationship.

Running Time: Unknown
Intended Audience: Teenagers and Adults

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