The classic fairytale gets a modern makeover in Warner Bros. newest romantic teen flick movie, A Cinderella Story directed by Mark Rosman. Nothing changed in the plot of the Grimm Brothers’ version of the story. One could even guess what the story is all about by just watching the movie thrillers. Almost everything in the story is a cliché. I think the Cinderella complex thing is too exhausted by other fairytale-based movies which come out together with the A Cinderella Story. However, what made this movie click among the teenagers is the modern and cute packaging of the story.

The story was simply updated and transformed. The movie was set in a sunny Californian town of San Fernando Valley instead of the magical far away land. Samantha Montgomery (Hillary Duff), a tomboyish girl is Cinderella living in the attic furnished with bedroom necessities and a computer set. She lived with her mean stepmother (Jennifer Coolidge) and stepsisters (Andrea Avery and Madeline Zima) who inherited her father’s properties. Sam didn’t only run for errands at home but also serve as waitress and utility worker in her stepmother’s diner. In this story, Cinderella went to school with her step-sisters who were trying hard to be popular and beautiful.

Sam’s prince is Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray), a football quarterback and the school heartthrob. They were first met on-line friends and eventually became text mates. Instead of a royal ball where the lovers supposed to meet, there was a Halloween dance. Sam was dressed like Cinderella in the fairytale and Austin was dressed as a prince. Sam’s fairy godmother was the diner’s manager (Regina King) who constantly encouraged her to believe in herself. She sends her off to the Halloween party on her convertible instead of a pumpkin coach. Sam’s cell phone alarmed at midnight and she rushed off to get back to the diner. Instead of a glass slipper, she left behind her cell phone. Austin was optimistic in finding his princess. On the other hand, his former girlfriend (Julie Gonzalo), the snob cheerleader, was also desperately tracking down the mystery girl who stole her boyfriend.

As expected the movie ends happily. The protagonists were able to conquer against all odds. Likewise, the villains in the movie got the “punishment” that they deserved. Sam ended up with Austin after discovering the truth and the sincerity of their feelings. Their love is “the rain amidst the drought”.

Aside from the predictable and cheesy parts, one could also notice the weird probabilities in the movie. For one, it is impossible for a pretty girl like Sam not to attract attention from her schoolmates. Another instance is that her schoolmates always tease Sam because she works in a diner while Austin who works in a gasoline station didn’t get one. The story also emphasized obviously the contrast between the different characters in the movie. It appeared that Sam and the diner’s manager are the only likable characters while the rest were portrayed as either funny or nasty. Well, that’s what movies are in the first place.

A Cinderella Story is a romantic fairytale movie that does not only focus in finding Prince Charming but also in achieving self-empowerment. It is a good thing to note that in spite of all the sappy parts which could make someone’s eyes roll, one could learn some lessons of boosting the self-esteem amidst discouragements (and getting even with the “evil ones”).

If you’re the type who loves to watch cutie-cutie movies that could give you a good laugh and some giggles, then A Cinderella Story is perfect for you. But if you’re the type who looks for epiphanies in movies, just watch the thrillers and you’ll get the whole story.