Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister

When I finished the book _Confessions_ shortly before the movie aired on ABC, I was very impressed and quite interested to see how it would translate to film. The announced cast seemed a very good choice and the whole look of the movie was very fine indeed in the commercials. Now I've seen the movie. so how did it fare?

Well, as an adaptation of the book, there could've been some improvement. But as a film in general, it was a Sunday evening well-spent.

It _is_ a good thing that they did not try to stick right to the source, like the recent _Harry Potter_ movie. But it wasn't such a good idea to add magic to the movie, which was nonexistent in the book for a reason. It also would've been nice if they hadn't changed the whole story of Clara's mother, but as this was a 90-minute movie, it is excusable. However, some new or changed things were welcome. For instance, I enjoyed Stockard Channing's "nicer" (if you can say that) Margarethe. It was also probably better that they tightened up the characters. Ruth speaking was just as good as Ruth mute.

Performances were great as well. Stockard Channing is a standout as the meddling Margarethe. Azura Skye really is a charming Iris and Emma Poole has some excellent moments as Ruth. There isn't really a lot to say about Jenna Harrison as Clara, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Overall I was quite impressed with the cast.

_Confessions_ may not be the best translation, but it is admirable that they weren't afraid to be a bit different. There aren't many things I didn't like about it in general (although Ruth's big mouth in a certain scene was _way_, way too easy; and I didn't see it necessary that they add the Fortune Teller, but she was somewhat creepy in a good way), and there are some things I _really_ liked about it (the good parts are _really_ good). As a book adaptation, I'd give it a 6, but all in all, as a production, I'm torn between a 7 and an 8. Closer to an 8, I'm thinking.

Recommended.

I enjoyed this movie a lot. I always thought the original was a little dull, so when they changed a few things up, it was interesting to see what the producers came up with. I did find "Cinderella" (clara) very annoying at the beginning of the movie though. Yes it was obvious she was gorgeous but she didn't have to rub it in people's noses like that. It felt like throughout half the movie, Cinderella was playing the bad guy and the two stepsisters (who weren't even ugly) were the good guys......

But overall, I loved every bit of it, it's like the narrator said in the end...."though the story may not be as magical, in the end, it's far more beautiful." something like that! :)

I am a big fan of fairy tales. Oh sure, I saw the Disney movies like any other kid, I've also read all the originals - even the original Grimms "Aschenputtel" in German - yes, I know the Cinderella story all the way around. I've seen probably every movie ever based on it (The Slipper and the Rose, The Glass Slipper, Ever After, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, Ash Pet... etc) This adaptation is my favorite beyond compare.

The Cinderella story is approached in a completely new light. Our heroine is the ugly stepsister (my one complaint: Azura Skye is far too beautiful for the role) who is trying to make her way in the world with a demanding mother, a simple sister, and a spoiled stepsister. Iris is a fabulous character, and more than I can say for any other production, she seems like a REAL person. She loves her family, and even loves Cinderella, despite the troubles she has with her. All of the characters are interesting and believable - the way the script is written, it's as if the story really could have happened. They did a much better job proving it here than in EVER AFTER.

Stockard Channing was perfectly cast as the stepmother. She's presented as not an evil witch, but a ferociously strong-willed woman who is out to survive at any cost. Oh, she is hard on Cinderella on occasion - and the girl certainly had it coming. Cinderella isn't presented as a completely spoiled girl, but rather one that is just to scared to make up her mind about where she wants to be. She stays among the ashes, the writer suggests, not because her stepmother forces her to, but because she's too frightened to face the real world.

I loved this movie from beginning to end. I'm also reading the book which is equally engrossing. It's too bad they left so much out of the movie that was in the book - Clara believing she's a changeling and Iris's belief of a demon in the house - but it's certainly understandable that they couldn't put everything in. I keep my fingers crossed that this will be released on DVD soon, because there is no other Cinderella story superior.

After reading the Gregory Maguire book, I didn't think that anyone could translate so rich a story and group of characters to the screen - I was wrong! Wonderful adaptation of the story and great casting and sense of authenticity about the period. Brilliantly acted and great passion for the story...

Much of the darkness has been stripped or made shallow for this movie, but overall, this was a charming version of Maguire's story. The acting was great (Stockard Channing RULES!), the scenery & cinematography was lovely, and the writers tried to stay true to Maguire's examination of the truth behind beauty versus ugliness. (And of course, neither of the stepsisters were *ugly*.)