Amy Adams and a Charming Fantasy; Clever Mix of Animation and Realism

Rating: 8/10 (31 December 2008)

Since the later 1970s, any film made for adults has had to be a personal project, so its creators can avoid de facto censorship by corporate tsars bent instead on supplying graphic emotional and special effects cinematic graphic drugs to their target mentally teenage addicts. "Enchanted" is such a vision, and less surprisingly so than it is satisfying. This I say is true because of what its makers tried to do even more than how well its creators performed that intended task. The use of animation plus filmed action in the film was not unprecedented; how seamlessly the combination works therein for many viewers may be so. This sprightly tale begins in a fantasy realm, Andalasia. We are introduced to a lovely commoner destined to marry a brave and handsome prince--despite the opposition of his mother, a true witch in several degrees, and her helper. After an animated series of songs and adventures during which we learn the young woman, Giselle, can charm animals into helping her--leading to a classic Disney historical-looking sequence--she and her prince, who has rescued her from an ogre, arrive at the royal palace to be wed; but, instead, she is sent as an exile to another realm--and emerges from a manhole in New York City. There she meets a wary, bemused but honest fellow named Robert, his daughter and his mismatched fiancée, But the brave prince soon follows her to save her, accompanied by a talkative chipmunk and followed by the Queen's besmitten aide, Nathaniel, whom we are told will try to stop the royal wedding. What succeeds this engrossing beginning I say is a gradual denouement to a satisfying ending, during which Giselle learns the limits of magic and the power of realism, and Robert learns the power of magic and the limits of doubt. This charming, fast-paced delight was directed by Kevin Lima, with script credited to Bill Kelly. Seven credited producers hired Alan Menken to
supply clever music, and Don Burgess to supply innovative cinematography and to incorporate the animated portions. Production Designer Stuart Wurtzel and Art Director John Kasarda dealt professionally with a variety of locales, ranging from an apartment to New York offices, stores and street features to a grand ballroom and Central Park. Set Decorator George DeTitta Jr. and Costume Designer Mona May deserved plaudits for their stellar work as well. The able cast includes likable Patrick Dempsey as Robert, James Marsden as the bravura Prince, Idina Menzel as the fiancée, Timothy Spall outstanding as Nathaniel, Susan Sarandon as the wonderfully witch evil Queen, Rachel Covey as Robert's cute daughter, Elizabeth Mathis as Robert's secretary, and talented Tonya Pinkins and Isiah Whitlock Jr. as battling divorce partners. But the core of the film I suggest is Amy Adams' award-level, lovely and memorable Giselle. Watch for a remarkable action-character development crisis, and a memorable ending during which all loose ends are neatly tied up so that all concerned can live on, mostly happily ever after.