Quite enchanting

Rating: Null/10 (10 February 2008)

Enchanted is built on two special premises, neither of which is completely novel. First, we have seen in "Kate and Leopold" the situation comedy of plunging into the modern world historical characters. Enchanted is a variation of the same theme, with storybook characters in stead. Secondly, challenging the "happily ever after" myth is best exemplified by the musical "Into the woods". These two themes, however, are blended in "Enchanted" with a fresh flavour.
"Enchanted" very wisely refrained from over-exploiting the comic situation of fairy book characters finding themselves in Manhattan. Once the appropriate amount of laugh has been generated, it moves on to more important things. Regarding the "happily ever after" theme, compared with "Into the woods", this movie is simpler and more focused. The interesting thing is that in "the city where there is no happily ever after", things eventually work out, but with a little twist.
Whether this movie makes or breaks depends entirely on the character Giselle, and Amy Adam makes it work. It is not easy to play someone with story book innocence (Giselle doesn't even know what the emotion "angry" is like). Nine attempts out of ten will end up looking ridiculous at best, and probably a lot worse. To play it so winningly and convincingly as Amy Adam did is close to being a miracle. Patrick Dempsey (the "bad guy" in the "Sweet home Alabama" triangle) handled his complementary role well. James Marsden (veteran "the other guy"  "X-men" series, "The notebook") is more like a continuation of his character from the animation opening, a challenge of a different sort. Ditto Susan Sarandon, but it's good to see her anyway. Worth special mention is Rachel Covey who plays the 6-year-old daughter.
One last note of interest is on the use of songs. There are not too many. The interesting thing is rather than having the song break out naturally as in musicals, we actually have one character telling another not to sing, explaining that it looks rather ridiculous to break out in a song in ordinary daily life. Finally, one particular shot references the opening of "The sound of music". Wonder if that has anything to do with Julie Andrews being the voice over narrator.