real "magic" is Hollywood getting it right

Rating: 9/10 (4 January 2014)

Everyone's got a job. You do. I do. Hollywood does. For over 100 years Hollywood's job has been essentially matching actors to the roles they are supposed to play. It is called "casting" with 10s of 1000s of experiments under their belt, you would by now expect them to get it right by now. Problem, they don't always manage it. See for example what happened when they tried to cast Kristen Stewart as Snow White in Snow White and the Huntsman -- if ever there was a fish out of water, it was Stewart in this role and, yes, before the emails start, I am aware there is sequel in the works, but Stewart has so many unquestioning fans (most of whom need permission to stay up late) they would pay to watch her do laundry. (Sometimes it is not Hollywood's fault as for example when major stars control a production and cast themselves -- see my review of Jack Reacher). Anyway, to the point, here they nailed it. Remember that "close" only counts in horseshoes. But here they did not have to worry, they nailed it. Adams is pitch-perfect, one of the few actresses who could sell you a storybook character in the real world. She is a gem. And Sarandon as the wicked witch is simply a guilty pleasure. Great movie.