However, Tennant takes this familiar material and crafts a charming, captivating motion picture. He gives the villains a few human qualities, but still manages to make them despicable enough that we feel justified in cheering when they receive their comeuppance. Danielle and Henry are clearly fated to be together, but they have to overcome a number of obstacles along the way, including her dishonesty, her step-family's duplicity, and his prejudice. As good as the costumes and setting are, Tennant does not craft a flawless period piece. In fact, Ever After transpires in a pseudo-16th century that bears only a passing resemblance to the historical reality.
Anachronisms abound, both in attitudes and in speech.
The characters talk as if they are products of the 1900s, not the 1500s, using idioms that, at the time, were centuries away from making their way into the language. Tennant doesn't appear to be bothered by these inaccuracies, but those who are sticklers for period detail may be distracted by this sort of thing. As Danielle, she radiates tremendous appeal. In , has found the right tone for this effort. The love story is wrapped around interludes of comedy, adventure, and drama.