Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted is a 2004 fantasy romantic comedy film directed by Tommy O'Haver and written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith loosely based on Gail Carson Levine's 1997 novel of the same name. Starring Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy, the film plays with the usual fairy tale genre.
The film is a co-production between companies in the United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
== Plot ==
In the kingdom of Lamia, misguided fairy godmother Lucinda Perriweather bestows the “gift” of obedience on newborn Ella of Frell, causing her to instantly obey any command she is given. As a child, even though Ella is obiendient, she is kind hearted to those who cares about, even though the obedience can get out of hand sometimes. After some time Ella asks her mother and Mandy the household fairy if Mandy can take away the curse. They explain to Ella that Mandy is only a household fairy and as per the fairy law the only person who can remove the curse is the one who placed it. Even though Ella's mother and Mandy knew about the curse, Ella's father did not know about it at all. Some years later, on her deathbed, Ella's mother warns her daughter not to tell anyone about the gift, for fear that someone might use it to exploit Ella. Her mother gives Ella her necklace which Ella keeps with her.
Years later, Ella's father Sir Peter, who will risk losing his home, has married wealthy socialite, Dame Olga and her daughters Hattie and Olive, who dislikes Ella and treats her poorly. Meanwhile Prince "Char" Charmont and his Uncle King Edgar go to the opening of a new shopping center in Lamia, while there the Prince Charmont fan club cheers while Ella and her best friend Areida who know about the hardships the ogres and giants are facing try to speak up but Hattie sends Ella home. Soon the fan club chases Char who meets Ella in the woods and manages to miss the crowd. He takes a liking to Ella as most girls swoon when they see him while she actually stands up to him. After some time he invites her to his coronation ball. Jealous, Hattie and Olive find out about Ella’s obedience and use it to humiliate her she is even ordered to tell her friend she will never see her again which leaves Ella heartbroken. One night Ella resolves to find Lucinda to undo her gift. Mandy, the household fairy, agrees and lends Ella her boyfriend, Benny, whom she accidentally transformed into a magic book. Ella learns that Lucinda is in Giantville for a wedding and leaves to find her.
On her journey, Ella rescues Slannen, an elf who wants to be a lawyer rather than be forced to be an entertainer. As it turns out Edgar passed a law stating that all elves must only perform. Sometime later they are captured by ogres but are rescued by Char. He joins them, intending to avenge the death of his father, and Ella opens his eyes to the cruelty of the laws oppressing elves and giants enacted by Char’s paternal uncle, the Regent Sir Edgar.
While at a wedding in Giantville, Char speaks to fellow giant Mr. Kubaduck and promises he'll restore peace to the Giants. After singing upon request, Ella and Char begin to fall in love and even share a kiss by the fire. Edgar learns of Ella's gift from her stepsisters. Knowing his nephew is in love with her, Edgar orders Ella to murder Char at midnight and to keep this plan secret. Edgar reveals that he murdered Char's father, and the prince’s death will make Edgar king. Ella writes Char a letter, saying she must leave but cannot explain why. She has Slannen chain her to a tree, hoping to wait out Edgar's command, while Slannen recruits more elves and giants to protect Char.
Lucinda appears and Ella begs her to take back her gift. Offended, Lucinda insists that Ella remove the gift herself and unchains her. Forced back to the castle, Ella stumbles into the ball. Char whisks her away to a secret hall of mirrors, where he proposes. As Ella is about to stab Char, she sees her reflection and commands herself to no longer be obedient, permanently freeing herself from the gift. Char notices the dagger, and Edgar has Ella arrested before she can explain herself.
Benny reveals Ella is in the dungeon, and Slannen sneaks into the castle along with a band of elves, giants, and ogres, and frees her. After Ella is freed Benny shows that Edgar has poisoned Char's crown, intending to kill him at the coronation. Ella and the others crash the ceremony and a brawl ensues. In the scuffle, Mandy manages to turn Benny human again. As Char and Ella fight off the guards, she confesses her love for him and reveals Edgar's plot. Edgar's talking snake, Heston, almost fatally bites Char, which Ella prevents, Heston is then trampled to death by Char's fans. Char takes as evidence of his uncle's guilt. When questioning why his uncle would kill his own brother and Char's father, Edgar states that he wanted to be king but his brother was in the way this shocks everyone present. Edgar attempts to proclaim himself king, but foolishly puts on the poisoned crown and collapses. Char and Ella try to kiss but Hattie and Olive come forward ordering Ella to never kiss him again but Ella takes back her mother's necklace and the two embrace.
Soon after, Char and Ella are married, with Areida as Ella's maid of honor. Char toasts to a new era of equality among all citizens of the kingdom. Edgar is revealed to still be alive, but disabled. The cast performs a final dance number of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" before the newlyweds ride off on their honeymoon.
Category:2004 films
Category:Miramax films
Category:Rated PG
Category:Fairy tale films
Category:Based on book
Category:Films starring Anne Hathaway
Category:Films starring Cary Elwes
Category:Films starring Eric Idle
Category:Films starring Steve Coogan
Category:Films starring Minnie Driver