Movie Description
Garry Marshall's THE PRINCESS DIARIES comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. An English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, and a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Stereo. Spanish subtitles are accessible, and the English soundtrack is closed-captioned. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by the director, a commentary track recorded by lead actresses Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, deleted scenes with optional directorial commentary, music videos, and a making-of featurette. This is a solid release from Disney/Buena Vista.
Teen actress Anne Hathaway gives an endearing performance in Garry Marshall's delightful Disney comedy, THE PRINCESS DIARIES. Assisted by such seasoned pros as Julie Andrews and Hector Elizondo (a Marshall regular), Hathaway shines here in her first major film role. She plays Mia, a high school misfit who has resigned herself to social invisibility. Mia and her best friend, Lilly (Heather Matarazzo), are outcasts. While Lilly relishes the role, Mia just wishes a cute popular boy she likes, Josh (Erik von Detten), would notice her. Mia's life changes dramatically when her grandmother (Andrews) contacts her and Mia finds out she is heir to the throne of Genovia, a small European country between France and Spain. The klutzy, socially awkward girl doesn't think she's up to the job, but she agrees to be coached in regal manners by her grandmother before deciding if she wants to become a princess. Marshall (PRETTY WOMAN) is clearly in his element directing this light, charming teen comedy. Andrews, perfectly cast as Queen Clarisse Renaldi, makes her character seem both imperious and caring. Hathaway's performance and the presence of teen pop star Mandy Moore assure that young girls, in particular, will enjoy the film.
| Credits | | Producer: | Debra Martin Chase, Mario Iscovich, Whitney Houston | | Cast: | Caroline Goodall, Erik von Detten, Mandy Moore |
Editorial Reviews
"...Andrews is ideal casting and refreshingly assured..."
Variety - p.18 - Robert Koehler (07/30/2001)
"...The film is well cast. Ms. Hathaway is royalty in the making, a young comic talent with a scramble of features....The camera is mad about her..."
New York Times - p.E11 - Elvis Mitchell (08/03/2001)
"...[Featuring] a comic gem of a performance by Anne Hathaway....She's lovely and funny at the same time..."
USA Today - p.3E - Susan Wloszczyna (08/03/2001)
"...Charming....Best of all, Julie Andrews reigns, her formidable anti-Poppins-ish dignity its own form of hilarity..."
Entertainment Weekly - p.49 - Lisa Schwarzbaum (08/10/2001)
"THE PRINCESS DIARIES places three-dimensional human beings in a fairy-tale plot in a most beguiling fashion and teams a radiant Julie Andrews with appealing screen newcomer Anne Hathaway..."
Los Angeles Times - p.4 - Kevin Thomas (08/03/2001)
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