One of My Absolute Favorites!
I love this one. I gave it a “10” years ago and have seen it multiple times since. Autumn Reiser is lovely and charming and because of this movie, I have always given her the benefit of the doubt in subsequent roles. Christopher Russell is adorable and sexy in the “Cinderfella” role. His appeal usually rests with his chemistry with his costars and it couldn’t have been better in this, one of his first Hallmark roles. He usually is a bit passive in his starring roles, but it really works in this one.
As the Cinderella storyline requires, Rob is bullied and taken advantage of throughout most of the movie. This is quite painful to watch and almost took a little shine off of the romance. When he finally grew a backbone and stood up for himself and did the right thing, it was a huge relief. As his Niece/Fairy godmother says, he is “just too nice.”
The parallels between the Cinderella story and the role reversal in this one were cleverly done. Autumn Reeser, as the “Prince Charming” figure can’t stand her high heels, so she carries them around with her instead of wearing them whenever she can. She is the daughter of a corporate magnate who is training her to take over the business. She is strong and smart and down to earth. The wicked stepmother and stepsisters are the head partner and his two sons of her corporate attorneys. Oooooh, they are horrible and evil! Rob is a lawyer who slaves for them while they take all the credit for his hard work. Again, that part was maddening. The casting of Christopher Russell as the put-upon drudge saved the character from being a weak wimp. Ok, he was a weak wimp, but CR is so tall and good-looking that it actually made him more relatable and human.
Anyway, the writing, the plot, and the cast all come together in this romance-centric Hallmark in which everything works. Not a weak link in it!
February 14, 2021
