The One Aspect in Cinderella (2015) That’s Often Misinterpreted

(This post contains SPOILERS)

I really enjoyed Disney’s live-action remake of Cinderella and I think it’s their best effort so far. But I have heard criticism that in this version, Cinderella’s passive attitude keeps her from earning her happy ending. Two arguments are usually made. One is that she could have easily left her situation. While the film offers the explanation that she wants to keep the house for sentimental reasons, which fits with her character, she is not given any alternative as to where she could go. Her friend who brings up this question does not offer any options, just asking why she stays. Presumably, Ella could have become a servant elsewhere, but to do so would have downgraded her station even further. And while Ella does end up leaving the house at the end, so do her stepmother and stepsisters. As a result, the house would presumably revert to her again. Granted, she lives in a palace with Kit, but it is reasonable to assume that the royalty would retain it as a vacation home. The other point of contention is the scene in which the palace soldiers arrive at the house with the slipper. Ella sits in the attic, not exactly forlorn, yet apparently indifferent to the visitors below, which seems to bolster the contention that she is giving up. But the narration says that she didn’t think that the visitors were there to see her. We don’t know what she can see from that window but presumably, it did not afford a view sufficient to identifying the guests as palace guards. Also, unlike the original, she has no idea the prince is using the slipper to try to find her. All she knows is that he asked that she present herself. In the original, when she hears the prince is trying to find her, she almost immediately gets locked up and hidden from sight. The scene in which Lady Tremaine discovers the glass slipper puts this scene in a better context than I believe people give it credit. She offers Ella an ultimatum - she will allow her to marry the Prince, but only if Tremaine usurps Kit’s power, leaving him a puppet ruler. However, willing to sacrifice her happy ending in order to protect him, Ella refuses, bravely putting the needs of the kingdom before her own. When Tremaine then locks her up, Ella at least is consoled that even if Kit has to marry someone else, at least he can be his own king, free from her stepmother’s control. Since the later scene takes place days, possibly weeks later, enough time would have passed for her come to terms with her sacrifice. To say that Ella in this version of the fairy tale is too passive is missing the point. Her strength is conveyed in the composure not to scream and cry despite the desperation of her circumstances. In fact, her sorrowful reaction takes place off-screen since time is more spread out in this film. I hope this interpretation adds further insight into these scenes. Whether or not you think they succeeded in execution is up to you. I really love this film and personally, it’s my favorite Disney live-action remake. Links Referenced: https://youtu.be/aIXd3F9ksac?t=184