Synopsis
To prove the world still needs fairy godmothers, Eleanor (Jillian Bell), a young fairy godmother, travels to Boston to help Mackenzie (Isla Fisher) realize her childhood wish.
Review
Over the past several years, Disney has been redefining what “true love” means, a precedent they themselves set with their princess films beginning way back in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, with movies like Maleficent and Frozen. Godmothered continues this effort, resulting in a not-so-subtle moment during the finale to really drive home the numerous ways love is represented across all kinds of families. Throughout the film, leading up to this climactic scene, the film subtle spends its time laying the groundwork for this scene, being self aware of what the filmmakers’ end goal is. While I appreciate Disney’s efforts to update themselves to the time, this feels like a retread of their previous films that are trying to do the same, particularly Enchanted, which has a very similar premise of a character coming from a fantasy world into the “real world.” This familiarity leads to predictability and a feeling of unoriginality.
Now, with that said, I did have fun while watching this movie. Jillian Bell as the young fairy godmother Eleanor was charming and sweet and very different than her role in in 22 Jump Street, the most recent film of Bell’s I have seen, where she was much more foulmouthed but no less funny. Her comedic timing is impeccable and her sense of optimism is infectious. She pairs well with Isla Fisher, who is a gem like always. Not to be outdone by the adults, Jillian Shea Spaeder and Willa Skye, who play Fisher’s daughters, provide their own sense of wit and charisma. All around, the cast makes the film a worthwhile viewing, even if the rest of the movie around them does not.
I thought Godmothered was GOOD 🙂 While it does feel like it’s retreading previous Disney attempts to redefine their version of Happily Ever After, it copies some of the best aspects about said endeavors, too. The characters are charming, the message is a powerful and wholesome one, and there is a sense of whimsy and fun the whole way through. While there is a lot of plot for this type of movie, it still manages to provide enough enjoyment to at least elicit a watch.
Trailer
Cast & Crew
Sharon Maguire – Director
Kari Granlund – Screenplay / Story
Melissa Stack – Screenplay
Rachel Portman – Composer
Jillian Bell – Eleanor
Isla Fisher – Mackenzie
Jillian Shea Spaeder – Jane
Willa Skye – Mia
Mary Elizabeth Ellis – Paula
Santiago Cabrera – Hugh
Artemis Pedbani – Duff
Utkarsh Ambudkar – Grant
Jun Squibb – Agnes
Jane Curtin – Moira
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