Not as fair as Snow White!

Mirror Mirror:

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Retelling the timeless fairytale of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs director Tarsem Singh of Immortals fame has brought yet another visual splendour in his latest movie Mirror Mirror. The kids-friendly film projects the lovely princess with an updated girl empowerment guise. It shows how the young girl matures, learns means of self defense, regains her birthright and marries her prince.

For all its overdone pomp and glamour, Mirror Mirror embodies some interesting scenes. The prologue recited by the least expected character, the villain of the movie, not only takes us by surprise but adds a new twist to the tale as a beautiful animated sequence of Snow White, her parents and Queen Clementinna as porcelain-doll versions, unfurl on the screen. This also reveals how closely the tale will follow along the footsteps of the Brothers Grimm original.

The human chess set controlled by the queen is another one fine example of how to keep the audience engaged. The simplicity of the black and white forest is another instance in which the film enchants the audience because it focuses their attention on the action rather than distracts them from a detailed background.

However in instances such as glimpses of the poverty-ridden village and the fabulous ball dance, the director had paid attention to the objects and figures in the backdrop. This enhances the alluring quality of the movie.

Though slapstick in some instances, the queen's plan in making the prince fall in love with her by mistakenly giving him a 'puppy love' portion breaks the monotonous flow of the tale.

The seven dwarfs: Napoleon, Half Pint, Grub, Grimm, Wolf, Butcher and Chuckles, presented as bandits and the mirror being an identical version of the queen too are unique concepts. Yet some scenes such as Snow White becoming skillful in swordsmanship and the idea that a 'kiss of true love' will break the queen's spell seems artificially inserted to show Snow White in a more mature light.

The Indian touch is evident in Mirror Mirror. The architecture of the queen's castle reminds us of the Taj Mahal.

Another such instance is found in the finale where the funky looking Snow White, clad in a bright blue dress with an orange bow, dances to Bollywood-esque sounding music.

Though the costumes are well done throughout the film, the climax scene makes us shudder while watching the painfully bright gown worn by Snow White which is also intended to be her wedding dress! It neither flatters her figure nor sets off the grace expected from a bridal attire. Rather we feel that she is a child who still has much growing up to do before marrying a prince or taking on the duties of a kingdom.

One thoroughly feels that costume designer Eiko Ishioka should have taken a cue from the costume that Anne Hathaway sported during her coronation in the The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement because the grown dazzled Anne's Mia Thermopolis as well as made her seem capable of standing on her own feet.

Lily Collins makes a cute-looking Snow White but could have done better in her performance.

Armie Hammer does not satisfy our idea of the ideal prince for Snow White. Not only is his character etched in an annoying manner but he fails to live up the dashing image intended for Prince Andrew Alcott whom both Snow White and her evil stepmother falls in love with. Instead we have a wimpish accident-prone being who hardly deserves a second glance.

The film ultimately belongs to Julia Roberts for her wonderful portrayal of the evil Queen Clementinna. Even in her most evil moment she never loses grip in dolling out caricatured version of the queen realistically.

Choosing her for such a role seems quite a smart move for not only does it generate interest but it also adds the much needed depth to Mirror Mirror.

Similarly Nathan Lane is well chosen as the queen's timid servant.

He adds humour in moments of need and manages to dish out a serious performance at the same instance.

Jordan Prentice, Mark Povinelli, Danny Woodburn, Mare Winningham, Michael Lerner and Sean Bean make up the rest of the cast.

Having witnessed similar 'happily-ever-after' endings and movies based on fairy tales such as Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast and Thumbelina, and awaiting another movie based on the same fairytale in Snow White and the Huntsman, most viewers would probably decide that Mirror Mirror is not the fairest of them after all!