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The Cast
Amy Adams as Giselle
Patrick Dempsey as Robert Philip
James Marsden as Prince Edward
Susan Sarandon as Narissa
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The Production
Il était une fois was first developed in September 1997 with Touchstone Pictures but however they thought that that it will be unsuitable to have it as a R-rated movie. In 2002 Rob Marshall was going to direct it but he turned it down and in 2001 Jon Turtletub left it to direct National Treasure. Adam Shankman was to direct it in 2003 but that too was scraped because it didn’t work. Reese Witherspoon & Kate Hudson were in line to play Giselle but they didn’t get it. On May 25th 2005 Kevin Lima had been hired as the new director and Bill Kelly wrote the script for the new version. Lima worked with Kelly from beginning to end which filled the entire floor with storyboards of the movie.
After Lima showed it to the chairperson he agreed and they started production. Thousands of actrices like Drew Barrowmore,Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Garner,Salma Hayek,Jennifer Aniston and singer Christina Aguilrea were all auditioning for Giselle. And for the actors Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Charlie Sheen, Keanu Reeves and even Sean Penn auditioned for the role as Robert Philip but they all turned it down as Kevin wanted to find a less known actress as Giselle and well known actors like Patrick Dempsey who won millions of viewers as the self-centred Dr Derek Shepard in ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. So on November 14th 2005 a red head actress named Amy Adams auditioned for the part and she stood out to Lima because not only had she the Disney princess vibe but she had the commitment to the character ,her ability to escape into the characters being without ever judging the character as overwhelming.
For the animation it took over a an to complete. Lima wanted the animated part to be a homage to past Disney princess films from Snow White to Cinderella.
It’s the first Disney live action/animated feature to feature cartoon characters becoming real in New York City as other live action/animated films had hand drawn characters interacting with the live action actors like Mary Poppins,Bed knobs & Broomsticks etc.
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My favourite characters
I have three so here they are
Giselle: I l’amour her innocence and how she interacts with the real world. She’s OTT annoying,fun,sweet and beautiful.
Robert: I l’amour his cynical ways and how he doesn’t believe in romance as its just a fantasy.
Edward: The most hilarious character in this film, I loved his witty ways and his vain ways . James Marsden won me over with his performance and his chant talent.
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Favourite moments
Here is my haut, retour au début 3 favourite moments
The that’s how toi know scene: Whether your down in the dumps and feeling depressed this will make toi sing and dance around the house. I l’amour the choreography in this scene and Amy Adams was perfect in this scene. Its one of those songs that toi can sing for days and toi can’t get it out of your head.
The ballroom scene; This scene blew me away with Patrick Dempsey’s secret hidden talent. Yes folks he can sing and dance. I loved the music(So Close) and the choreography which is done par Jon O Connell who also did the choreography for the 2004 movie Shall we dance .
The chemistry between Giselle & Robert: I l’amour how they are so different and they share different aspects on romance. I l’amour the finale of the movie which was so cute.
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The hidden message
l’amour can happen in both worlds and toi have to believe in it
Acting: 10/10
The effects: 8/10
The music:9/10
Il était une fois is without a doubt the best film since Beauty & the Beast. Thumbs up for me.
