Mirror Mirror

A STILL FROM THE MOVIE

Movie Review: Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? Well, this time it's not Snow White, but the evil Queen herself. Yes, there have been many Snow White fairly tales that have cast their spell on Hollywood's silver screen in the past, but then never ever have we witnessed this fairy tale from the POV of the evil Queen. This is perhaps your chance to know what happens to the not-so-fairy-Queen ( Julia Roberts) in fairyland. 

The Queen has cast a spell on the king, she now wants to marry a young Prince... who just can't take his eyes of Princess Snow White (Lily Collins). Snow White is on a mission to save her kingdom from the evil shackles of the Queen, of course with the help of the seven dwarfs and the love of her life, Prince Alcott ( Armie Hammer). This is what we know. Now for what we do not know. Prince Alcott and Princess Snow White in the new ice age meet in a rather 'compromising' situation. The Queen stammers and just cannot take her eyes off the young Prince each time he appears shirtless. Snow White takes pride in defeating her Prince Charming in a battle of the swords -- if need be she is all out to punch him too. Though a figure of utmost righteousness, Snow White does not hesitate to 'steal' (read kidnap) her Mr Right to lip lock for the first time ever, and ultimately settle down in marriage. Lastly, no one here seems to believe in the most apt fairy tale concept of living peacefully ever after. It's naach gaana Bollywood style, courtesy desi director Tarsem Singh, that finally brings an end to the great royal tamasha. Different. Contemporary. Interesting. 

But then how apt is Julia as the epitome of a conniving Queen? Well, her evilness comes with a sense of humour. Though her costumes give her the need-of-the-hour royale touch (ironically she looks prettier than the princess), for most of the time you end up thinking this: Is this Queen straight out of the pages of My Best Friend's Wedding? Case in point, she going weak in the knee each time she spots her prince charming in a semi nude (read shirtless) avatar. More than being hated for being evil - she's barely vicious -- you actually end up sympathising (and laughing) with her specially when she just can't get her man to love her... and sleep with her. In fact, it is her mirror image and the final shot with the forbidden fruit in hand that somewhat sends a chill down your spine. Next is Lily Collins, who in her urge to I-can-fight-my-battle-alone syndrome, loses out on the little nuances of a perfect fairy tale heroine. She is not shy. She is not coy. She is not dainty. As for Armie's Prince Alcott, a love potion gone wrong is more than what he (and you) can perhaps take. He turns into a puppy kinda figure with a knack to lick all things human... and pant around. Lastly, wonder what is it about the dwarfs that we just can't get ourselves to say 'oh-so-cute'. 

Agreed it's new. Agreed it's different. Agreed it's year 2012. And agreed it's the fairy tale from the evil Queen's perspective. But then is this Hollywood's Snow White tale really the fairest of them all? Got to wait and watch, specially when there's another Snow White (and the Huntsman) coming soon....