Schmaltzy Disney on a Cinderella theme, but very enjoyable for a relaxing evening in. The plot is probably well-known: Mia, a gauche, clumsy teenage American girl who tries hard to be invisible at school suddenly learns that her grandmother is Queen of a small European country. And as her father (whom she never knew) recently died, Mia is heir apparent to the throne of this country. She is appalled at first, but agrees to some ‘princess lessons’ and a makeover, and is gradually transformed.

Julie Andrews is perfect as the royal grandmother, and Anne Hathaway as Mia is excellent too – she manages both the awkward clumsy stage and the increasing elegancy of the transformation. There are some delightful scenes with the two of them together, and a few low-key ethical issues such as the shallowness of high school cheerleaders and sports stars, and the need for people to stand up for what they believe in.

I found it very enjoyable, and my husband enjoyed it too, rather to his surprise.

There are a few extras; we enjoyed the behind-the-scenes shots and descriptions of how the cast gelled together, and how the film was put together.

I’m trying to figure out what all the fuss is about with this movie. It’s kind of a Cinderella-meets-American-Girl jam packed with every kind of ugly-duckling-becomes-swan, romance-chick-flick cliche Hollywood ever exploited.

I can see Anne Hathaway having the bad judgment to do this film; she’s young and lacks judgment. But Julie Andrews?! Julie, Julie, Julie! What were you thinking?

You might wonder what I was thinking watching this thing to the bitter end. I only have two excuses:

1) My faith in Julie misled me into believing it would get better, and

2) I was at the end of a Valentine’s-Day-Saturday working jag and was too tired to switch channels.