The Cinderella narrative is one that has been part of our cultural history for centuries. The prospect of a poor young woman winning the heart of the prince is a potent one that still fires up imaginations and dreams.
In the new Netflix movie, The Royal Treatment, Isabella (Laura Marano) is the owner of a hair salon in New York City. Not afraid to share her opinion, she is known for her open heart and her dreams of seeing the world. Her life takes an unexpected twist when she is hired to cut the hair of Prince Thomas of Lavania (Mena Massoud). Thomas is used to being deferential to duty and the expectations placed upon him based upon his title.
Impressed by her work and her attitude, Thomas extends an invitation to Isabella and two of her colleagues to help him and his fiance, Lauren (Phoenix Connelly) get ready for their big day. As expected, they fall in love, but there are obstacles to their happiness.
The best word to describe it is cute. It’s one of those films that is watchable and entertaining, but not very deep. We all know how the story starts, where it is going, and where it will end. That being said, I appreciate the casting of Massoud as Prince Thomas. It’s nice to see a non-Caucasian actor playing this kind of role.
Another thing I liked was the portrayal of Lauren, Thomas’s fiance. It wouldnt have been a stretch to write her as the baddie who is only marrying him for the status and wealth that comes with being a princess. But she is written in a way that I feel for her as much as I do for Thomas.
The only issue I have is the portrayal of NYC and the characters who call her home. The image is almost stereotypical. It sort of has the flavor of the city, but that flavor is merely surface level. Maybe another viewer who does not know her like those of us who live here might be ok with it, but I am not. I wish the screenwriter had dug a little deeper to reveal her true character.
Do I recommend it? Maybe.
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