Review of The Princess Diaries (2001) by Mrmoviebuff — 15 Feb 2017

A young, everyday girl discovers that she is part of royalty in Garry Marshall's 'The Princess Diaries', the Disney film where a young girl goes through the journey of how to fit in to the royal lifestyle and juggle her typical high school life.

Anne Hathaway stars as the young Mia Thermopolis who is told that she is the granddaughter of the Queen of Genovia, Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews) on her 16th birthday. When she finds out, she begins to embrace this life, and start getting herself a makeover.

Throughout her journey, it seems that things back in school is getting difficult, her friend Lilly (Heather Matarazzo) begins to resent her, for some reason, but once she is told, she gets excited for her as well.

Also, her love life doesn't get any easier, with the media constantly harassing her at every moment since she qualifies as a celebrity since being a part of royalty. I could go on and on discussing what happens in the film, but all I can say now is; it's unabashedly sentimental and charming in its own right.

But, the screenplay written by Gina Wendkos, adapted from Meg Cabot's "The Princess Diaries" novel, doesn't allow any realism or character. Everyone here seems like a fictional cartoon character stereotype.

You even have teen pop star Mandy Moore playing the school bully, who even pokes fun at Mia, after her makeover. No actual bully would do this, that I know of, but it's just the filmmakers' attempt to make her character less sympathetic.

'The Princess Diaries' is a colossal failure for a fairy-tale attempt of a story. There is nothing in this film that makes you want to see it. Hathaway and Andrews have fun in their roles, and they play off each other's charm really well.

.. but that isn't enough to say that this film is funny and warm enough to recommend.