Film Fantasy Friday: Just Ella

Aaaaand we're back! Time for a palate-cleanser after my nerd rage of the week. Margaret Peterson Haddix's Just Ella is a retelling of the Cinderella story--and I am a serious sucker for a fairy tale retelling (note to self: do Beauty at some point)--in which Ella reaches the palace and is prepared to marry Prince Charming...only to find that the royal life isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Ella: played by Saoirse Ronan, Ella (or Princess Cynthiana Eleanora) chafes against her engagement to the prince and concocts a plan to escape the palace and her restrictive, meaningless life.

Prince Charming: played by Jamie Campbell Bower, the prince is the handsome but selfish and cruel heir to Suala's throne. When Ella tells him she does not love him, he responds...immaturely.

Mary: played by Kaitlyn Dever, Mary is a servant girl in the palace with whom Ella becomes friends. Mary helps Ella in her plan to escape the palace.

Jed: played by Jack O'Connell, Jed is being groomed to become the palace's next official court priest. However, his true goal is to create a refugee camp for the victims of the Sualan war. He is also in love with Ella.

Lucille: played by Helena Bonham Carter, Lucille is Ella's stepmother. A manipulative, cruel woman with two daughters, Lucille first treats Ella as her personal slave, then attempts to befriend her once Prince Charming shows his interest.