i saw it ages ago but was kind of impressed thinking earlier it would be a fake
A Cinderella Story
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Funny and sweet update of the Cinderella story.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of A Cinderella Story was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that there are some tense and sad moments, including the (off-camera) death of Sam's father and emotional abuse by Fiona. The movie has some mild schoolyard language, brief potty humor, a comic scuffle, a joke about eating disorders and a somewhat casual attitude about cheating in school. There is a sweet kiss. A strength of the movie is the portrayal of loving and loyal relationships between diverse people.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about what made it possible for Sam to hold on to her dreams and her self-respect despite Fiona's efforts to destroy them both. What was it about Sam that made her step-mother and step-sisters feel so threatened? Families could talk about the importance of really looking at people and really listening to them, and about the importance of being willing to let others see you as you really are (which requires knowing yourself very well, too).
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on A Cinderella Story
What’s the Story?
In this Cinderella update, high school senior Sam (Hilary Duff) lives in the San Fernando Valley with her mean stepmother, Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge) and stepsisters. After Sam's adored father was killed in an earthquake, Fiona made her sleep in the attic and work in the family business, a diner. Sam dreams of going to Princeton but needs Fiona to pay for it, so she follows orders and takes verbal abuse. Sam gets support from diner manager Rhonda (Regina King) and best friend Carter (Dan Byrd). And she has an online relationship with a boy she met in a chatroom for Princeton hopefuls, unaware that he's Austin Ames, student body president and star quarterback. He does not know she is "Diner Girl" Sam, so unworthy of notice that she is all but invisible except when the cool kids make fun of her. Sam's secret email-pal invites her to meet him on the dance floor at 11, at the Halloween dance. And so begins a magical story about Sam's magical encounter with the prince of her dreams in which she leaves behind...her cell phone.
Is It Any Good?
Girls will love this fresh, funny, and sweet, update of the Cinderella story, and it might win some fans among their older siblings and parents as well. Duff is not an actress but she has a winning personality and she makes a lovely Cinderella, sensitive, smart, honorable, and devoted. She knows what she wants and is willing to sacrifice her present happiness to get it.
The always-welcome Regina King is a pleasure as the godmother-equivalent who provides more than a dress, and Jennifer Coolidge (Best in Show) makes the most of a one-note character as the evil step-mother, especially when explaining that her serene expression is the result of Botox. Austin's efforts to find his Cinderella and Sam's struggles with Fiona go on longer than they should, but there is an old-fashioned happily-ever-after ending for everyone who deserves one, especially the girls in the audience.
Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros., Director: Mark Rosman
Run time: 95 minutes
Theatrical release: 7/16/2004, DVD release: 10/19/2004
MPAA Rating: PG for mild language and innuendo
Run time: 95 minutes
Theatrical release: 7/16/2004, DVD release: 10/19/2004
MPAA Rating: PG for mild language and innuendo
Our Members Say
See all 39 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
O.K.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
it was good
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
a classic
I say great show the actors did a good job and i loved how they did such a good reenactment of a classic
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
My favorite romance.
This is definately my favorite movie. It's very touching and gives a good message. To me it seems like it wouldn't be a good movie for kids 6 and under, since it's more of a romance. It doesn't have lots of good role models except for the main character, because there are some mean girls that give her a hard time.
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Good for the family
This is a great family movie good for everyone in the family. There are some bad influences with some mean girls but otherwise there is nothing parents have to worry about.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
e.g. You should think twice before going with a tween!
THIS movie is all age appropriate i dont know what you somokin!
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
antonia's review
i think this film is relly good and u put a lot of evert in it as i can see this is the only and the best hairy duff film i have ever seen but i am going to watch more i promise. i bet lots of over people will be voting some good some bad my dad thinks it is a load of rubish but i do not care wat he thinks because it is about kissing and that and he does not lyk that stuff hah
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
I love this movie
It has everyday problems with caty girls in school. Ot sends a great message which is to be true to yourself.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Great Movie
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
My daughter loved it!
The only question my 6.9 year old asked was where did the dad go?. The fact that the father died is more up front than in other "Cinderella Stories."
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
It was FUNNY
I think that it was GOOD because it had HILLARY DUFF as the star! I also think that it was CUTE because it was FUNNY! The step-mother made the movie FUNNY!
IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
I really liked this movie
I liked this movie because it was interesting. It's about a girl whose mother died when she was very young, and whose father married again to a very nasty woman. When he died, the girl (whose name was Samantha) was treated very badly by her stepmother, and made to work in a diner. She has a secret admirer who she communicates by email with. Her secret admirer doesn't know who she is, and she doesn't know who her secret admirer is. A Halloween dance is coming up, and her secret admirer says he'll meet her there. Her stepmother forbids her to go and says she has to stay and work in the diner, but Sam goes anyway, with a mask on. The story is about what happens when she finds out who he is, and when he finds out who she is. It is a little sad, and I cried when the girl's father died.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
i laughed, i cried, i puked.
A Cinderella Story was so stupid that i almost fell asleep. Don't waste your money on seeing this movie.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
I loved it!!
IT WAS One of the best movies i have ever SEEN!! it was awesome!! ages 8+ though. not really pg.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
not bad
this is a great movie for kids and teens my mom said this movie was cheezy but i think it is a great movie i'm not a hillary duff fan at all but she did preaty good in this movie
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
good movie
i like this movie it is a little sad when the cheerleaders make fun of Sam at the pep rally. Chad Micheal Muray is soo hot!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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