The trailer for this film looked beyond awful – one of the dwarves actually said “Snow who? Snow way!” I was willing to give it a chance, however, as The Fall’s trailer was terrible but the film was great. Apparently Tarsem Singh’s films don’t trailerise well. In actuality this reimagining of the Snow White tale is stunningly beautiful, frothy and fun.
Snow White (Lily Collins) has been held prisoner in her own castle by her wicked stepmother (Julia Roberts). When she falls in love with a handsome prince (Armie Hammer) that the queen wants for herself, she is banished into the woods. There she meets seven bandits of restricted growth who show her how to fight for her kingdom.
The storyline is quite simple and although it deviates from the original (Snow White sword fighting etc.), it doesn’t feel revolutionary in any way. What it is, however, is enjoyable, with good performances and a script full of nice touches. Julia Roberts is deliciously over the top, Lily Collins is cute as a button and Armie Hammer is suitably pompous and dimwitted. Nathan Lane also does a good little turn as the evil queen’s henchman, and it is nice to see Danny Woodburn (Mickey from Seinfeld) as one of the dwarves.
What really makes the film special, though, is the art direction and the costume design in particular. This was designer Eiko Ishioka’s final film, and she managed to surpass her work on Singh’s The Fall. All the clothes are exquisite – the massive dresses are sumptuous and detailed, in rich colours.
Mirror Mirror won’t change your life, but for all little (and big) princesses out there it is a delightful confection.
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