Mirror Mirror (2012)
Certified: U
Duration: 106 minutes
Directed by: Tarsem Singh
Starring: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, Sean Bean, Mare Winningham, Michael Lerner, Robert Emms, Mark Povinelli
KRS release
Lily Collins plays Snow White, a princess who is a captive in her own kingdom, one which is nevertheless dominated by her stepmother, the Evil Queen (Julia Roberts).
Everyone is afraid of her and Snow White’s only solace is found in her servant Margaret (Mare Winningham). The Evil Queen hates Snow White for her beauty and for being so good and liked by all.
Things get complicated when Prince Alcott (Armie Hammer) comes along. He is not only dashing but also wealthy. The Evil Queen wants him for herself but he has seen Snow White and is now smitten with her.
Thus the Queen commands Snow White be taken from the castle to the forest and killed. Brighton (Nathan Lane), who is supposed to carry out the deed, cannot go through with it and sets her free.
Snow White ends up joining seven thieving dwarfs with whom she will draft a plan to regain possession of her kingdom and oust the Evil Queen.
Mirror Mirror is a beautiful offering. Tarsem Singh continues in his tradition of presenting dazzling and mesmerising pictures. His previous cinematic efforts, such as The Cell and The Fall, were over-the-top in wild visions. This time around he is dealing with a family film for the first time and opts for a bright tone, a sophisticated fairy tale-like vision.
The visuals make it seem as though this movie were concocted in a land over the rainbow. Besides, the film mixes fantasy and comedic elements to bring about a very different picture.
Lily Collins, daughter of Phil, is pleasing to the eye in an Audrey Hepburn way but she ends up competing for attention with the sumptuous costumes she dons.
Julia Roberts is the film’s delight. She mixes elements of menace with sly wit and a grin that would freeze anyone. Was it that long ago that this actress has played Pretty Woman?
Here she shows that there is more to dominating the screen than simply youth.
Meanwhile, Armie Hammer delivers a dashing prince charming quite well.
In June we will be seeing a darker adaptation of this Grimm fairy tale in Snow White and the Huntsman that stars Kristen Stewart. The stakes are out with regards to which film will win at the box office, however, Mirror Mirror will probably end up looking the fairest one of all as it boasts excellent production design.
The costumes are amazing and breathtaking; just take a look at a game of live chess to see what I’m talking about.
This film is first and foremost about style, elegance and beauty; Mirror Mirror reflects all this and more.