One of two movies this year dealing with a retelling or modernization of the Snow White fairytale (and the only one I’ve seen to date), Mirror Mirror doesn’t disappoint in spite of its lack of bite.
Synopsis: Snow White’s father dies shortly after remarrying and the new Queen takes over the rule of the land. Soon, all cheerfulness dies out and is replaced by a perennial winter. When Snow White turns 18, she’s cast aside by the Queen, fearful of what her coming of age might mean for her rule. In the woods, Snow White meets a band of dwarves who also were cast out. Together they set out to right some wrongs.
Julia Roberts was a big motivation to go see this movie, but I was still fearful that it might be horrible. Thankfully, it isn’t. The story is tweaked just enough to give it a fresh spin and some well known aspects are expanded upon (like the Queen’s interactions with the famous Mirror on the Wall). Armie Hammer as the valiant Prince is a very welcome addition…
The Bottom Line: While quickly forgotten and worthy only of a casual viewing, Mirror Mirror isn’t disappointing and has some true moments of fun. What I found garish, however, came at the end. The director is of Indian origins and evidently felt the need to infuse the movie with a Bollywood feel to perhaps accustom American audiences to the typical sounds of an Indian movie. To this end, the classic pop tune that often accompanies the end credits is the typical fare you’d expect in a Bollywood movie, which clashes gratuitously with the style of the movie up on the screen and what we’ve seen and heard up to that point. Honestly, to see the characters, with their ball gowns and formal attire, swing around to sounds you probably hear all over Calcutta, wasn’t flattering to them or the production.
Grade: 6
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