A Fresh New Latina Face for an Old Favorite Story
You Can’t Dance the Cumbia in Glass Slippers
Cinderella, starring Cuban-born pop singing sensation, Camilla Cabello, premiered on Amazon Prime Video to enthusiastic reviews and deservedly so. The “old gal” is given a much-needed facelift by writer, director, Kay Cannon (Blockers). This re-telling of Cinderella is infused with a much more modern, urban, hip sensibility of the oft-told fable. And the casting of Cabello in the lead role is the tasty frosting on an already delicious cake.
Cabello, like Cinderella, isn’t in the market for a prince to save her from her dreary existence. No, this Cinderella has dreams, ambitions and a mind of her own. Cannon also delights in poking fun at some of the well-known fairy tale conventions. In one scene Cinderella is being prepared by her Fabulous Godmother for the upcoming consequential royal ball played to hilarious campy effect by Billy Porter (Pose). Cinderella is asked if she is anxious to meet her future prince charming, Nicholas Galitzine (High Strung), at the ball. This Cinderella is a little ambivalent but is more concerned by the prospect of having to wear uncomfortable glass slippers. Any Latina worth her salsa knows you can’t do a decent cumbia in a pair of uncomfortable glass slippers.
The story narrative in Cinderella is frequently told in song and the dance sequences that seem to explode out of nowhere into beautifully costumed jailbreaks are reminiscent of Lin Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights. The exuberant spontaneous staging of the musical numbers is evocative of the best of Bollywood films.
The first-rate costumes, set designs, music score and cinematography make Cinderella a delectable treat of sights and sounds.
She’s Ready for Prime Time
Prior to her starring role in Cinderella, most of Cabello’s work in front of the camera was in her short music videos. These well-produced videos often featured scenes that show Cabello’s natural comic acting talents. Talents well-suited for a TV sitcom. It’s not too much of a stretch to imagine Cabello being the star of her own TV sitcom in the near future.
Cabello’s unquestionable talent as a singer and actor will result in the story of her career having a happy, successful fairy tale ending of her very own.
A Second Look at “Once Upon a Time”
The success of this retooling of Cinderella should cause producers to take a second look at other beloved fairy tales that could be redone with an added tongue-in-cheek Spanglish twist.
Here are a couple of my suggestions of a “second look” at the “once upon a time” movie magic that Hollywood could turn into highly entertaining content. With Mexican-Americans making up 66% of the U.S Latino population, these are sure to be major hits.
Little Red Low-rider Hood
Starring: Bad Bunny, Pitbull
Synopsis: Two rival low-rider car clubs in East San Jose vie for asphalt jungle, boulevard supremacy in their barrio through a show-stopping, car-bopping series of high-octane, joyous, life-affirming musical singing numbers and spontaneously erupting, street-filled, seemingly chaotically choreographed dance sequences.
Goldilocks and the Three Bros
Starring: Shakira, Los Lonely Boys
A beautiful Mexican girl from Tijuana joins a Boyle Height Chicano boy band. Together they vie for Latino Rockband supremacy in their barrio against other bands through a show-stopping, be-bopping series of high-octane, joyous, life-affirming musical singing numbers and spontaneously erupting, street-filled, seemingly chaotically choreographed dance sequences.
The Empanadero’s New Clothes
Starring: Enrique Castillo
Synopsis: A humble, Laredo baker, Chano Pintor, purchases a classic, 1940’s-era zoot suit in a vintage clothing store for a Halloween party. When he puts it on he discovers it gives him superhero powers. Chano uses these newfound powers to battle the gang bangers and drug cartels plaguing his barrio through a show-stopping, head-bopping series of high-octane, joyous, life-affirming musical singing numbers and spontaneously erupting, street-filled, seemingly chaotically choreographed dance sequences.
Cinderella is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video and stars: Camilla Cabello, Billy Porter, Nicholas Galitzine , and Idina Menzel
Featured Photo Credit: Amazon