Music of Hollywood in the 21st century

Cinderella

Cinderella is a 2015 family fantasy movie directed by Kenneth Branagh and written by Chris Weitz. The movie portrays the story of an orphan girl who meets a beautiful prince at a gorgeous ball. Her life is a struggle, but her character proves that faith can make the dreams come true. The romantic image of the movie contains fairy-tale elements that are supported by eclectic melodies. They provide a unique rhythm to the familiar story of love and create a unique atmosphere of magical adventure.

The director of the movie follows the traditional plot of the tale. He illustrates a girl named Cinderella who has a pure heart and kind character. When her father died suddenly, she remains with her stepmother and her daughters. They start to exploit the girl. Once she rides into the woods trying to find the rest. She meets a young man who is willing to see her again. In fact, she encountered the prince whose parents organize the ball. However, Cinderella cannot go because the stepmother locks her in the attic room. Fortunately, the fairy godmother saves her. However, her magic spell does not last long, and Cinderella is forced to leave the ball. In the end, she and her prince live happily after the attempts of the stepmother to ruin her life. The music supports the flow of events and creates the allusion to future moments. It gives a dramatic background to the movie episodes and emphasizes their romantic notion. Every character is associated with certain musical patterns and melodies. It means that the film crew had adapted every sound in the movie to the characters, to their behavior, and to their nature. Music is extremely important for the creation of the required atmosphere. In fact, it sets the tone of the movie and allows to understand the genre of the drama.

Patrick Doyle, a great composer of the fairytale, created amazing musical support that made Cinderella even more romantic. His pieces touch the souls of the viewers. As a result, music impacts the perceptions of the audience and defines the importance of every scene. The music enchants with magical influence. Undoubtedly, visual and audio elements of the movie achieve absolute harmony representing vividly the emotions of every character. The music belongs to the style prevailed in the 19th century and supplements the costumes and design chosen to symbolize that period (Ciafardini, 2015). Variations and motifs of the melodies focus on different events of Cinderella’s life: the relations with her father, the first encounter with the prince, the magical transformations, and the dance with Cinderella. The music reflects the nature of the stepmother as well. It highlights the importance of the melody that Cinderella’s mom sang to her. On the one hand, the trials of the girl are supported by sad tones. On the other hand, romantic music creates the background for the scenes with the prince who is accompanied by fanfares. Moreover, the fairy godmother also receives charming sounds. Cinderella’s relationship with her biological parents has lyrical and soft sounds. Thus, music is an important factor to emphasize the emotions of the characters and to bring the catharsis to the audience.

The sound effects are stunning in Cinderella. They make it an emotional and inspiring movie. The waltz music at the ball, “La Valse de L’Amour,” is highly moving. It encourages to love and to pursue lifelong dreams. In addition, the playlist to the movie contains the track by Helena Bonham Carter, who plays fairy godmother. It forces us to act, to be alive, and to remain strong and faithful. Lily James’ song “Cinderella” reassures that dreams always come true. The song “Strong” written by Kenneth Branagh, Patrick Doyle, and Tommy Danvers and performed by Sonna Rele is pivotal because it boosts the belief in their own capabilities and personal strength. It shows how important it is to have courage and kindness in the heart. Additionally, some soundtracks first appeared in the 1950 movie: “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” and “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes.” The former song shows how the fairy godmother turns a pumpkin into a carriage, four mice into white horses, and a horse into a coachman. The second song proves Cinderella’s words about the high chance that dreams can happen in real life. Stepsister Drizella slightly ruins “It Was a Lover and His Lass” from Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It”. However, it gives lightness, joy, simplicity, and a sense of fun. It allows changing the feeling of time. Cinderella does not sing “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” in the 2015 movie. The song appears in the end. The full version of “Bibbity Bobbity” is also included only in the end credits. In fact, the 1950 movie contains more songs.

The first Cinderella film was animated in 1950 by George Melies. Before, Cinderella and other characters did not sing. She was silent. The emotions of heroes were only clear from the expressions on their faces. However, the film creators understood the importance of music for the general impact on the audience. The sounds of in the first movies emphasized either dramatic or comic events. Thus, a sound recording became a breakthrough for the film industry. In 1950, Cinderella obtained the voice. Her songs proved her hardworking, kind, and honest nature. In 1957, Cinderella appeared on television. The music became an essential part of the movie which characterizes the experience of main heroes and highlights the background of important events.

Music makes the movie memorable. It produces the feelings and thoughts and allows the audience to reflect on their emotions and desires. In fact, the music represents modern and past cultures influencing the perceptions of the story. The Cinderella movie (2015) is the combination of the traditional plot with a modern musical background that makes the film moving and appreciated by the present generation.