Godmothered premiered on 4th December 2020 on Disney+. Directed by Sharon Maguire, written by Kari Granlund and Melissa Stack, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures and The Montecito Picture Company. The 113-minutes-long film stars Jillian Bell, Isla Fisher, Jane Curtin, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Jillian Shea Spaeder, and Willa Skye alongside other cast members.
Godmother Trainee!
Disney has told us that there are princess trainees, secret-society trainees, fairy trainees, and more but little did I know that in the world of Disney and fairies even the respected and high positioned Fairy Godmothers need to undergo training and schooling! In the magical and old world called The Motherland is the Godmother training school where a godmother-in-training named Eleanor is scared and sad as her school is in danger of closing down and she is not even a Godmother yet!
With a heart full of determination to save the place and to make everyone believe that they are still needed, Eleanor seeks out to help Mackenzie Walsh, a single mother of two, find her happily ever after as she herself struggles to adjust to the human world and spells. Eleanor and Mackenzie then embark on a journey of self-discovery and redefining the idea of happily ever after and true love!
There is no doubt that Godmothered and Disney’s 2007 film Enchanted share some similarities in terms of their overall idea. Additionally, the film will also remind you of Cinderella in terms of Godmother turning fruits and animals into carriage and carriers. The film is not something that will leave an everlasting impression on you like Frozen or Maleficient but is definitely a good-watch and that is mostly because of commendable performances and able direction that does not let the storyline go downhill anywhere.
The film tries its best to redefine the idea of true love and says that happily ever after is not a prince charming but could be anything as love comes in various shapes and forms. If you have heard Mad At Disney by Salem Ilese you have a fair idea about how everyone has been talking about the false idea that Disney portrays, misleading the younger generation and, willingly or unwillingly, Godmothered tries to steer away from it but still holds to its Disney roots by giving it a happy ending.
There are ample tender and heartfelt moments here like the warmth, confidence, and comfort Eleanor brings for Mackenzie’s daughters Jane and Mia. However, the entire feeling and emotions are overshadowed by Eleanor’s zeal and the moment passes away in distraction with not enough time for you to soak in the emotions of the characters!
Summing up, Godmothered is not all sparkles and neither features overwhelming emotion or character growth as other Disney movies. There is no damsel in distress and neither is there any evil mother or enemy! It is simple and pure-hearted and does not run above its league or idea!
Stream It or Skip It
STREAM IT! Godmothered is different from our everyday Disney movies and borrows a few elements from here and there but overall the film makes up for a good 113-minutes of family, love, Christmas, magic, and warmth! Though the film hits a bumper in terms of it not looking as effortless as it should have but maybe that’s the reality. Nothing comes easy and life is a bumpy journey, even for Godmothers!
Godmothered is now streaming on Disney+.
Read our other reviews here.