Royally Ever After

Royally Ever After is a 2018 romantic movie directed by Lee Friedlander. The film, set in the modern age, beautifully combines an everyday-girl's fairy tale dream with poignant themes of love, family, tradition, and the life-altering significance of simple decisions. The characters, brought to life by Fiona Gubelmann, Torrance Coombs, Barry McGovern, and other terrific actors, pursue a heart-rending journey of romantic trials and tribulations, balanced with a good dose of humor and feel-good moments, making the film superbly watchable for romance aficionados.

The plot of the film spirals around the life of Sara Dimarco (Fiona Gubelmann), an elementary school teacher and a hopeless romantic. She might be deemed ordinary, but her charm, grace, and effortless beauty capture the attention of those around her. Content in her simple life in suburban America, surrounded by a comfortable environment of her job, her loving father and caring friends; Sara’s life takes an unexpected twist when she falls in love with the charming and humble Daniel (Torrance Coombs).

Daniel, on the surface, reveals himself to be an ordinary English businessman. However, he is far from ordinary, for he is, in fact, Daniel Rochford - the Crown Prince of St Ives, a small European kingdom. When Daniel proposes to Sara, she is over the moon, knowing nothing of Daniel's royal bloodline. She says yes, and then Daniel reveals his real identity and the fact that he is next in line for the throne. This revelation throws Sara into a whirlwind of emotions as she realizes she's stepped into a dream she hadn't signed up for; a dream which takes her from cosy suburbia to the grandeur of European palaces.

The surprise engagement comes with all the royal protocols, rituals and duties, leaving Sara in a state of bewilderment and culture shock. The rigorous preparation for the royal wedding is a battle of nerves that tests Sara's resilience and adaptability. Moreover, the stringent traditions and uncanny royal protocols, coupled with intense scrutiny from royal advisors, press and public, add to Sara's daunting ordeal and make her question her decision.

Sara's struggle to fit into the royal world is further exacerbated by her interaction with Daniel's family, especially his strict and traditional father, King Edmond (Barry McGovern). King Edmond is firm about keeping around the prince only those who accept and adore the royal way of life. Being a man of tradition, he is hesitant about accepting Sara, who he deems unfit for his son. Thus, Sara has to find a way to win over her father-in-law-to-be while keeping her charming prince at her side.

Furthermore, the plot dives deeper into examining the trials of modern-day royalty. The constant scrutiny, the unending rumors and gossip, and the immense pressure of bearing the nation's hopes and dreams fall heavily on Daniel's shoulders. He battles with his duty towards his kingdom and his love for Sara, caught between his responsibilities as Prince and his desire for a simple, fulfilling life.

Royally Ever After cleverly underscores cultural importance, tradition, and the perils of being in the spotlight – magnified in direct proportion to the honours and wealth it brings. The characters portray a fine balance between the fantasy of royalty and the harsh realities that make this fantasy a demanding job. Yet, the film doesn't shy away from capturing the magic of royal grandeur.

Beautifully shot with sweeping views of the royal estates, arranged to echo their grandeur and prestige, and the contrastingly suburban scenes steeped in warmth and homeliness – Royally Ever After is not just a romantic fairy tale, it is also a fabulous showcase of set design and visual aesthetics.

Fiona Gubelmann brings life to Sara Dimarco's character with her effervescent screen presence and relatable performance. She strikingly portrays the transformative journey of Sara from a schoolteacher to a royal figure. Torrance Coombs, as Daniel, splendidly embodies the warmth, charm, and dignity of a prince torn between his royal obligations and his heart's desires. Barry McGovern, as King Edmond, perfectly encapsulates the stoic, traditionalist monarch with an unyielding sense of righteousness.

Royally Ever After is more than just another Cinderella remake. It's an endearing tale that encourages persistence in love, cherishes simplicity, and values understanding over judgment. It’s an ode to love that triumphs the clash of cultures and the contradiction between the modern and the traditional world, giving viewers a truly heartwarming experience.