The Princess Diaries (2001) Review

"The Princess Diaries" is the charming retelling of the often-told story of the ugly duckling who's turned into a swan. Anne Hathaway stars as Mia Thermopolis, a 15-year-old high school freshman living in San Francisco. She's a teen filled with typical teen concerns. She's having a hard time gaining acceptance from her peers. She can hardly wait to get her driver's license. Most importantly to Mia, she has a crush on Josh Bryant (Erik von Detten), the most handsome boy in her class. Her only friends in school are Lilly Moscovitz (Heather Matarazzo), and Lilly's brother, Michael (Robert Schwattzman), an auto mechanic and aspiring musician.

One day, though, Mia's mother, Helen (Caroline Goodall), gets a call from Mia's paternal grandmother, Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), asking to meet with her granddaughter. At first, Mia is upset, as her grandmother has done little to keep in touch. Clarisse, though, has not come simply to pay a social call. She has come with the bad news that Mia's father has died. Neither Clarisse nor Mia's parents, however, had never mentioned that Mia is also Amelia, Princess of a small European kingdom called Genovia. Although Clarisse's title in Genovia is Queen, she cannot assume leadership, for she married into the royal family. While Mia and Helen aren't fond of relocating, Helen believes it would be of benefit for her daughter to spend time with Clarisse and learn some refinement.

Mia gets etiquette lessons from Clarisse, and protection from Joseph (Hector Elizondo), the head of royal security. It is Joseph's primary responsibility to chauffeur Mia to and from school every day, and Queen Clarisse has ordered Mia not to share her royal lineage with anyone. However, a trusted stylist named Paolo (Larry Miller), reveals the regal secret for selfish gain. This revelation has the effect that Mia had wanted from the most popular students in her class, including Josh. Mia must also decide whether or not she wants to accept her title.

"The Princess Diaries," which is based on the novel by Meg Cabot, is enjoyable, but it is quite predictable. It has a few too many scenes of Mia being clumsy. The movie compensates for its typical approach by containing positive messages about family, friends, and loyalty. Along the way, Mia learns that some of the things she wants aren't really worth having. She also learns to not preoccupy herself with how thing affect her world. Some of the lessons come the hard way, such as the beach party where Josh invites Mia. Others come easier, such as Michael's offer to work on Mia's car for free so that she'll just have to pay for the parts. The film also has some moments of good-natured sweetness. When Mia and Clarisse are involved in an auto accident, Clarisse bestows royal titles on the authorities who investigate the incident.

"The Princess Diaries" also marked a welcome return to the big screen for Andrews, who had spent many years before this 2001 release working primarily on the small screen. Clarisse is dignified and proper, yet vulnerable, for she must learn how to be a grandmother while also trying to fulfill a royal mission. Hathaway is delightful as Mia, who learns more about herself than she ever expected. She absorbs her new lessons with a wide-eyed wonder and a sense of importance. Elizondo, who's lent support to many a film of "The Princess Diaries" director Garry Marshall, shows his usual reliable support. I like his reaction when Mia asks if she can call him Joey. He neither looks, nor acts, like he should be called something so juvenile. Matarazzo also gives strong support as the cynical, but faithful, Lilly. Pop singer Mandy Moore also puts in an appearance as head cheerleader Lana Thomas, and does a cover version of the Connie Francis hit, "Stupid Cupid."

"The Princess Diaries" is a bit far-fetched, but consistently fun. Its messages are of use to anybody, but especially to teenagers. Teens are filled with ideas of what they want to do with their lives, and coming to learn that the world is bigger than their family, friends, and interests. Not everyone can be royalty, but a girl learns that everybody deserves to be treated as if they were regal.

This review first appeared in slightly altered form on Epinions. The update also appears on Associated Content.