A Cinderella Story
Routinely exploited by her wicked stepmother, the downtrodden Samantha Montgomery is excited about the prospect of meeting her Internet beau at the school's Halloween dance.
Critics Sentiment
Sam confronts Fiona and quits the diner job
Shelby and twins expose Sam as Cinderella in cruel skit
The film plunges from the romantic Halloween dance peak to the cruel pep rally humiliation, dropping 4 points as Sam goes from fairy tale magic to public shame.
A Cinderella Story follows a predictable but emotionally satisfying arc that starts moderately, peaks with the romantic Halloween dance, crashes during Sam's public humiliation, then recovers strongly with her empowerment moments. While critics found the high school stereotypes tiresome and the plot formulaic, most appreciated Hilary Duff's earnest performance and the film's ultimate message about self-confidence, with the inspirational motto and Sam's final stand against her stepmother earning genuine praise.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 67
Hilary Duff
Sam Montgomery
Chad Michael Murray
Austin Ames
Jennifer Coolidge
Fiona
Dan Byrd
Carter Farrell
Regina King
Rhonda
Julie Gonzalo
Shelby Cummings
Lin Shaye
Mrs. Wells
Madeline Zima
Brianna
Andrea Avery
Gabriella
Mary Pat Gleason
Eleanor
Paul Rodríguez
Bobby
Whip Hubley
Sam's Dad
Kevin Kilner
Austin's Dad
Erica Hubbard
Madison
Simon Helberg
Terry
Brad Bufanda
David
J. D. Pardo
Ryan
Aimee-Lynn Chadwick
D.J.
Kady Cole
Caitlyn
Hannah Robinson
Young Sam
Crew
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