| The Princess Diaries | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Garry Marshall |
| Screenplay by | Gina Wendkos |
| Based on | The Princess Diaries byMeg Cabot |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Karl Walter Lindenlaub |
| Edited by | Bruce Green |
| Music by | John Debney |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 115 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $26 million |
| Box office | $165.3 million[2] |
The Princess Diaries is a 2001 Americancoming-of-agecomedy film[3][4][5] produced byWalt Disney Pictures, directed byGarry Marshall, and written by Gina Wendkos. Based onMeg Cabot's 2000young adult novelof the same name, it starsAnne Hathaway (in her film debut) andJulie Andrews, with a supporting cast consisting ofHéctor Elizondo,Heather Matarazzo,Mandy Moore,Caroline Goodall, andRobert Schwartzman. The plot followsMia Thermopolis (Hathaway), a shy American teenager who learns she isheir to the throne of a European kingdom. Under the tutelage of her estranged grandmother (Andrews), the kingdom'sreigning queen, Mia must choose whether to claim orrenounce her title.
Feeling confident about the novel's film potential, Cabot's agent pursued producerDebra Martin Chase about adaptingThe Princess Diaries into a feature-length film, which shepitched to Disney upon reading the book. After obtaining thefilm rights, Disney originallygreenlit the project under the titleThe Princess of Tribeca, reverting it once its setting was changed from New York to San Francisco, where the majority of the film wasshot between September and December 2000. Marshall agreed to direct because he found the story idealfamily entertainment. Despite having little involvement in the film's production, Cabot was consulted about various changes to its story and characters. Hathaway won the lead role over several established young actresses in her motion picture debut, while the film marked the end of Andrews's semi-retirement from acting and return to Disney films, her first sinceMary Poppins (1964).
The Princess Diaries premiered at theEl Capitan Theatre inLos Angeles on July 29, 2001, and was theatrically released in the United States on August 3. Asleeper hit, the film grossed $165.3 million worldwide, defying industry expectations as journalists had expected the film to underperform due to itsG rating and subject matter. It received mixed reviews for its plot and themes, though Hathaway's performance was praised. The film's success is credited with establishing Hathaway as abankable actress and reviving Andrews's film career. A sequel,The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, was released in 2004, and a third installment is in development.
Grove High School studentMia Thermopolis resides with her single mother, Helen, in a refurbishedfirehouse inSan Francisco. Unpopular among her peers, Mia suffers from afear of public speaking while harboring a crush on Josh Bryant, and is often teased by his popular girlfriend, Lana Thomas. Mia's only friends are social outcast Lilly Moscovitz and her older brother, Michael, who secretly harbors feelings for Mia.
Mia is invited to meet her estranged paternal grandmother, Clarisse, on a diplomatic visit to San Francisco. Mia learns that she is the sole heir to the small European kingdom ofGenovia, having inherited the position from her recently deceased father, Philippe. Clarisse is determined to make Mia into a refined princess so that she may one day rule the kingdom over which Clarisse currently presides. Overwhelmed by the discovery, Mia initially refuses until her mother convinces her to attend her grandmother's "princess lessons" based on the condition that she need not make her final decision until the Genovian Independence Day Ball in three weeks' time.
Mia receives a glamorous makeover and a limousine chauffeured by Joe, the queen's head of security and confidant, who becomes a father figure to her. Mia's transformation causes her schoolmates to treat her differently, while her increasingly hectic schedule strains her relationship with Lilly. To appease her best friend, Mia tells Lilly the truth and swears her to secrecy. However, the public soon learns that Mia is a princess after the secret is sold to the press by Paolo, the beautician responsible for Mia's makeover, and paparazzi begin to pursue her relentlessly. Although Mia embarrasses herself at her firststate dinner, Clarisse admits that she found her clumsiness endearing and suggests that they spend quality time together, canceling their lessons for the following afternoon. While bonding, Clarisse explains that although Mia's parents loved each other, they divorced amicably in order to pursue their own passions, Philippe remaining in Genovia to eventually become king, and Helen returning to America with Mia to offer her a "normal" childhood.
As Mia's popularity grows, Josh invites her to attend a beach party with him. Mia accepts, causing her to neglect Lilly and forget her plans with Michael. The paparazzi ambush Mia at the beach party. Josh publicly kisses Mia to get his15 minutes of fame, while Lana exposes Mia wearing only a towel; both photographs are printed in the newspaper the following day. Finding the photos inappropriate for a princess, Clarisse admonishes Mia for her behavior, after which a humiliated Mia promises to renounce her title. Joe reminds Clarisse that Mia is still both a teenager and her granddaughter, suggesting that the queen reacted too harshly.
After making amends with Lilly, Mia gets back at Josh during PE and finally stands up to Lana for bullying a schoolmate. Mia invites both Lilly and Michael to the ball but Michael declines, still heartbroken over Mia's initial dismissal. After Clarisse apologizes to Mia for scolding her, she states that Mia must publicly renounce the throne at the ball. Terrified by the prospect, Mia plans to take a trip to Colorado until she discovers a touching letter from her late father and relents. Mia's car malfunctions while driving to the ball, stranding her in a downpour until she is retrieved by Joe.
When they finally arrive, Mia, still wet and untidy from the rain, accepts her role as Princess of Genovia while Clarisse, Helen, and Lilly look on proudly. After changing into a gown, Mia accompanies Clarisse into the ballroom where Michael, who has accepted Mia's apology, invites her to dance before proceeding to the courtyard, where they confess their feelings for each other and share their first kiss. In the final scene, Mia travels to Genovia in a private plane with her pet cat Fat Louie, and writes in her diary that she plans to relocate to Genovia with her mother.
Order of credits adapted fromVariety magazine andTurner Classic Movies:[6][7][8]
The Princess Diaries is based on the 2000young adultnovel of the same name by authorMeg Cabot.[9][10] Cabot's agent believed the firstPrincess Diaries book showed promising film potential,[11] and pursuedDebra Martin Chase, who had recently produced the television filmRodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997), about adapting the novel into a film due to the story's shared "rags-to-riches" and "Cinderella-type" themes.[12] Having enjoyed the book herself, Chase convinced Disney to adapt it into a feature-length project.[12] Disney chairmanPeter Schneideroptioned the project in an "effort to re-establish the Disney brand for live-action family films".[13] Disney paid Cabot $4,000 for thefilm rights,[11] although some media outlets reported that Cabot had been offered "mid- to low-six figures".[11][14][15] Cabot recalled that Disney's decision to adaptThe Princess Diaries resulted in a promotion at her own job, prior to which publishers had been unwilling to publish her novel due to concerns that some of its content was inappropriate for young readers.[16]HarperCollins showed interest in Cabot'smanuscript in 1999, followed by Disney shortly afterward.[17]
By August 1999, the film wasgreenlit by Disney who agreed to produce it with singerWhitney Houston's BrownHouse Productions,[15] and Cabot's manuscript was forwarded to potential screenwriters.[14] Chase developed the script with screenwriter Gina Wendkos.[18] Although Cabot did not write the screenplay herself, she discussed changes deemed necessary for translating the story from page to screen with Chase,[17] maintaining that "The essence of the story, or the message, of staying true to yourself ... still comes through".[17]Garry Marshall was enlisted as director, with Houston and Chase producing alongside Mario Iscovich.[18] Marshall had already beenpitching ideas to Disney executiveNina Jacobson before he was hired.[18] He foundThe Princess Diaries ideal family entertainment, and was particularly drawn to the idea of "a young girl turning into a woman and realizing that she can have a positive effect on the world",[18] hoping it would appeal to girls, boys and adults.[19] Furthermore, the director admitted to being fond of "femalewish-fulfillment and empowerment movies".[20] However, Marshall nearly turned down the film due to atypo in its originaltreatment that read "The PrincessDairies",[21] prompting him to mistake it for a movie aboutcows.[18][20]The Princess Diaries was Houston's firstfeature film production venture,[22] and her studio's second film afterCinderella.[23] Houston and Chase hoped thatThe Princess Diaries would be BrownHouse Productions' first in a series of female-led wish-fulfillment films,[24] originally planning to remake themusical filmSparkle (1976) as a follow-up.[25] Chase recalled that, at the time, Hollywood believed that while girls would willingly see a film intended for boys, it was difficult to convince boys to see a female-oriented film, but were encouraged by the success of Disney'sThe Parent Trap (1998).[26]
The Princess Diaries was optioned to challenge the belief that children were losing interest inlive-action films targeted towards girls, and Marshall was hired specifically to make aG-rated film "edgy and crazy and maybe something the adults will like".[13] The film differs considerably from the novel. Initially intended to be set in New York like Cabot's book, the film was originally calledThe Princess of Tribeca.[27] The title was reverted once the setting was changed to San Francisco, California,[28] a decision Marshall made because the latter is home to both himself and his granddaughters, to whom the film is dedicated.[11] Although Mia and Lilly remainenvironmentally andpolitically conscious, the filmmakers softened some of the more political aspects of their personalities to prevent the film from resembling "a politicaldiatribe".[24] Some aspects of the script were inspired by Cabot's own childhood, particularly when her mother began dating one of her teachers shortly after her father's death.[29] Despite being consulted about such changes, Cabot distanced herself from the creative process to avoid compromising her vision for future novels,[16] preferring that the book and film exist in separate universes.[11] Cabot maintains that she had little creative input in the film,[30] elaborating, "I don't think Garry Marshall needs 'help' to make a movie… from a novelist who has absolutely no experience in film-making."[11][31] Although Cabot admitted that Disney consulted with her before making changes, she described their conversations as more informative than collaborative.[11] Cabot acknowledged the challenge of adapting a 300-page novel, which she had written in the form of a diary, into a 90-page screenplay but was ultimately satisfied with the final results and Marshall's direction.[32][33][16]
Chase decided that the main cast's ethnicity would remain faithful to the novel because Mia and Clarisse rule a European country, and the producer preferred to "make good movies" as opposed to onlyAfrican-American films.[24]Anne Hathaway was cast in the lead role of Mia Thermopolis afterJuliette Lewis turned it down.[28] Aged eighteen at the time,The Princess Diaries was Hathaway's first major film role, for which she auditioned during a 26-hourlayover in Los Angeles, California while traveling to New Zealand to filmThe Other Side of Heaven (2001).[27] Her only prior acting credit had been in the short-lived television seriesGet Real.[34] Hathaway recalled that she fell out of her chair out of nervousness, and her inherent clumsiness is credited with impressing Marshall.[27][35] Several established young actresses had been considered for the role, includingReese Witherspoon,Kirsten Dunst,[36]Natalie Portman,Alicia Silverstone,Jessica Biel,Claire Danes,[28]Kate Hudson,Cameron Diaz,[37]Drew Barrymore,[30]Sarah Michelle Gellar,Brittany Murphy,Katie Holmes,Christina Applegate,Kate Beckinsale andEva Mendes,[38] whileLiv Tyler was deemed afront-runner.[39]Christy Carlson Romano was unable to audition due to scheduling conflicts while filming theDisney Channel seriesEven Stevens.[40][41] Marshall's granddaughters ultimately convinced the director to cast Hathaway over Tyler because they felt that she possessed the more "princess-like hair".[29] The actress was cast based solely on her audition, without performing ascreen test.[28] Although Marshall believed several other candidates seemed capable of embodying Mia's comedic side, he felt only Hathaway possessed "the grace and authority" required to deliver the character's climactic speech.[42] Hathaway identified with her character's personality and struggles with self-confidence, drawing similarities between Mia's shyness and her own awkwardness in high school.[43][44] For Marshall, Hathaway's appearance and performance were reminiscent ofJulia Roberts, whom he had directed to great success in the romantic comedyPretty Woman (1990).[35] He described her as a fusion of Roberts, comedianHarpo Marx, and his own sister, actress-directorPenny Marshall.[18] Hathaway gained weight for the role to closer resemble "a regular teen".[36]
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Julie Andrews, who had beensemi-retired from acting at the time,[45] was cast as Clarisse Renaldi.[47] Marshall personally invited Andrews to discuss the film with him; she identified the director as "the hook" that ultimately convinced her to accept the role, having already been afan of his work.[48] She accepted solely based on her conversations with Marshall without reading the script.[49] AlthoughSophia Loren is rumored to have been offered the part,[50] Marshall insists that Andrews was the first and only actor he considered,[18][51] having been a fan of hers sinceBroadway'sMy Fair Lady (1956).[52] Known for portrayingnobility throughout her career,[49][53] Andrews incorporated knowledge she had acquired aboutEuropean royalty andBritain's royal family into her performance;[54][50]Elizabeth II herself had knighted Andrews aDame of the British Empire one year prior.[52] Marshall allowed Andrews significant creative freedom over Clarisse's portrayal.[49] Cabot was initially wary of Andrews's casting, fearing the actress was too kind to play such a stern character, but ultimately felt her portrayal possessed the necessary combination of regality and grandmotherly warmth.[32] Andrews also used the opportunity to mentor Hathaway,[55] although she maintains that the younger actress required very little training due to her natural instincts.[42]The Princess Diaries was Andrews's first Disney film sinceMary Poppins (1964), 37 years prior.[29][56]
Marshall castHeather Matarazzo as Lilly Moscovitz after casting directorMarcia Ross introduced them to each other, promising that Matarazzo was different from other actresses he had interviewed for the part.[57] Matarazzo participated in achemistry reading opposite Hathaway after auditioning for Marshall.[57] Although Hathaway believes the two actresses had met several times prior to filmingThe Princess Diaries, Matarazzo claims she does not remember meeting Hathaway before their chemistry reading.[57] The actress cites Marshall as her favourite director, whose positive energy she described as unrivaled by his peers.[57]Héctor Elizondo was cast as Joe, Mia's limousine driver and Clarisse's head of security.[58] Elizondo is known for appearing in all 18 films Marshall directed.[55] SingerMandy Moore was cast as Lana Thomas, her first credited film role.[59][60] Marshall was the first film director with whom Moore, sixteen years old at the time, ever worked, and appreciated that most of her co-stars were similar to her own age.[60]Robert Schwartzman was cast as Michael, Mia'slove interest and Lilly's brother. His real-life bandRooney has acameo appearance asgarage band Flypaper,[29] with Schwartzman playing their lead singer.[28] The musicians perform "Blueside", one of Rooney's original songs.[28] Schwartzman wanted to change his last name in the credits to Cage in honor of his cousinNicolas Cage, but the film'spromotional material had already been finalized.[30]The Princess Diaries remains Schwartzman's only major film role.[30]
Marshall cast several of his own family members in supporting and minor roles.[61] His daughter Kathleen plays Clarisse's secretary, Charlotte Kutaway. The character, whose surname is only revealed during the end credits, was named after how often she is used incutaway shots, and her role references the filmmaking technique of cutting away to someone whenever something goes awry.[62] Marshall's wife appears as a ball guest, while his twin granddaughters Lily and Charlotte, the same granddaughters who inspired him to cast Hathaway,[28] appear as a pair of schoolgirls asking for Mia's autograph.[61] Marshall himself has a brief cameo during the Genovian Independence Day Ball,[28] alongside sister Penny.[30] San Francisco MayorWillie Brown portrayed himself in a cameo appearance, during which he is briefly interviewed upon arriving at the same ball.[18]
Additional adjustments were made to the script once the cast was finalized. Marshall was constantly trying to make the film funnier because Disney had challenged him to incorporate humor into the G-rated project.[57][13] Marshall drew from experience writing for the family-oriented showsHappy Days andThe Odd Couple,[13] whosescripts he revisited for inspiration.[44] Matarazzo described the set as a collaborative and familial environment fostered by Marshall,[57] consisting of birthday parties for cast and crew members, including Marshall himself.[55][30]
Mia's grandmother, nicknamed "Grandmere" in the novel, is depicted as considerably kinder in the film.[32] Disney's decision to have Mia's father be deceased is among the film's most significant deviations from its source material, in which he is both alive and plays an integral role.[46] The producers decided tokill off Mia's father to expand Clarisse's role, for which they had wanted Andrews cast from the beginning.[46] Once she learned of Andrews' involvement, Cabot approved that Mia's father be eliminated, much of whose dialogue was re-written for Mia's grandmother.[46] Upon Marshall's request, Andrews suggested that the fictional country of Genovia be famous for its pears, after which the set was decorated withartificial pears and pear-shaped statues.[29] Marshall wrote Hathaway's childhood struggles with wearing aretainer into the film; the actress filmed a scene wearing the same retainer she had worn as a child.[37] Elizondo and Andrews campaigned for a romantic relationship between their characters, an idea that originated during a table reading in which the actors improvised saying "you're cute" to each other.[58] The actors improvised their dance sequence,[30] which Elizondo credits with developing his character.[58]
Marshall worked withLarry Miller, who portrays Mia's hair stylist Paolo,[63] to improvise humorous moments, such as shrieking upon seeing Mia for the first time and drawing his styling tools from his pockets as though they are pistols.[64] Wendkos said Miller's Paolo was deliberately written to be "over-the-top".[64] "Not you, I don't even know you", one of Matarazzo's most oft-quoted lines which she utters to someone while running down the street, was entirely improvised at the suggestion of Chase.[57] Joe recites "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" to Mia, a famous quote originally by former United States First LadyEleanor Roosevelt.[65] Mia recites one ofJuliet'ssoliloquies fromWilliam Shakespeare'sRomeo and Juliet, a deliberate reference to the fact that Hathaway shares her full name withShakespeare's wife.[39] Houston conceived the scene in which Mia smears her ice cream cone on Lana's cheerleader uniform.[66] Wendkos spent more effort revising Mia's makeover sequence than any other scene in the filming, wanting to achieve a "clearer progression from the ugly duckling to theingenue", as per Marshall's request.[64]
The film contains several references toPretty Woman,[39][63] another film directed by Marshall to whichThe Princess Diaries has often been compared.[39][47][67] In addition to sharing a "Pygmalion-esque transformation story", both films share several cast members,[47] including Elizondo and Miller.[68] Most notably, actor Alan Kent, portraying a waiter,[29] delivers the same line he once delivered to Julia Roberts' character inPretty Woman during the scene in which Mia accidentally breaks a drinking glass.[39]
The Princess Diaries was filmed on a budget of $26 million.[69][70]Principal photography took place from September to December 2000, although filming had originally been scheduled to begin one month before the novel was published.[17] It was filmed on Stage 2 atWalt Disney Studios in Burbank, California,[39] the samesound stage whereMary Poppins starring Andrews had been filmed during the 1960s.[29][24][71] The stage was later renamed the "Julie Andrews Stage" in honor of her work there.[29][71] Additionally, Marshall resided in the same house Andrews herself had rented while filmingMary Poppins,[28] having lived in the building since 1974.[24][52] Exterior shooting in San Francisco lasted two and a half weeks. The former Engine Company No. 43[72][73]fire station on Brazil Avenue in theExcelsior District served as Mia and Helen's home, with its interior recreated in the studio.[74][75][76][77][78][79][excessive citations] Mia'sprivate school, Grove High School, was represented byBob Lurie's recently vacated mansion and the rooftop of theHamlin School.[79] Thecable car accident was filmed atBroadway and Taylor Streets.[79] However, thebeach party sequence was filmed in Malibu;[80] the production designers decoratedZuma Beach to resemble San Francisco'sBaker Beach.[80]Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles, formerly theEdward L. Doheny Mansion, was used as the location for The GenovianConsulate.[28]
To help Hathaway feel more comfortable on set, many of its props belonged to the actress' family.[36] Mia's photograph of her late father is Hathaway's own father, Gerald Hathaway.[37][39] Gerald also briefly portrays the character during aflashback in which he writes a letter to Mia.[37] Mia's pet cat, Fat Louie, was portrayed by four different cats, one of whom was owned by Hathaway herself.[39] Each cat served a specific purpose: one was trained to be carried, another could sit still for long periods, a third was used for jumping and stunts, and the last—Hathaway’s—appears in the film’s final scene.[28] During thestate dinner in which a guest's arm catches fire, the fire was intended to be extinguished once the actor placed his arm in a nearby ice bucket. However, when the fire persisted, Hathaway panicked and doused it with a glass of water, an improvisation that was kept in the film.[81] Hathaway tripped and fell while filming a scene in which she is walking atopbleachers during the rain,[82] but continued to recite her lines as though nothing had happened.[29] Marshall found the unscripted incident funny and decided to retain it.[39][82] Matarazzo identified this as her favorite moment while filming.[57] While filming the final dance sequence, the crew played Madonna's "Like a Prayer" (1989) for the cast to dance to; multiple takes were required because the cast kept instinctivelylip syncing its lyrics.[28] The track was dubbed by a different song in the final edit.[28]
Costume designerGary Jones, who had worked with Marshall on prior films, was drawn toThe Princess Diaries due to the wide range of costumes required for its characters, describing the project as "a costume designer's dream come true".[18] Jones worked closely with Andrews to design Clarisse's costumes, drawing inspiration fromChanel,Bill Blass, andChristian Dior.[18] The gown Andrews wears to the state dinner was handmade in China, and is an homage to her role asMy Fair Lady'sEliza Doolittle.[18] Jones envisioned Mia as a character who is shy about her body at first, opting to dress her in layers consisting of long sleeves and loose-fitting garments.[18] The character'speriwinkle state dinner gown was inspired byVictoria, Crown Princess of Sweden,[28] with Jones describing the dress as an homage to theRenaissance period andRomeo and Juliet, accessorizing it with an 18-carat diamond ring.[18]
Both Hathaway and Andrews's tiaras were designed and custom-made for them, with the designers ensuring that both characters' crowns were appropriate for their age.[50] The tiara and jewelry Andrews wears during the final scene ofThe Princess Diaries consists of half a million dollars’ worth of diamonds, loaned to the production by jewelerHarry Winston,[28] with whom Jones worked closely to obtain several unique jewels.[18] A security guard followed Andrews at all times to both protect her and ensure all jewelry was returned at the end of each day.[50][52] Andrews's peachtaffeta ballgown was accessorized with a 100-carat necklace comprising four rows of diamonds.[18] Hathaway's tiara was considerably less expensive,[28] consisting ofcubic zirconia as opposed to authentic jewels.[37][83] The crowns and tiaras worn by both actresses are preserved by theWalt Disney Archives, into which they were inducted in 2016 to commemorate the film's 15th anniversary.[84]
Hathaway donned false eyebrows and a wig to make her character's makeover more dramatic.[36] Hathaway'shair piece was nicknamed "The Beast", while her eyebrows required one hour to apply;[39] each strand of hair was individually glued to her brow.[28] At times Hathaway was required to leave the set in full costume, claiming that she "never felt so alone in [her] entire life".[85]
Andrews explained that the film is as much "about what you are inside and the responsibility and just plain old hard work that goes into being a princess" as it is "about the trappings of being a princess".[50] Hathaway identified "remaining true to yourself" among the film's core values, describing Mia's transformation as both emotional andpsychological, in addition to physical.[18] Hathaway elaborated that, despite the makeover, her character most importantly learns that "life shouldn't be about what the rest of the world can do for her" but rather "doing everything in her power to help other people", emphasizing her emotional transformation over her physical one.[24] Chase regards the plot as an "empowerment story", identifying "the power to be anything that you want to be" as its core message.[24] Chase elaborated, "In the beginning, Mia looks in the mirror and doesn't think she's princess material at all" but ultimately "comes to believe that she is".[24] Houston echoed that being a princess "doesn't mean they have to come from royalty" but rather "how you feel inside about yourself it's how you treat yourself and love yourself that really matters."[18]Bustle contributor Veronica Walsingham wrote that the film explores feminism, identity, family, girlhood, and duty, believing thatThe Princess Diaries "is a feminist dream of fully developed female characters whose arcs aren't dependent on male characters", additionally passing theBechdel test.[86] A critic forTime Out wrote that the film discusses "responsibility,surrogacy, rites of passage and the value of friendship".[87] Writers forUSA Today noted that, despite being a comedy, the film contains deeper topics such as "familial bonds, self-worth and stepping out of your shell".[88]
Most of Marshall's films revolve around themes "of recognizing and embracing one's own unique qualities and gifts".[18]The Globe and Mail's Liam Lacey observed that the film adheres to a traditional fairy tale plot: "a fairy godmother, and the lowly girl who becomes a princess, complete with tiara, the dress and a plump frog to be transformed into Prince Charming".[89]The Princess Diaries has been noted to contain some romantic comedy elements.[90] The film has also drawn comparisons toPygmalion,[87][91] a play that provided the basis for the stage musicalMy Fair Lady, in which Andrews coincidentally played the role of Eliza Doolittle;[92] Mia has been compared to Eliza.[93] IdentifyingPygmalion as "the model for all subsequent dramas about the recreation ofsocial identity",The Guardian film criticPhilip French citedThe Princess Diaries as one of several "makeover drama[s]" inspired by the play.[92] Similarly,HuffPost contributor Matthew recognized the film among several "recent approaches" to thePygmalion story.[94] Jacobs Kristal Brent Zook ofThe Washington Post wrote that Clarisse "must ... remake the gawky girl into a vision of regal grace" in "true Henry Higgins fashion", a character fromMy Fair Lady.[24]The Seattle Times film critic Moira Macdonald joked that Andrews "play[s] Henry Higgins to young Anne Hathaway's Eliza".[95] Also writing forThe Washington Post, Michael O'Sullivan similarly observed that "Most of the comedy mileage comes from theMy Fair Lady scenario, in which Mia's initially frumpy appearance and klutzy manner are eliminated through a regime of industrial-strength cosmetology and boot camp-stylefinishing school."[96]
Nanciann Cherry, writing forThe Blade, reviewed the film as "no more and no less than a live-actionCinderella, all dolled up for the 21st century".[97] Amy Meadows, writing forThe Tech, remarked that the film would hold few surprises for anyone who has seenCinderella,My Fair Lady, or any other fairy tale.[98] The film's main characters react differently towards Mia's physical transformation; Lilly fears that Mia will abandon her, Michael's attraction towards her only grows, and Lana feels threatened by Mia's royal lineage and sudden popularity within her own school.[99] Some critics were concerned that the film's message might encourage younger viewers "that all awkward teens need do to find contentment is get a makeover and wait for a hitherto unknown royal grandmother to come lay a crown on their heads."[93]
Houston and BrownHouse Productions were heavily involved in curating music for the film, which Kristal Brent Zook ofThe Washington Post observed "displays more girl power and ethnic flavor than the film does".[24] Dawn Soler served as the film's music supervisor,[100] and Moore recorded a cover ofConnie Francis' "Stupid Cupid" for the soundtrack.[101] ComposerJohn Debney was recruited to score the film. Long-time friends with Disney executive Bill Green, Green felt that Debney would complement the film and personally recommended him to Marshall.[102] Debney identifiedThe Princess Diaries as one of the films he is most proud to have worked on, explaining that the project holds an "emotional connection" because it reminds him of his mother.[103]
Theofficial soundtrack was released byWalt Disney Records on July 24, 2001.[104] Described as largely a collection ofpop rock,teen pop, anddance-pop tracks,[104] the soundtrack features contributions from artistsBBMak,Aaron Carter,Backstreet Boys,Myra,Hanson andB*Witched.[86]AllMusic's Heather Phares reviewed that the album consists of mostly "slick, virtually interchangeable singles ... a few tracks, for better or worse, are particularly distinctive", and felt that the album could have benefited from more originality as the Backstreet Boys' track "What Makes You Different (Makes You Beautiful)" implies.[104] A soundtrack consisting exclusively of the film's orchestral score was released on December 11, 2001, credited to Debney.[105]
Disney attempted to market the film cleverly to dispel the stigma associated withG-rated films at the time.[106]The Princess Diaries premiered on July 29, 2001, at theEl Capitan Theatre.[107] Prior to introducing the film, Marshall encouraged audience members to chant "G is a good rating", deliberately referencing the lack of G-rated films released that year.[19] A princess-themedtea party was hosted following the screening, with cast members Andrews, Hathaway, Matarazzo, Moore, Goodall, Schwartzman, Von Detten and Burbano attending.[19] In addition to Jacobson, Disney executivesBob Iger, Richard Cook, Mark Vahradian, Chuck Viane and Oren Aviv were present, as well as actorsSpencer Treat Clark,David Hasselhoff,Jennifer Love Hewitt andMichelle Trachtenberg.[19] Additionally, the tea party featured appearances by actors portraying well-knownDisney Princesses, includingSnow White,Cinderella,Aurora andBelle.[19][108]
Disney postponed the release ofThe Other Side of Heaven, which Hathaway had filmed beforeThe Princess Diaries,[109] to allow the latter film to take precedence at the box office, feeling confident thatThe Princess Diaries' impending success would in turn bolster the performance ofThe Other Side of Heaven.[35]The Princess Diaries was released in theaters on August 3, 2001,[30] becoming a surprise success andsleeper hit.[39][110][111][112] The film opened in 2,537 theaters throughout North America[113] and earned more than $23.2 million during its opening weekend,[67] completing in third place behindRush Hour 2 andPlanet of the Apes.[114]The Princess Diaries achieved the second-highest opening earnings for a live-action G-rated film, behind101 Dalmatians (1996) at $33.5 million.[106] The film's box office returns surprised several commentators,[115] far exceedingpundits' expectations.[116] Analysts originally estimated that the film would earn between $13 and $15 million.[116]
The Princess Diaries was the only G-rated film released during summer 2001.[117] According to Breuse Hickman ofThe Honolulu Advertiser, the last live-action film to earn a G rating prior toThe Princess Diaries was Disney's101 Dalmatians in 1996, a live-action remake of their own1961 animated film of the same name.[106]ABC News believes that the comedy's strong opening numbers benefited from it being one of 2001's few G-rated releases amidst several of PG-13-and R-rated films, to which parents reportedly rushed to see with their children,[118] while Allen Wan ofMarketWatch joked that the family friendly rating "didn't scare off mature audiences".[116] However,The Dove Foundation argued that family fare such asThe Princess Diaries is typically 11 times more profitable than adult-oriented films, although 12 times as many R-rated films were released between 1989 and 2003.[119] Dove Foundation CEO Dick Rolfe received the film's release as "an experiment to test the waters to see if there is a market for truly wholesome family entertainment at the theaters".[106]The Princess Diaries ultimately grossed $165.3 million worldwide,[120] collecting $108.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $57.1 million in other territories.[2] The film's box office returns were deemed remarkably high considering the fact that its lead role was played by a newcomer. The film ranks among the highest-grossing and most profitable of 2001.[12]
To commemorate the film's 10th anniversary in April 2012,[50] the film was released onBlu-ray to coincide with Disney's National Princess Week and the release of Andrews's bookThe Very Fairy Princess: Here Comes The Flower Girl!.[49] A double-disk paired withThe Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, the release was sold exclusively atTarget.[49]
The Princess Diaries received mixed reviews from film critics upon release.[121][122][123][124] Review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes reports that 49% of 118 critics surveyed reviewed the film positively, with an average rating of 5.3/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "A charming, if familiar, makeover movie for young teenage girls".[125]Metacritic assigned the film a weighted score of 52 based on 27 reviews, indicating "Mixed or average reviews".[126] Ed Park, writing forThe Village Voice, reviewed the film as "a modest, enjoyable fairy tale that easily outcharms its animated stablemates of the past decade", the success of which he attributed to Hathaway and Andrews' performances.[127] CallingThe Princess Diaries "an ideal family film",Kevin Thomas of theLos Angeles Times commended Marshall's ability to "mak[e] make-believe seem real" while describing Wendkos' screenplay as "skillfully adapted" and praising Andrews's performance.[128] Film criticLisa Schwarzbaum commended Marshall for directing the film and its large cast "with avuncular affection and, by his standards, a minimum of court jestering", highlighting Andrews and Oh's contributions.[129]
Film criticMick LaSalle declaredThe Princess Diaries Marshall's best film and Andrews' best work in years, praising her sense of humor.[131]The Washington Post's Michael O'Sullivan said the film has enough material to entertain older audiences, despite its target demographic.[96] Robert Koehler ofVariety andThe Globe and Mail's Liam Lacey criticized the film for wasting the book's comedic opportunities by focusing on Mia's school and romantic relationships at the expense of her grandmother's training, but considered Andrews perfectly cast.[6][89] Loren King of theChicago Tribune praised the cast's chemistry and Andrews' performance in particular.[132] Branding the film "a surprisingly sophisticated comedy" that avoids common teen tropes, Asher Price, reviewing forThe Denver Post, enjoyed the training sequences but felt Mia's confidence is drawn solely from her physical transformation, describing the latter as "The only disturbing part of the film".[133]
Hathaway's performance was widely praised,[130][134] as was her chemistry with Andrews.[135] LaSalle said, "Hathaway is not a natural comic, but her acting has a truthfulness that givesThe Princess Diaries its emotional core", comparing her to actressAudrey Hepburn.[131] Asher Price, reviewing forThe Denver Post, lauded Andrews' contribution while calling Hathaway "a good match for" the veteran actress.[133]Elvis Mitchell, film critic forThe New York Times, found the film merely "blandly reassuring" but dubbed Hathaway "royalty in the making" and "a young comic talent".[136] However, Mitchell felt that her character becomes less interesting post-makeover, a sequence he predicted some viewers would find problematic.[136] Similarly,The Seattle Times' Moira Macdonald found Mia's "teen-queen makeover" superfluous, but said Andrews "tucks the film into hercarpet bag and walks away with it", crowning her "pure screen royalty".[95] Even most of the film's detractors praised Hathaway's efforts;[17] Christine Dolen of theMiami Herald felt the script "leaves much to be desired" outside of Hathaway'scomedic timing.[137] Several critics compared her to Julia Roberts.[43][67][89][95]
In negative reviews,James Berardinelli accused Marshall of exploring a predictable plot "in a thoroughly uninteresting way" by reducing its main characters to stereotypes.[138] Film criticRoger Ebert dismissedThe Princess Diaries as a predictable, poorly edited "swamp of recycled ugly duckling stories, with occasional pauses in the marsh of sitcom cliches and the bog ofIdiot Plots".[139]Stephanie Zacharek reviewed the film as "aggressively bland and inoffensive" to the point where "it practically recedes from the screen".[140] Zacharek is also one of the few film critics to deride the leads' performances, dismissing Andrews as "so shellacked and precise ... that it makes you want to run out of the theater and roll around in the dirt".[140]
The Princess Diaries won theYoung Artist Award forBest Family Feature Film - Comedy.[141][142] Debney's score won theASCAP Award for Top Box Office Film, one of three awards the composer received at the 17th Film and Television Music Awards ceremony.[143]Myra's song "Miracles Happen (When You Believe)" received anALMA Award nomination for Outstanding Song in a Motion Picture Soundtrack.[144][145] Casting directors Marcia Ross, Donna Morong and Gail Goldberg were nominated for anArtios Award for Feature Film Casting – Comedy.[146]
At theBroadcast Film Critics Association Awards,The Princess Diaries was nominated for Best Family Film - Live Action.[147][148] The film's trailer was nominated for aGolden Trailer Award for Best Animation/Family.[149] Makeup artistsHallie D'Amore and Leonard Engelma were nominated for a Hollywood Makeup Artist Hair Stylist Guild Award for Best Contemporary Makeup - Feature.[150][151] Hathaway received anMTV Movie Award nomination for Breakthrough Female Performance.[152][153]The Princess Diaries was nominated for twoTeen Choice Awards:Choice Movie: Actress, Comedy for Hathaway andChoice Movie: Comedy.[154][155]
The film was released in DVD and VHS on December 18, 2001.[156] The film was re-release in double DVD on August 3, 2004.[157][158] The film was released as part of a Blu-ray and DVD double feature withThe Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement on May 15, 2012.[49][159]
A sequel,The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, was released on August 11, 2004, with Marshall returning to direct,Debra Martin Chase andWhitney Houston producing, and Hathaway, Andrews, Elizondo, Matarazzo, and Miller reprising their roles alongsideJohn Rhys-Davies,Chris Pine andCallum Blue as new characters. There had been constant speculation about whether or not a third film would be released for several years.[37][160] Several cast members had expressed interest in returning for a third installment, particularly Hathaway and Andrews. In 2016, Marshall revealed that he had discussed the possibility of having a third film set in New York with both actresses. Interest had bolstered following Marshall's death in 2016, with Cabot revealing that a script for the third film already existed, indicating that the threequel would most likely be a tribute to Marshall.[161]
In January 2019, Hathaway confirmed there was a script being written for a third film and that she, Andrews, and producer Chase are on board.[162] However, Andrews said in a June 2022 interview that she felt a third film would be unlikely and too late, especially since Marshall had already died.[163]
On November 15, 2022, it was reported that Aadrita Mukerji was writing a script for a thirdPrincess Diaries film, as a continuation of the previous films.[164]Neither Hathaway nor Andrews had been confirmed to return.[164][165]In October 2024, Adele Lim was announced as director of a second sequel,The Princess Diaries 3, with Hathaway set to return and produce.[166]
Elite Daily contributor Alana Altmann described the film as "a bonafide fave of '90s and 2000s kids alike".[9] Writing for the same publication, Kristen Perrone called the film "an essential part of the childhoods of anyone who grew up in the early 2000s".[167] Andrews attributes the film's longevity to new generations re-discovering it approximately every seven years.[49] The actress believes the film continues to resonate with audiences due to its strong morals about responsibility, obligation, decency, growing up, and self-discovery.[49]Seventeen rankedThe Princess Diaries the 10th best "Best Teen Movies You Can't Grow Up Without Watching".[168] The scene in which Mia undergoes a physical makeover is one of the most famous from the film,[169] with several media publications ranking it among the greatest makeover sequences in film history.[170][171][172][173][174]E! contributor McKenna Aiello identified the montage as "the first scene that comes to mind" when rememberingThe Princess Diaries,[175] a sentiment with whichInStyle agreed.[176] Lauren Hubbard, writing forAllure, believes the film "may very well be one of the single greatest makeover movies of our generation", publishing a list of "11 Beauty Lessons We Learned fromThe Princess Diaries".[177]Cosmopolitan's Eliza Thompson wrote "Few makeover movies hold up as well asThe Princess Diaries".[57] Katie Rosseinsky ofGrazia credits the film with introducing "one of the best makeover sequences in teen movie history" while teaching "excellent life lessons".[178] Ranking it second,Her Campus hailed the scene as "the best teenage makeover ever".[179]Total Beauty ranked the montage ninth, dubbing it the "Best Hair Movie Makeover".[180]
Bustle writer Veronica Walsingham believesThe Princess Diaries' makeover sequence distinguishes itself from similar scenes because Mia undergoes a complete physical transformation, avoiding the trope of simply removing her glasses.[86]The Ringer placed the scene seventh on its "definitive" movie makeover ranking.[181] The sequence's popularity has resulted in makeover films becoming something of a trademark genre for Hathaway, whose characters have undergone similar transformations inElla Enchanted (2004),[182]The Devil Wears Prada (2006), andLes Misérables (2012).[180] Some media publications crowned Hathaway the "queen of makeover movies".[179][181] In herAllMovie biography of Hathaway, Rebecca Flint Marx said the actress "became a familiar face to millions of moviegoers" by proving her comedic timing inThe Princess Diaries, in turn opening "a number of doors" for herself as a leading lady.[183] Hathaway initially suffered from beingtypecast in "good girl" roles after the film's success,[29] which inspired her to pursue a variety of more serious, non-princess roles in subsequent years.[39][110][184] In 2018,Marie Claire rankedThe Princess Diaries Hathaway's second best film performance.[185] The websiteNewNowNext creditsThe Princess Diaries with beginning to establish Hathaway as agay icon, comparing her debut as a "reluctant princess" to that of actressAudrey Hepburn inRoman Holiday (1953).[186] The film is credited with reviving Andrews's film career and introducing her to a younger generation of fans,[187][188][189] rivaling her career-defining performances inMary Poppins andThe Sound of Music (1965) in terms of popularity.[190] The film's popularity is also credited with evolving Cabot from an author into a celebrity.[17] Cabot remarked that the novels had actually been intended for slightly older readers, but parents who saw the G-rated film would purchase the books for their 6-7-year-old children, unintentionally exposing them to teen content.[191]
The Princess Diaries is the work for which Marshall is best remembered amongmillennials.[88] When Marshall died in July 2016,[192] several cast members paid tribute to the late director online.[193] Following Marshall's death,The Daily Telegraph film criticRobbie Collin wrote thatThe Princess Diaries is "by no means a flawless movie", but rather "one from which a star was able to bounce out, eyes bright, teeth flashing and primed for adoration. Marshall’s films may never have made him a critical darling, but his best work thrived on smile power – on both the faces of his audience and cast."[194] When the film was released on Netflix in 2018, the streaming service tweeted their surprise at the revelation that Houston served as a producer on the film, inspiring several Twitter users to comment the same.[66] The film's popularity among audiences has since defied expectations initially indicated by its lukewarm reception nearly two decades after its release.[86] Observing that the film experienced arenaissance in 2018, Walsingham credits the film's resurgence to its release on Netflix and American actressMeghan Markle's marriage toPrince Harry,[86] whose narrative has been compared to Mia's role inThe Princess Diaries in the media, particularly the fact that Markle underwent "duchess training" for the title.[195][196]
THE PRINCESS DIARIES (2001) is a modern day coming-of-age Cinderella story
The Princess Diaries is a coming-of-age comedy
Disney's 2001 coming-of-age comedy
Gary Marshall is gonna direct but he lives in San Francisco and his grandchildren are living out there, and he's doing it for them really, so we have to move the set from New York to San Francisco.
Disney has paid mid- to low-six figures to option novelist Meg Cabot's book 'The Princess Diaries'
In fact, even critics who panned the film consistently praised the fresh-faced, fledgling actress
After years of speculation, director Garry Marshall recently confirmed that Hathaway is interested in reprising her role for a third film.
Hathaway's work and appearance in The Princess Diaries lead to comparisons to actress Julia Roberts for many filmgoers and critics
It seemed unfathomable that Julie Andrews would ever find another iconic role like the governesses in 'Mary Poppins' and 'The Sound of Music.' But she comes close as the dowager queen of the mythical Genovia in 'The Princess Diaries.'
Despite receiving mixed reviews, The Princess Diaries was a commercial success
While reviews were mixed, the film scored big with audiences, earning approximately $108 million at the box office.
Hathaway was widely praised for her performance.
made a star of Hathaway, who received widespread praise for her performance.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)It has one of the best makeover scenes of any teen movie
coming-of-age comedy
Andrews also won over new audiences with turns in projects like "The Princess Diaries" (2001)
It seemed unfathomable that Julie Andrews would ever find another iconic role like the governesses in 'Mary Poppins' and 'The Sound of Music.' But she comes close as the dowager queen of the mythical Genovia in 'The Princess Diaries.'
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