A Cinderella Story has all the ingredients of a perfect chick flick and here they are:
1. Featuring the always-relatable Hilary Duff, and everyone’s favorite 2004 stud Chad Michael Murray, it gives you a dream couple to root for.
2. It takes place in L.A. providing a scenic backdrop to what we can only assume will be a love story, as it must have romance to even qualify as a chick flick.
3. There are just enough villains to make it interesting, from the evil stepmom and the wacky stepsisters to the stereotypical head cheerleader, Shelby.
4. The comedy. While this isn’t necessarily a requirement for chick flicks, it sure makes them a lot more fun and with Rhonda’s sass, there is plenty of comedy.
5. Did I mention Chad Michael Murray? Okay, just making sure.
6. Furthermore, it takes place at Halloween when you can be anything you want for one night, and they take full advantage of that… leading to the cutest dance scene ever. (@Twilight Producers, we know you stole that lit gazebo scene from this movie—don’t you dare think we didn’t notice.)
7. The dorky but lovable best friend. Every chick flick has this guy in there. You never know if he’s going to be the one they end up with, but he always adds to the movie. Carter makes no exception to this rule and plays the best friend role candidly and hysterically.
8. The fact that the Sam is a strong character. She’s far from perfect, but she embraces who she is, and doesn’t let people take her for granted. Girl power is crucial to any and all chick flicks. (The scene when she tells Austin off in the locker room will get you on your feet clapping, shouting preach girl, PREACH!)
9. The scene that ruined expectations for girls everywhere. ***SPOILER ALERT*** You know that moment, when star quarterback Austin runs off the field mid game to catch Sam before she leaves, and it finally rains and he confesses his feelings and they have the perfect kiss, and you’ve fainted because it’s too perfect and your chick flick seeking heart can’t handle it… Yeah, that’s the scene I’m referring to, and it sucks because it ruined expectations for girls everywhere. You can’t compare every guy to the Austin Ames version, because as great as this ending is, it’s a fairy tale. 9 times out of 10, that’s not how things go, but you shouldn’t let that keep you from trying.
10. The best line of the movie that keeps you going despite the issues with the above-mentioned scene: “Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game.”
RT, A Cinderella Story, RT.