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Press - 2005
Film Review: 'Ice Princess'
A teen inspirational dramedy about a high school physics nerd who follows her
dream of becoming a figure skater, "Ice Princess" proves that it's still
possible to teach an old formula a few new tricks.
Thanks to an insightful script (credited to Hadley Davis), a light but assured
directorial touch (by England's Tim Fywell) and especially to a delightful title
performance by Michelle Trachtenberg, this Cinderella tale of female empowerment
remains engaging while not always having pretty things to say about
mother-daughter dynamics and competitive sports.
The Disney picture should handily score a direct hit to its targeted young
female demographic as well as striking a chord with their big sisters, moms and
aunts.
Making the klutz-to-lutz transition with crowd-pleasing appeal is Trachtenberg's
Casey Carlyle, a brainy but unpopular high school student whose academic, single
mom (the always splendid Joan Cusack) envisions a Harvard education for her
daughter.
But when a science class report on the physical dynamics of figure skating
provides Casey with a rink-side view into the rhinestone-studded world of axels
and salchows, she decides to pursue a secret childhood fantasy.
That is, if she's able to survive Tina Harwood (Kim Cattrall), a tough-as-nails
coach and former ice princess herself, not to mention fiercely determined skater
mom to Gen (Hayden Panettiere), a championship contender who'd rather live the
life of an average teenager.
Helping through those inevitable tough patches is Gen's sympathetic brother,
Teddy (Trevor Blumas), who serves as Casey's handsome prince riding in on a
trusty Zamboni.
In short, "Ice Princess" doesn't break a sweat trying to reinvent the wheel, but
it goes to show how effective the original model can be when there are skilled
operators involved.
Fywell, who made his feature directorial debut with "I Capture the Castle,"
keeps the elements running smoothly and efficiently, working from a knowing
script by "Dawson's Creek" and "Spin City" writer Davis, who also shares story
credit with "The Princess Diaries" author Meg Cabot.
Key to the success of the film is the tricky dynamic among Trachtenberg, Cusack
and Cattrall that adroitly manages to avoid falling into one-dimensional
good-vs.-evil stereotypes.
Also helping to keep things real is the decision to cast as many professional
skaters as possible in the roles of Casey's contemporaries, with Kirsten Olson,
Juliana Cannarozzo and Jocelyn Lai proving to be as confident in front of the
camera as they are on the ice.
Technical contributions are equally well executed, highlighted by
cinematographer David Hennings' ("Blue Crush") propulsive camerawork and
choreographer Anne Fletcher's colorful, far-from-routine routines.
Cast: Joan Carlyle: Joan Cusack; Tina Harwood: Kim Cattrall; Casey Carlyle:
Michelle Trachtenberg; Gen Harwood: Hayden Panettiere; Teddy Harwood: Trevor
Blumas; Nikki: Kirsten Olson; Nikki's Mom: Connie Ray; Zoey: Juliana Cannarozzo;
Tiffany: Jocelyn Lai.
Director: Tim Fywell; Screenwriter: Hadley Davis; Story: Meg Cabot, Hadley
Davis; Producer: Bridget Johnson; Executive producer: William W. Wilson III;
Director of photography: David Hennings; Production designer: Lester Cohen;
Editor: Janice Hampton; Costume designer: Michael Dennison; Music: Christophe
Beck.
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