Into the Woods

Author(s): Michael

Location: Oklahoma

"Into the Woods"

Directed by Rob Marshall
Adapted by James Lapine
Costume Design by Sandy Powell
Art Direction by John Myhre and Nancy Haigh
Additional Music by Stephen Sondheim

Main Cast

Matthew Broderick- The Baker
Renee Zellweger- Baker’s Wife
Bernadette Peters- The Witch
Jaime Bower- Jack
Molly Shannon- Jack’s Mother
AnnaSophia Robb- Little Red Ridinghood
Amy Adams- Rapunzel
Patrick Wilson- Rapunzel’s Prince
Emmy Rossum- Cinderella
Hugh Jackman- Cinderella’s Prince/Voice of the Wolf
Victor Garber- The Narrator/Mysterious Man

Tagline: "This Christmas, Go To the Wood!"

Synopsis: Once upon a time, there lived a Baker and his wife who longed for a child. They soon come to find out that the only reason they don’t have a child is because the Witch from next door placed a spell on his family, because the Baker’s father had stolen things from the Witch while his wife was pregnant with the Baker’s sister, even though he had no idea he had a sister. That spell has left The Baker and his family barren forever. The Witch informs them that they may reverse the curse, but only by retrieving 4 things…

1. The Cow As White As Milk
2. The Cape As Red As Blood
3. The Hair As Yellow As Corn
4. The Slipper As Pure As Gold

They must go into the woods to find these things within 3 days, or they will be barren forever.

THE COW AS WHITE AS MILK: Jack is a sad young lad whose best friend is his cow Milky-White. So when his mother informs’s him that he must sell Milky-White at the market so that they can earn some money, Jack is deeply depressed. He starts off his journey into the woods and ends up trading Milky-White for 5 magical beans that take him on yet another expedition.

THE CAPE AS RED AS BLOOD: One day at her mother’s wishes, Little Red Ridinghood went to visit her Grandmother’s house because her poor old granny was sick in bed and needed a bit of company. In preparation for the visit she went to a Baker’s house and grabbed some bread and snacks for her sick old grandmother and headed off into the wood. While on the path, she encountered a Wolf who urged her to leave the path, but she kept on and headed to her Grandmothers house, where not everything was not quite right.

THE HAIR AS YELLOW AS CORN: Poor Rapunzel had been trapped in a big tower for as long as she could remember. She rarely had contact with the outside world and only had 1 visitor, The Witch, who was like a Mother to her. The Witch was nothing but nice to Rapunzel, but she always felt like there was something more. So when a handsome prince comes to the tower one day and see’s the beautiful maiden with the beautiful hair, he is determined to win her heart. However, love has a cost that may be to big for both of them to bear.

THE SLIPPER AS PURE AS GOLD: Cinderella parent’s died when she was a very young girl and she was forced to live with her Evil Stepmother and her two step-sisters, whom were not very kind to her. But, when all the maidens in the land are summoned to the King’s Festival to dance with the Prince, Cinderella is determined to fall in love with him during their brief time together. She soon escapes into the woods on her journey to the King’s journey.

They would all soon come to find, that getting what you want doesn’t always make you happy.

What the Press would say:

When Into the Woods opened on Broadway about 20 years ago; it was met with wide critical acclaim. So now it is no surprise that the film version directed by Rob Marshall is being hailed the Best Film of the Year. Filled with fun songs, exciting dances and a captivating story Into the Woods is the best movie musical to be released in a long time. Marshall has done a fantastic job directing the film and is his best directing to date. It is clear that he was extremely passionate about the movie and made every actor give everything that they had into the film. James Lapine who passed on directing the film wrote a delightful screenplay that is filled with wit, suspense, and entertainment. By far the best adapted screenplay of the year.

Matthew Broderick is delightful as The Baker and the center of the story. While, I don’t really find any of his previous works to be amazing, this really is and is a solid performance. Hugh Jackman is charming as prince charming and gives a first-rate performance as Cinderella’s cocky prince and as the devious Wolf. Straight from the original Broadway production, Bernadette Peters is breathtaking as the Witch. She is absolutely excellent as the character and even though the role is normally played younger, she really sells the change in the story. Her voice is as lovely as ever and the performance is Oscar worthy. Renee Zellweger shines as the Baker’s wife and gives her best performance since Marshall’s other musical film, Chicago. She is outstanding in the role and definitely a threat this awards season. Emmy Rossum does a superb job in the role of wishful Cinderella. She gives the best performance of career and keeps herself known in a cast of bigger names. Last and definitely not least, Amy Adams is absolutely brilliant as the childish Rapunzel and in her limited role steals the show. Her character matures so much throughout the film and she transforms so well. It really is a pleasure to watch her on screen and Sondheim even wrote a hilarious song to accommodate her beautiful voice.

The production aspects of the film are just as terrific as the performances given by the talented cast. The costumes are splendid and magnificently design by Sandy Powell. The sets are fabulous and really gorgeous. The additional music by Stephen Sondheim himself is exquisite and pleasing to the ear. In general everything about the film is first-rate and deserves a standing ovation. It truly is the best film of the year and so deserving of Best Picture this year at the Oscars.

FYC:

Best Picture
Best Director- Rob Marshall
Best Actor- Matthew Broderick
Best Actress- Renee Zellweger
Best Supporting Actor- Hugh Jackman
Best Supporting Actress- Amy Adams
Best Supporting Actress- Bernadette Peters
Best Supporting Actress- Emmy Rossum
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Original Song- “Happily Ever After” Performed by the Cast
Best Original Song- “My Own Tower” Performed by Amy Adams
Best Sound Mixing