Beastly (CBS Films)
Tale As Old As Time
Beastly is a modern take on the Beauty and the Beast story. Thanks to a simple script and two engaging performances by Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgins it is a movie worth seeing. The story never veers too far from the standard beauty and the beast legend so what happens is predictable, but still romantic to its core.
Kyle (Pettyfer) is a high school kid who has it all looks, popularity and wealth. He is one of the beautiful people and he knows it. He can be cruel when he wants to be and he wants to be way too often. One day he is cruel to Goth girl Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen) and she puts a hex on him. Kyle goes from golden boy to gruesome guy in a matter of minutes. He is bald, tattooed and scarred. Kendra gives him one year to find someone to love him for who he truly is or he will stay in this shape.
Dismissed by his father Kyle ends up in an apartment where he is watched over by his housekeeper Zola (Lisa Gay Hamilton) and his blind tutor Will (Neil Patrick Harris). Eventually through a strange set of circumstances a nice girl named Lindy (Hudgins) also comes to live there.
The plot of course is whether or not Kyle can convince Lindy to love him in spite of his physical conditions. If she can see what is inside of him, and if he can make that loveable, then she can save him.
Pettyfer recently starred in I Am Number Four and was sorely lacking in the talent department. In this film he gets a second chance at a career and is much improved. He still isnt a great acting talent but he does show some screen presence.
Opposite him Hudgins projects sweetness and likeability. This is just what she did in High School Musical so she has moved from point A to point A.1. Luckily she is still just as pretty as ever so having her as the love interest works.
Harris makes the most of his small role as the blind tutor. He injects humor into the film and it is much needed. Hamilton is concerned and loving as the housekeeper. Basically she and Harris are playing Mrs. Potts and Lumiere from Disneys version of this story.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and some adult situations.
Pre-teen and teenage girls will love this film. It is romantic as can be and Pettyfer has just the right looks to set their hearts afire. Hudgins can bring in her own fans from High School Musical and they will feel right at home.
This is not a great movie in any sense of the word but it does serve a purpose and meets its intended audiences needs.
I scored Beastly an animalistic 6 out of 10.
