Shall We Dance? (1997)

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997) provides its audience with the classic tale of Cinderella, the beloved music of the titular duo, and a color-blind world where Prince Charming is Asian, the King and Queen are an interracial couple, and Cinderella is a dark-skinned, Black woman. Yet, does this film’s choice of color-blind casting have unintentional ramifications?

I watched this movie on VHS non-stop as a kid. In fact, it was the first version of Cinderella I had ever seen. I excitedly talked about my favorite songs from Cinderella to my friends. Not recognizing the song, they would be confused. When I raved over the comedic relief of Lionel, the prince’s right-hand man, you'd have sworn he never existed by their cluelessness. But I have always argued that this film was the Cinderella, and everything else was based on this film.

This was the first romance I remembered watching,  the first time I recognized romantic love, and that I wanted it. I was in awe of Brandy and Paolo Montalban's (Prince Christopher) chemistry. It was how they spoke to one another. How they looked into each other’s eyes as if it was the last time they’d ever see each other again. This movie made me want to fall in love.