Review of Fairytale

Fairytale (2017)
10/10
FABOO!
26 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Lots to enjoy in this surreal fantasy flick. Sets and costumes to start with. They are terrific, satirical, and an absolute joy to look at. Wonderful designs, wonderful wallpapers, beautiful outfits, fabulous fabrics and color galore. The acting, and the story are campy fun, and there are plenty of laughs to be had throughout the film.

All the performances are excellent. Ted, Tim and Glenn were impressive.

The story line was a little tough to figure out and follow, but once you get the swing of the story, it falls into place. Mrs. Fairytale is a raving lunatic, carrying us to a happy ending.

Worth watching if just for:
  • The sets
  • The costumes
  • The shoes
  • The color
  • The camp
  • The fun of it!


Now for the more serious side of the film.

The movie is about personal liberation, and Mrs. Fairytale is a metaphor. She seems to live the in the world of a fantasy fifties housewife. But Fairytale is actually about a woman trapped in a man's body. Mrs. Fairytale is actually the female alter ego of Stan, who we are led to believe is her husband. Her stuffed dog, upon which she is dependent, is named "Lady."

In fact, Mrs. Fairytale does not live in a near perfect suburban home, but in an institution. Quick flashes of which reveal this truth during the film, but it's at the end that the reality of the movie really comes into focus. We realize that the entire story is actually about a patient in a psychiatric hospital.

Orderlies who ostensibly come to Mrs. Fairytale's house to visit or make repairs administer pills to her, while she makes up and assigns characters for them in her ALMOST perfect suburban life.

You will notice, too, that the views outside Fairytale's fantasy home windows are constantly changing.

Fairytale's mother (played by a Rudy Giuliani look-alike, but who's a better actor) drops in, hoping to see Stan. In truth, she is wishing she could have her son back. She even brings him a masculine Christmas present, which she presents to Fairytale, because that's who it's really intended for. Fairytale says she'll give it to Stan.

Mrs. Fairytale's fantasy fairytale is shattered when she somewhat accidentally and shockingly (for her) sees that she is actually a man.

Liberation in Fairytale's mind is to realize the freedom to fully be a woman. When her doctor agrees with her that this is the best course, they plot to kill Stan - the imaginary male figure in Fairytale's life.

Spoiler: There's a happy ending.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed