It’s no secret that mental health has been seriously affected since the pandemic started. The reality is that there’s more negativity and anxiety inducing news being reported in the media than the feel good positive gossip we all love to read, and while it’s important to listen to the directions from health officials to ensure we stay safe, it’s also incredibly vital to take a step back every once in a while and reevaluate where our heads are. We need to take a breather. Focus on the positive. Remember that all of this is temporary. One of my favorite ways to spend my free time is watching a deliciously cheesy romantic movie. The best movie to watch, in my opinion, is The Princess Diaries, to get that immediate shot of excitement and serotonin we all deserve.
Here are 5 reasons why you should pull up your laptop and watch The Princess Diaries when you’re not feeling your best!
- The Nostalgia. Even if you haven’t seen this movie before, you’ll quickly get the sense of nostalgia of the early 2000s. All the characters wear outfits that encapsulate the 2000s, from the blue and grey school uniforms to the loose fitted jeans, the butterfly clips in Lilly Moscovitz’s hair, and Joe’s tiny sunglasses that, as Lilly comments, makes him look like Shaft. There are no fancy cars like the ones you see outside your window now, but a very old, beat up Mustang that Mia Thermopolis really thinks she can revive…even though it’s on it’s last leg. There are no cool cell phones, but there are landlines, and slow computers. If you like the movie and decide to delve into the series (as I’ve done many times), the pull of the nostalgia is even stronger with the repeated pop culture references of the time. Mia is very influenced by celebrities, talking about Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, and NSYNC, not to mention dial up Internet and Instant Messaging. What a time that was.
- The Cast. Ever wondered where Anne Hathaway got her start? This film kicked off her career, and you can see that she took her first role very seriously. She perfectly adapts the character of Mia, the socially awkward and not-so-popular-girl-turned-princess. The entire cast has been successful, and you may have heard their names, so it’s interesting to see where they all began their careers. Hathaway opened up the world of opportunities for herself, and she was only 21! Robert Schwartzman, who plays the absolute heartthrob Michael Moscovitz, comes from a very talented family, including his aunt Sofia Coppola, and he’s also a successful musician, having founded the band Rooney, and continues acting to this day in indie films. He’s dipped his fingers in directing too, something he’s stated that he always has wanted to do.
Mandy Moore, who played Lana Thomas, has been very successful in her career, as many people know. She’s an actress and a singer, who notably voices Rapunzel’s voice in Disney’s Tangled! The iconic Julie Andrews, aka the queen herself, is in this movie, just bringing everything together with her expertise and impeccable acting skills. If you haven’t heard of Julie Andrews, well, you need to stop living under a rock. P.S., while we’re on the topic of who has worked on this movie to make it as amazing as it is, did you know that Whitney Houston was one of the producers for this film? Crazy, I know.
- The Humor. What’s a good movie without the witty dialogue and chemistry between the actors? Mia is by far the funniest character in this film, losing her mind a bit for the most obvious reasons, resulting in the most comical lines. Her mom is dating her teacher, her grandma just happens to be a queen, and — surprise! — she’s actually a princess! Her jokes are tastefully hilarious, one of my favorite lines being “Me?? A princess? SHUT UP!” Lilly has many amusing lines as the princess’s grouchy best friend, and then, of course, you can’t forget about Paolo, the hairdresser and makeup artist, who doesn’t exactly know how to keep his not-so-nice comments to himself. All in all, if you’re looking for a movie to laugh out loud at, this is it.
- The Romance. Ah, love. Such a wonderful thing to watch unfold on our screens, creating that warm, happy feeling inside of us. The romance in this movie unfolds between Mia and Michael, an unlikely couple, and it is very heartwarming. Michael, the quiet brother of Lilly, has always loved Mia, and makes us swoon at the end. Mia’s foot popping kiss will make you glow with happiness (and possibly even cry those good ol’ tears). The chemistry between Michael and Mia is amazing and not in any way toxic. I will always shamelessly admit that Michael Moscovitz was my first crush.
- The Soundtrack. The funny thing about this soundtrack is that when you listen back to the songs, you can visualize the movie in your head, even if it’s been months since you’ve watched the movie. The violins and pianos are calming and magical, perfectly capturing the “princess” effect. Songs such as Miracles Happen by Myra, SuperGirl by Krystal Harris, and even Stupid Cupid sung by Mandy Moore herself once more push that nostalgia onto us. All the songs are inspiring and uplifting, never giving us a moment to be sad, which we very much appreciate.
Watching The Princess Diaries is the perfect way to recharge and remember that things will be okay soon. If Mia can overcome the fear of ruling a country she’s never heard of in her life, then, well, I think we can overcome our biggest challenges too.
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