Why Enchanted Stands as the Definitive Feelgood Disney Movie
In our ongoing series where writers select their ultimate comfort films, a heartfelt tribute emerges for Amy Adams and what many consider her finest performance to date. While Adams' six Oscar nominations without a win often dominate discussions about her career, an even greater oversight is the Academy's failure to nominate her for Enchanted. This 2007 film introduced Adams to mainstream audiences and represents what might be her most accomplished work.
The Masterclass Performance That Anchors the Film
Adams' portrayal of Giselle, a fairytale princess thrust into modern-day New York, serves as the gravitational centre of this winningly charming Disney production. Her pitch-perfect embodiment of a real-life Disney princess demonstrates a masterclass in full-bore commitment, creating a character that balances wide-eyed innocence with genuine emotional depth. Despite being potentially considered too frivolous for Academy tastes at the time, Adams' performance has aged beautifully, revealing layers of sophistication beneath the seemingly simple premise.
A Platonic Ideal of Family-Friendly Viewing
From its initial release, Enchanted captured hearts immediately, but repeated viewings – including with younger generations – have cemented its status as approaching a platonic ideal of family-friendly feelgood cinema. The film's enduring appeal lies in its perfect tonal balance, beginning with a leatherbound-storybook framing device that transitions into a 2D-animated prologue before Giselle's unexpected journey through a portal to Times Square.
The predictable yet comforting narrative framework follows Giselle as she encounters divorce lawyer and single father Robert, played by Patrick Dempsey. Through their culture-clash relationship, the film explores how Giselle gradually loses some naivety while inspiring those around her to embrace life with more Disney-like qualities – casual declarations of love, unwavering optimism, and spontaneous musical numbers.
Musical Moments That Define the Film's Spirit
The Central Park musical number That's How You Know stands as an upbeat centrepiece that consistently moves viewers to emotional responses. Adams' delivery of this impromptu ode to wearing your heart on your sleeve represents such pure, unadulterated idealism that its joyful execution continues to resonate powerfully with audiences. Similarly, the tidying-up singalong Happy Working Song parodies Disney tropes with genuine wit while maintaining a catchy, memorable tune.
From Cynical Origins to Love Letter Perfection
According to director Kevin Lima, the film's journey to becoming what it is today involved significant transformation. The original spec script possessed a more cynical edge before Lima suggested reshaping it into "a love letter to Disney." This shift in perspective resulted in a film filled with affectionate references, in-jokes, and cameos – including voice artists behind iconic Disney princesses – that provide extra enjoyment for dedicated Disney fans while remaining accessible to broader audiences.
Supporting Cast Excellence and Narrative Satisfaction
Every supporting role contributes significantly to the film's success, from Susan Sarandon's vampish sorceress to Timothy Spall's loyal minion. James Marsden delivers an absolute hoot of a performance as Prince Edward, blissfully unaware of how dramatically he clashes with his New York surroundings. His character bags some of the film's funniest lines while maintaining a straightforward romantic sincerity that perfectly complements the story's emotional core.
The film earns additional feelgood points through its satisfying resolution for all characters, including Robert's partner Nancy – played by future Elsa voice actor Idina Menzel – who receives a happily-ever-after send-off despite receiving somewhat limited screen time. Even minor characters like the divorcing couple portrayed by Tonya Pinkins and Isiah Whitlock Jr enjoy beautiful little subplots within the film's efficient narrative structure.
Enduring Legacy and Contemporary Relevance
Compared to recent box-office trends involving carbon-copy live-action remakes of beloved animated classics, Enchanted continues to stand apart as a genuinely inventive work. While it pushes nostalgia buttons and delivers everything audiences want from a Disney character in a real-world context, it achieves this with wit, creativity, and palpable affection for its source material. The film has aged considerably better than the more cynical parodies of its era, maintaining its emotional sincerity while offering intelligent humour.
Amy Adams herself recently reflected on revisiting the film in preparation for its 2022 sequel, Disenchanted, noting that "it was nice to have distance from it and to be able to see it for the absolute joy that it was." This perspective from the film's star underscores how Enchanted has transcended its initial release to become what Adams describes as "a generational comfort movie" – a designation that feels increasingly accurate with each passing year.
The film remains available on Disney+ in multiple regions and through digital rental platforms, ensuring new generations can discover its unique blend of fairytale magic and real-world charm. In an entertainment landscape filled with increasingly cynical or formulaic offerings, Enchanted continues to shine as a beacon of genuine warmth and creative storytelling that respects both its Disney heritage and its audience's intelligence.
