Remember Halloween? It was last month. But it is always happening in my heart.
It’s Cinderella . . . with lawyers and corporate espionage, but in a cute Hallmark way. And it all takes place around Halloween, not Christmas. That’s something - I think.
Rob (Christopher Russell) is our Cinderella, plays an overworked good guy. Not just “nice”, as his friends Merry played by Kim Roberts and Sam played by Neil Crone, say. Although he is nice, he more importantly good in that he take priority in what is important. For example, despite being bogged down with work, he still keeps promises to his niece Ruby (Helen Colliander). He is, however, a doormat.
Rob is constantly picked on and made a peon to his boss’s two sons (the replacement to the ugly stepsisters), but this gives him some opportunities like being able to sit in on major cases for the law firm. However, this also put him in an awkward position. While Ruby and Rob are bowling, the pair meet Elyse (Autumn Reeser) who Ruby instantly like and tries to set up her uncle with. But, oh no, it turns out Elyse is the prince . . . I mean, a client! Whaaaaaa. Elyse has just taken over her father’s candy company which is in the midst of a copyright lawsuit due to a another company trying to use her branding. Elyse realizes quickly in a meeting that Rob is more knowledgeable than his two bosses played by Danny Smith and Damon Runyan.
Elyse invites the firm to her company’s annual Halloween ball, which gives our story the chance to take on more Cinderella elements. His sister (Shauna MacDonald) makes him a prince costume and makes him practice his dancing. Then. . . dun dun dun! The night of the ball one of the evil boss’s son tells him he has to work to fix their problems before their dad sees. Then, of course, Ruby shows up with a plan. Rob will wear a mask in order to attend the ball for a couple of hours and then get back to the office before it closes at, you guessed it, midnight. His friends Merry and Sam encourage him and he decides to sweep Elyse off her feet without telling her who he is.
The costumed prince and his metaphorical prince (man, I want a decent gay Cinderella movie - someone get on that please) have a nice night. They dance to a creepy music box style tune. I wish I could say this was on purpose because the movie takes place on Halloween, but I think it was just to avoid copyright issues with known music. At the ball, Elyse wears an impressive gown and crown (hey, that rhymes). However, her bangs would suggest a recent tragedy. They kiss before Rob has to run back to the office leaving his crown behind.
Then, one of the boss’s sons pretends he had been the one in the prince costume and take Elyse out on a date while Rob holds onto hope that she’ll figure it out. Still, Elyse is disappointed in her date and at this point, I really felt like the movie could have been wrapped up with the Cinderella and Prince getting together. And yet, twenty minutes were left.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The shady lawyer boss and his sons try to convince Elyse to sell her candy company after getting a large stock offer from the rival company that they were in the copyright lawsuit against. Rob, his niece, and his friends gather evidence of the shady sh*t in order to prove to Elyse that she is being dooped. Before they can show her the what evidence they have, Rob and Ruby manage to invite Elyse bowling with them where Ruby really lays on the matchmaking. After Elyse leaves, Ruby guilts Rob to be honest and how it’s the “good” thing to do. Like a law thriller cliche, Rob calls Elyse from the bathroom of his firm and sets up a meeting with her.
Ruby finally spills the beans and Elyse demands that the whole thing be sorted out. She finds out that Rob was the prince and hires him as her company’s new lawyer. They the SEC on his old bosses. Then Rob and Elyse GET MARRIED IN THE BOWLING ALLEY! They barely know each other! What is happening? This escalated so quickly!
