Kady Bell
Staff Writer
On the surface, “Ice Princess” has all the makings of a teenybopper flick, but a touching story, heartfelt acting and well choreographed skating scenes combine to make it a surprisingly worth while trip to the movies.
In the beginning, Michelle Trachtenberg’s character, Casey Carlyle, is told that her calling in life is physics, but it is obvious by the look on her face that she has something different in mind. She is the stereotypical “science nerd” and is pursuing her mother’s dream of getting into Harvard, but her own dreams revolve around the frozen pond in her backyard.
Her transformation into the “ice princess” begins when she decides to use her smarts to decipher the exact aerodynamic equations involved in axels and flips, in order to win a physics scholarship to Harvard.
She is introduced to the world of competitive skating by Gen, played by Hayden Panettiere, and her mother, Tina Harwood, who is played by Kim Cattrall.
Gen is faced with the same dilemma as Casey; she is pushed to pursue her own mother’s unfulfilled dream of becoming a champion figure skater, but wants nothing more than to be a “normal” teenager.
Joan Cusack is often cast as a mother due to the motherly quality she seems to exude; take her role in “Raising Helen,” and this role was no different.
She is believable as a single mother, and you cannot help but think that all she wants for Casey is to see her realize her dreams.
Cattrall is also believable as a former figure skater turned hardened coach due to a somewhat sketchy past. Her character is meant to portray the sometimes two-faced world of figure skating, as she is willing to do anything to see her daughter push ahead in competitions.
Trachtenberg and Panettiere also lend earnestness to their characters, which allows them to sneak their way into the hearts of viewers. You grow to want to see Casey make that perfect landing and to work out her issues with her mother, just as you hope that Gen will achieve her dreams of normalcy and come to an understanding with her own mother.
The scenes on the ice are also designed to make viewers aware of the combination of sweat and heart that goes into making every routine successful. Casey falls often enough to put tears in your eyes when she pulls off a flawless jump, even with the inner knowledge that stunt doubles were involved.
The movie was not without its flaws, however, as the romance side was a bit cheesy and unbelievable.
Casey’s love interest is Gen’s brother Teddy, and he is conveniently by her side at all of the right moments with far less-than-great one liners such as, “You just can’t stay off the ice, can you?” But not much more can be expected from a G-rated Disney movie than a cutesy love story.
Overall, the movie was not disappointing. Although I would not recommend it to the average college guy, I would recommend it to mothers and daughters everywhere.
It may be a typical ugly duckling turns into swan story, but it won my heart.
Kady Bell can be reached at rzezna65@yahoo.com.
