FAIRY TALE: A TRUE STORY
Unfortunately, there are a few elements which tend to undermine the potential
success of this film. One is the fact that for such a light-hearted subject,
the director chose a terribly dark and dismal presentation. The settings
are dreary throughout, and even when the girls are frolicking with their
tiny friends in the woods, there is an almost Dickensian grimness. This
is not without reason. Both girls have lost cherished members of their families
and Elsie's household is clutched by grief. Still, it would seem that their
(and our) spirits could be lifted by their friendship with the fairies,
but only Earl is allowed to portray Frances with a reasonable whimsy.
Secondly, although the film credits a long list of actors who play the fairies, we hardly ever see them on film, and there is virtually no characterization whatsoever. The girls call to them by name (implying that they have spoken), but we never witness any conversations; only swarms of dragonfly-like creatures flitting by and an occasional close-up of one or two of them. Perhaps the author wanted to preserve the sense of mystery associated with these creatures, but frankly, this film could have used a little more fairies and a lot less gloom. There is an intriguing sequence in which three pivotal events are happenning simultaneously, but I'm afraid it's too little too late. **½