by Anna Kendrick has captivated audiences with her witty charm and vocal talents in films like Pitch Perfect and Up in the Air. However, in 2014, she decided to leave her comfort zone and take on a new challenge – starring as Cinderella in Disney’s film adaptation of the musical Into the Woods. This complex role allowed Kendrick to demonstrate impressive acting range and musicality, cementing her status as a multifaceted performer.
Stepping into Cinderella’s Shoes
Kendrick was drawn to Into the Woods because it offered her the chance to subvert the traditional Cinderella trope. Director Rob Marshall promised a new take – a Cinderella with an edge. For Kendrick, it was an opportunity to break out of her established on-screen persona and tap into something darker. Shedding her good girl image, she embraced Cinderella’s desperation and cunning manipulation in her quest for a better life.
Kendrick delivers a raw, nuanced performance, showcasing Cinderella’s moments of self-doubt and vulnerability beneath the ambition. This was a substantial departure from the upbeat, confident characters she was known for. Taking on such a morally ambiguous, emotionally complex role was a brave move that forced Kendrick outside her acting comfort zone.
The Vocals: Powerful, Layered, Demanding
While musicals were familiar territory, Into the Woods required Kendrick to stretch her vocals more than ever before. The score, written by legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, includes intricate harmonies, rapid changes in tone and tempo, and sweeping theatrical numbers.
Cinderella’s main solo, “On the Steps of the Palace,” is a demanding vocal showcase. Kendrick deftly handles the shifting emotions as Cinderella debates her next steps, her voice ranging from tentative fragility to defiant power. Musically, it covers over two octaves and includes challenging leaps and transitions. Kendrick pulls it off with technical precision while infusing heart and vulnerability.
The duet “Agony”, performed with her Prince, is a completely different vocal test. As a fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek comedy number, it requires impressive agility to zip through the complicated lyrics. Kendrick matches her co-star Chris Pine note for note, meeting the physicality demands as they dash and dance across a waterfall.
Moments like these demonstrated Kendrick’s musical theatre chops – she could keep up with Broadway veterans like Meryl Streep. For an actress primarily known for contemporary film musicals, Into the Woods expanded her repertoire.
Digging into Darkness & Desperation
Most of Kendrick’s biggest film roles feature characters who, despite challenges, achieve their happy ending. With Cinderella, she embraced playing someone who makes questionable moral choices stemming from a lifetime of oppression and trauma.
Director Rob Marshall pushed Kendrick to access raw, wounded places in exploring Cinderella’s psyche. Her fraught relationship with her cruel stepmother provides the emotional foundation. In one scene, she curls up weeping by the fireplace after her stepmother rips up her dress, exposing Cinderella’s inner torment.
Kendrick also brings nuance to Cinderella’s desperate desire to attend the royal ball at any cost. Her stealthy scheming and bold lying are at odds with her ‘pure maiden’ image, but reveal her determination. Throughout the film, Kendrick carefully balances between ruthless ambition and relatable vulnerability. Playing Cinderella as a fully-fleshed out woman with darkness and edges was a refreshing change.
Embracing the Physicality
Into the Woods required Kendrick to move beyond her voice and engage her full body. Marshall incorporated substantial physical comedy and stage business into the production.
Years of dance training prepared Kendrick to learn the film’s choreography, including a dizzying sequence where Cinderella frantically dons and discards shoes of various sizes. She also trained in swordsmanship for the final confrontation, demonstrating impressive coordination in the fight scenes.
The role’s stamina demands culminated in “On the Steps of the Palace,” an epic musical number following Cinderella through the woods. Kendrick sweeps, spins and leaps through the ever-shifting lyrics, covering substantial ground while maintaining vocal control. Combined with climbing, kneeling and kneeling, she manages it all with graceful endurance.
Confronting Mortality & Meaning
While Into the Woods includes traditional ‘Happily Ever After’ moments, it also explores darker realities facing many fairy tale figures. Unlike her plucky protagonists that persevered in films like Pitch Perfect and Up in the Air, Kendrick’s Cinderella must confront disillusionment and death.
When she learns her Prince is unfaithful, Cinderella is devastated to realize her ‘perfect ending’ is a fantasy. She must grow beyond her naivete and confront life’s imperfections. Kendrick movingly performs “No One is Alone,” imparting the revelation that one must accept both joy and sorrow.
Later, Cinderella comforts Red Riding Hood who is grieving the loss of her grandmother. The scene is simple yet profound, as Kendrick tenderly explains mortal truths every child must accept. Her openness and empathy in these moments prove rewarding for audiences.
