Jun. 29, 2021|United States|100 Min.|PG
Genre: Comedy;Drama;Music;Romance
Description: Seventeen-year-old Samantha “Sam” Montgomery works as a waitress at a diner in the San Fernando Valley, managed by her stepmother Fiona. After the death of Sam’s father, Harold, in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Fiona inherited the diner and the family’s wealth. Sam dreams of attending Princeton University but faces constant mistreatment from Fiona and her stepsisters, Brianna and Gabriella, who squander the family’s money on luxuries. Sam struggles to fit in at North Valley High School, where she is bullied by the popular crowd, led by cheerleader Shelby Cummings.
Sam finds solace in her online pen pal, “Nomad,” who shares her ambition to attend Princeton and become a writer. She also relies on her best friend, Carter Farrell, and the supportive diner staff, including manager Rhonda, waitress Eleanor, and chef Bobby. Unbeknownst to Sam, “Nomad” is actually Austin Ames, the school’s popular yet unhappy football quarterback and Shelby’s boyfriend. Austin plans to break up with Shelby and resents his father’s expectation for him to attend the University of Southern California on a football scholarship.
Sam and “Nomad” arrange to meet at the school’s Halloween dance. Sam attends dressed as Cinderella in a white masquerade mask and a wedding gown. The two share a romantic dance, but while Sam discovers “Nomad’s” true identity, Austin remains unaware of hers. Sam must leave early for her midnight shift at the diner, leaving her cellphone behind, which Austin finds. Meanwhile, Carter intervenes to protect Shelby from an unwanted advance at the dance, leading to an unexpected moment between them.
Sam rushes back to the diner with Carter, and the staff helps stall Fiona to cover for her. Despite the challenges, Sam and Austin’s connection deepens, setting the stage for their evolving relationship.
Cast director: Michelle Johnston
Cast actor: Bailee Madison, Michael Evans Behling, April Telek, Lillian Doucet-Roche, Richard Harmon
Original name: A Cinderella Story: Starstruck