Prince Charming (2001 TV Movie) User Reviews (17)

Delightful and Pleasant Fantasy

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 24 June 2012]

In the Fifteenth Century, the Kingdom of Anwyn has been in war against the Lothian Kingdom for three hundred years. Now the womanizer Prince John of Anwyn (Sean Maguire) will marry the Lothian Princess Gwendolyn (Christina Applegate) to bring peace to the kingdoms. He rides with his clumsy wizard squire Rodney of Tudor (Martin Short) and his father King Leo (Colin Fox) to the Lothian Castle for the wedding. However, on the day of the wedding, Prince John is caught shagging a peasant woman and Lothian King Pius (David Fox) and Queen Isabel (Marcia Bennett) curse Prince John and Rodney and they are doomed to "frogging" by the wizard Whackthazar for all eternity. The spell will only be broken if a maiden kisses John and marries him.

Five hundred years later, John and Rodney are still frogs. One day, a boy catches and brings them to New York City and they escape to the Central Park. When the actress Margo (Bernadette Peters) kisses John in the park, Rodney and he become men again. John and Rodney seek Margo out to marry her and end the curse, and they meet the gorgeous Kate (Christina Applegate) that helps them. John knows that he must marry Margo but he falls in love with Kate.

"Prince Charming" is a delightful and pleasant fantasy with a sweet story of true love made for television. The cast is fantastic and Christina Applegate is very beautiful and has a great chemistry with Sean Maguire. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Príncipe Sapo" ("The Prince Frog")

The precursor to "Enchanted" and just as good; maybe even better

[Wuchakk · 7/10 · 12 October 2014]

A fornicating prince from the 15th century and his servant are punished by being turned into frogs for all eternity, unless he can get a maiden to kiss him and marry.

Although made for TV (2001), "Prince Charming" is easily just as good as 2007's theatrically-released "Enchanted," which has a similar plot. I'm sure "Enchanted" was inspired by it.

Christina Applegate plays the New York City "maiden" who befriends the frogmen. Bernadette Peters, in a smaller role, is her usual charismatic, beautiful self.

Everything clicks for a fun, entertaining movie.

The film runs a short-but-sweet 87 minutes and was shot in Brampton, Ontario, and New York City.

GRADE: B+

Cute movie with a great cast

[qubit01 · 7/10 · 23 May 2013]

I just finished watching this on TNT. Never knew it existed before, but I was surfing and saw the lovely Christina Applegate and had to stop. Then I saw the Amazing Martin Short and was like whaaaat? Too bad I missed about half an hour. No matter, this is a cute, endearing take on the Prince Charming story, with the Prince and his servant finding themselves back in human form somehow (missed that part), and in modern America. Did I mention Bernadette Peters? My lord, she is still PERFECT. Christina has always been a good comedic actor, but did very well in her dramatic scenes- better than expected. Martin Short is still funny, and Bernadette Peters is, again, absolutely perfect. What a gorgeous woman and talented actress! Sean Maguire does a great Charming, his accent and mannerisms are spot on as a medieval prince out of his element. Billy Connolly and Andrea Martin pull it together with good performances of their own. A charming movie that's great for the whole family.

A Charming Story

[makenai · 15 November 2001]

You can argue this is a made-for-TV movie, say that fantasy (somewhat, family too) genre isn't for you, or that is a well know story so why bother to watch it. I can understand you, but although I had some reserves like you, I watched it and I surprised myself.

Made-for-TV movie = Low budget? More often than not, right, but here you get nice scenes (some with CGI, to animate frogs) and great middle-age costumes. Even for fantasy, the writer developed the story as real as he could, and that was the key to make myself comfortable and enjoy the movie and Martin Short good performance. In addition, if you love, like, worship Christina Applegate, this is your chance to see her in her true nature: being a princess. But if you don't, because you just consider her a Married-With-Children-bimbo, then this is your possibility to reconsider that. She's acting better and better since "Jesse." By the way, thumbs up as well to Sean Maguire (Prince 'Charming' John) and Bernadette Peters (as Margo) for their parts.

The most compelling thing about this movie is the proper timing of the director to portray the story. You watch it don't caring how much time remain and time does fly. For me, that's another sign of an enjoyable movie. So, if you want to laugh a bit, if you like fantasy or fairly tales, or if you declare yourself as a romantic, this could be a good movie for you. I give it *** of ***** (* = soup? again?, ** = better than looking at the wall, *** = within most people acceptable limits, **** = now we are talking, ***** = a dream come true.)

certainly not a favorite, but still funny enough to watch again

[phantom_fandom · 3/10 · 27 April 2005]

This movie is somewhat funny. The characters are pretty lame, and its predictable, but its still enough to make you smile. I rented the movie and my mom came and watched it with me, we both still quote the lines to each other. :-) I can guarantee it won't be on your favorites list, but you will probably want to see it again. If you don't like Romance and Corny Comedy, however, Don't watch it! The whole movie is a ridiculous romance, with predictable turns. The characters don't seem very real, in fact most of them are nauseatingly fake. The comedy isn't all that good either, I think I laughed out loud twice. What makes it so funny is the thought that if people were really like these characters...we would be extinct. I would recommend renting another movie, but if you are a fan of frogs or looking for prince charming, you may just like it.

Yet another boring romantic comedy, in the form of a bad fairy tale

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 1/10 · 14 February 2004]

I have to admit, I had pretty low expectations when I sat down to watch this. Surprisingly enough, I was still disappointed. I honestly have a hard time believing how bad it was. Every single character was a cliche. The plot was ridiculous, lame and held no surprises whatsoever. I had figured out the end within a few minutes of the movie. The CGI is barely passable, for a made-for-TV movie. The 'comedy' is unbelievably bad, I didn't even smile once, for the entire duration of the film. The worst thing about it is the fact that it's a fairy tale as well as a romantic comedy. I got nausea from the pure sweetness of it. Disgusting. I can honestly say that the only thing in the whole movie that wasn't directly offending with how bad it was, was Cristina Applegate's acting. That was actually OK, but nowhere near good enough to save this putrid waste of film. I urge anyone, apart from senseless females who can't bare the thought of missing a romantic comedy, do not waste any time at all on this movie. It may very well be the worst film I've ever seen. Definitely the worst romantic comedy. 1/10

Christina Applegate's acting is surprisingly great

[ccs-5 · 10/10 · 22 October 2005]

Before watching this movie I hadn't had too high an opinion of Christina Applegate's acting talent. However I thought she was terrific here....especially in the scene where she and the Prince are in the museum and they see his portrait. To me her acting in that scene was truly magical -- it ranks as one of my favorite movie moments. This movie is severely underrated -- perhaps because it was a made-for-TV production. The first 20 minutes or so admittedly are a bit uneven, but then it really takes off. For the fullest enjoyment one must remember that it is a fairy tale, after all, and hence requires the requisite suspension of belief. The acting overall is absolutely superb: Bernadette Peters is at her best; Billy Connolly plays his role to perfection; the actor who plays the prince (whose name escapes me!) should be more famous than he is, as he was spot-on; Martin Short was typically wonderful and just right; and nearly all of the other actors were tailor-made for their roles.

Not worthy of the Hallmark seal - slight spoiler

[three_am · 2/10 · 2 February 2005]

I generally enjoy Hallmark Entertainment movies. The Snow Queen, The Secret Garden, and Snow White were well-made fairy-tale movies. Although Prince Charming does try to make a modern love story from the Frog Prince story, it fails in its execution. It needed more story. The movie did not explain why they survived as frogs for so long without aging or dying. And having watched LOTR, the names of the kingdoms sounded totally middle-earth, I got lost in its generic names.

The worst part of the movie is the ending. The ending made no sense! Major plot hole that I fell through. The ending was too sickly sweet for me.

I would have given this movie a 1, but because the actor that portrayed the Prince was very nice to look at, I gave it a 2. Christina Applegate did a mediocre job as the lead lady in the story. Usually I love Bernadette Peters and her adept quality at portraying evil women, but it felt like the film makers didn't want to make her too evil character. *sigh* I just wish the story was a little more fleshed out before they made it a movie, even a made for TV movie.

i thought i was going to roll my eyes and change channels

[marybryan · 10/10 · 21 July 2003]

This was such a fun movie! A delightful comedy that truly caught me off guard. Maguire and Short make this tale believable, there is no doubt. Performances were exceptional from all really. Peters is as always perfect. Thumbs up also to the details like the kilt skirt.

One Lovely Sweet Kiss of Happiness

[Flowerlillie · 10/10 · 21 November 2004]

I loved this movie so much. It had the fairly tale come true dust sprinkled all over it. My heart did a flip at the amazing all star cast. Martin Short is funny and wonderful as always. I love anything with Bernadette Peters in it. She is full of spunk and beauty. The actor Sean Maguire was the perfect prince charming. He had the accent, the body, the hair, and the charm all women secretly dream about. The story line was great, how all their lives and problems intertwined with each others. But as always they lived happily ever after. I loved the chase seen through the park. It was your classic damsel in distress with the hunky rescuer. The only thing missing was that Bernadette Peters didn't sing. If you love happy endings with a modern day flair then this is the movie for you. It's one lovely sweet kiss of happiness.

Sweet and Charming

[paintbrush_2003 · 29 January 2004]

We've seen this plot a thousand times, but this take on it is sweet and very entertaining. I was particularly surprised at how well the frogs were computer-generated. They move like people and are fun to watch. The acting is great and the movie moves along at a nice pace. Watch this on a rainy Saturday afternoon with some ice cream. I rented it at a small local video store that doesn't have many movies, so it's probably available, although they did only have one copy.

A Great Movie

[she_wolf007 · 10/10 · 26 March 2005]

I love this movie and so does my daughter. We have watched it many times and never get tired of it. It always makes me feel happy, even when I've had a bad day. It doesn't hurt that Sean Maguire is so good-looking, but all the stars are really good in it. Martin Short is also very funny. I would recommend this movie to anyone with a sense of humor and also anyone who just needs to have their spirits lifted. It will make you believe that true love still does exist. This will always remain one of my favorite movies, and I will always make sure to have it in my video library. It may be a little bit of a "Chick Flick", but that's fine with me. I still urge anyone who needs a lift to watch this movie!

Very Sweet

[hermione22 · 10/10 · 24 July 2003]

I don't know why, but I couldn't get enough of this movie. Yeah it was predictable, but it was also so very cute. I love Christina Applegate, and thought she did a good job in this movie. And this new guy playing prince charming...he was just that...Charming. All he had to do was smile and I was melting. And the best part of the movie by far, was when they were in the museum and he's telling her how he wishes he could be with her, and he tries to kiss her, and she starts crying. It was really nice acting. and a beautiful moment.

it's really great!

[mo12e3n · 10/10 · 9 December 2001]

I watched this for like three times already. All I can say is that it is one of the best that i have ever seen. I really love it. I just love the story, the cast, the setting... because I'm into the Medieval ages stuff. i love classic. Most especially, i love the script. I don't know... but it's simply great. i had a number of laughs too!!

Charming modern take on an old fairy tale.

[TxMike · 17 July 2003]

I mainly watched this made-for-TV movie for Christina Applegate, my favorite of the younger cute-as-a-button actresses. I believe everyone knows the basic story - a prince gets turned into a frog and can only be changed back to a prince if he can get a fair maiden to kiss him and marry him. In this version, his sidekick, played by Martin Short, also becomes a frog. But there is a big twist in this film which makes it extra entertaining.

some SPOILERS follow, proceed cautiously and at your own risk of disappointment.

As frogs, and 500 years after the spell, they get onto a plane in England and accidently get deposited into present-day NYC. Barely dodging traffic, they end up in central park where they meet an actress (Bernadette Peters) who they think will be the one. On a lark, the prince frog gets kissed, and tossed into the lake, where he changes, his assistant too, back into people. But the actress is gone. They meet and hire a horse carriage tour driver (Applegate) to find her, but not everything works out the way it should. There is some issue about the gold coin he gives her (is it real? Yes, worth $6000!), whether his story is real (yes, it is!). And, as we probably all expected, the prince and the carriage driver get together in the end.

Charming little movie!

Great movie

[francoischristana · 10/10 · 2 September 2021]

I was hesitant to continue watching this movie based on the opening scene when Prince Charming was mocking a fake proposal with a pig as his bride, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. Prince Charming and his sidekick wizard servant Rodney were sentenced to frogging because on Prince Charming wedding day to the Princess of Lothian, he decided to frolic around with a common women. To teach the prince a lesson, the princess parents cursed Prince Charming and his servant that they will remain frogs until he find a princess to kiss him and marry him and he shall be faithful to her forever. Follow the Prince journey as he complete his quest.

Pretty good!

[mgulev · 27 October 2002]

You pretty much know what the story will be like based on the title and you pretty much know the budget by the actors and actresses, but....

This movie works! It keeps you interested all the way through, mainly, I guess, because of its fish-out-of-water (or should I say frog-out-of-water?) charm.