I'm happy to call out sexism in movies when I see it, but I think some have been quick to judge this version of CINDERELLA as a typical "damsel in distress" tale and leave it at that. Shortly after Lady Tremaine locks Cinderella in the attic, seemingly for good, Cinderella steels herself against her present circumstances, twirling as she remembers her night at the ball for what it is: a memory. She's not expecting to be rescued. She's making peace with her lot in life and vowing not to let it change who she is. She refuses to become as bitter as her stepmother and stepsisters. She's holding on to her courage and kindness.

Sometimes, life really sucks in ways we can't change. Sometimes, we're stuck dealing with circumstances worse than we deserve. But kindness and courage have their own rewards, and our true characters are revealed in the way we choose to act under duress. If you treat others with kindness, you will never have anything to regret. That's the message I took from CINDERELLA.