Susan Granger’s review of “Prince Charming” (Sunday evening, July 13, on TNT)
Are you in the mood for a funny midsummer night’s fantasy? This classic fairy tale begins in the 15th century in the European country of Lothian as Prince John (Sean Maguire), who has an eye for the ladies, is caught in a compromising situation with a damsel on his wedding day. As punishment, he and his loyal squire Rodney (Martin Short) are sentenced to “frogging,” which transforms them into lowly frogs for all eternity – or until the prince can convince a maiden not only to kiss him but also to marry him. 500 years later later, John and Rodney find themselves wet ‘n’ wild in 21st century New York in Central Park. Miraculously, they’re returned to human form by a kiss from Margo (Bernadette Peters), a Broadway diva who’s in love with Hamish (Billy Connolly), her director, and has no intention of marrying Prince John, who, meanwhile, has fallen for Kate, a street-wise horse-drawn buggy driver (Christina Applegate). So it falls to Rodney and his lady-love Serena (Andrea Martin) to conjure a bit of magical manipulation. Written by Doug Palau and directed by Allan Arkush, this charming story pivots on the medieval chivalry of the heroic Prince, who has sown his wild oats and discovers true love for the first time. Jamie Anderson’s cinematography conveys the romantic aura, while the interaction of the CGI frogs with live-action actors is amusing and production designer John Dondertman makes clever use of Central Park’s Belvedere Castle. On the Granger Made-for-TV Movie Gauge, “Prince Charming” is an endearing 7. The two-hour TNT World Premiere is at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, with encores at 10 p.m. and 12 am, plus additional encores on July 17 at 9 p.m., July 18 at 10:30 p.m., July 19 at 12 a.m., July 23 at 11 p.m. and July 26 at 9:30 a.m..
