Chris Pine & Anne Hathaway Are Charming Enemies-to-Lovers in This Rom-Com

Chris Pine and Anne Hathaway are some of the biggest stars in Hollywood now. Just last year, Pine starred in the fantasy movie Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and took a villainous turn in Disney’s Wish. His directorial debut Poolman, which he co-wrote, also hits theaters on May 10. As for Hathaway, she has some great projects out this year, such as Mothers’ Instinct alongside Jessica Chastain. She will also be seen next in The Idea of You, which will be available to stream on Prime Video on May 2. This movie is much-awaited for book fans, and it focuses on a single mom who gets the attention of a dashing young man in a boy band. But before these movies, Pine and Hathaway starred in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, in which they displayed wonderful chemistry through and through, and it came before their big rom-com projects, such as Just My Luck and Bride Wars. Thanks to these actors’ natural and tangible connection, this Disney movie has connected with a lot of young romantics. It’s the perfect movie for those who love the good old enemies-to-lovers trope with just the right amount of cheesiness.

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

Now settled in Genovia, Princess Mia faces a new revelation: she is being primed for an arranged marriage to an English suitor.

Release Date

August 6, 2004

Main Genre

Comedy

Runtime

120

What Is ‘The Princess Diaries 2’ About?

Anne Hathaway plays Mia Thermopolis, a young woman with a lot of smarts and sass. Her journey starts in the first movie, and in the sequel, she’s seen adjusting as a princess in Genovia, trying her best to uphold her duties and serve the people. She’s always been a bit awkward, but in the Royal Engagement, she becomes more mature and elegant while still having fun. All of the things she does as a princess are backed up by her grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews). But when Mia finds out that she has to find a husband soon, things start to get complicated. She meets a couple of potential suitors, though two stand out. One is a gentleman named Andrew Jacoby (Callum Blue), a duke. The other is a smug bachelor named Nicholas Deveraux (Chris Pine, in his impressive feature film debut), who is Mia’s worst nightmare. Or is he?

Nicholas Deveraux is a young man born and raised in Genovia, who, alongside his greedy uncle Viscount Mabrey (John Rhys-Davies), is trying to steal the throne because Nicholas is the “rightful heir,” supposedly due to technicalities. To prevent Mia from taking her grandmother’s place as the queen, Mabrey asks Nicholas to put on his charm and seduce Mia so that her engagement to a well-mannered man fails. For them, it sounds like a great plan because Nicholas is actually pretty darn charming, no matter how much people deny it. But, knowing how smart Mia is, she quickly realizes what he’s really up to, and the two of them continue to argue. It’s a classic will-they-won’t-they situation, and you can’t help but be engaged every single time because the chemistry jumps off the screen.

Related

It’s Time To Give Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman the Respect She Deserves

The Oscar winner’s portrayal of the DC Comics icon in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ deserves all the flowers.

But before Mia uncovers their devious plan, she and Nicholas actually get along, with Mia even developing a slight infatuation with Nicholas during a romantic dance at her birthday party. Unfortunately, it all spirals downhill from there, with the two constantly bickering. One of the best instances of this is at a garden party, where both Mia and Nicholas have brought their respective partners. They both act civil during their interactions, even though it’s clear that they’re trying to make each other jealous. Mia and Nicholas sneak away from all the people and have a fight, which ends with them kissing and Mia having the iconic “lifting-one-of-my-legs-up-in-the-air” moment. That scene perfectly builds tension, and the kiss is just the cherry on top. It just wouldn’t have been as effective if not for Hathaway and Pine’s easy, magnetic chemistry.

‘The Princess Diaries 2’ Wouldn’t Work Without Anne Hathaway and Chris Pine

There are people who just naturally radiate such charm, one that you can’t help but be willingly manipulated by, and Chris Pine is one of them. You just can’t help but be locked in every time he shows up on screen, even though his scenes are limited. Pine absolutely makes the most of the screen time, and you’d even be more impressed when you realize that it’s his film debut. His role as Nicholas is certainly annoying, yet undeniably swoon-worthy. Hathaway’s Mia is approached differently, though her charm is just as magical and alluring. Mia is an independent young woman who has a heart of gold. Her approach to politics isn’t single-minded — she always puts the needs of her people first. But apart from that, Mia is also a person who likes to have fun and let loose. So, when you pair her up with someone like Nicholas, it simply makes sense that they work together, not just romantically.

In the first half of The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, Nicholas is shown to be a mean guy who just wants to have power, to have the throne. But then, slowly, we see his true colors, and the fact that he’s just heavily influenced by his uncle. The thing is, while Nicholas comes off as maddening, we know he’s clever and smart, and that just adds to the charm. What’s more, Nicholas actually matches Mia’s energy. They’re both ambitious but still have kind hearts. However, in terms of personality, it’s a classic “opposites attract” situation, and they balance each other out. With that knowledge, the audience already knows that they’re the ones who will end up together in the end. I mean, who doesn’t love an enemies-to-lovers trope done right?

Overall, as proven by this iconic royal movie, Chris Pine is the very definition of a charming scoundrel, and Anne Hathaway is the epitome of elegance and intelligence. Their chemistry pulls you in without even trying because it’s subtle and natural. They portray their characters with so much love and passion that The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement still holds up, even two decades later.

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement is available to watch on Disney+ in the U.S.

Watch on Disney+