A Cinderella Story is a 2004 American romantic comedy film. The film stars Hilary Duff, Jennifer Coolidge, Chad Michael Murray and Regina King and was directed by Mark Rosman. The film's plot revolves around two Internet pen pals (Duff and Murray) who meet at a school dance and fall in love but two different worlds keep them apart. It received negative reviews from critics, but was a commercial success. A 9 year old girl name Samantha "Sam" Montgomery (Hannah Robinson) lives in the San Fernando Valley, California, with her widowed father Hal (Whip Hubley), who runs a popular sports-themed diner. Hal soon marries a vain, self-absorbed woman named Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge). When an earthquake strikes, Hal is killed. Supposedly leaving no will, Fiona receives all of his belongings, including the diner. Eight years later, 17-year old Sam (Hilary Duff) is employed as a worker at the diner and tormented by Fiona and her two dim-witted daughters, Brianna Madeline Zima and Gabriella Andrea...