<P> A Cinderella Story is a 2004 American teen romantic comedy film directed by Mark Rosman, written by Leigh Dunlap and stars Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray, Jennifer Coolidge and Regina King . A modernization of the classic Cinderella folklore, the film's plot revolves around two Internet pen pals who plan to meet in person at their high school's Halloween dance . </P> <P> The film was released on July 16, 2004 . While it received negative reviews from critics, the film was a box office success, grossing $70 million against its $19 million budget, and spawned three straight - to - video sequels . </P> <P> Sam Montgomery lives in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, with her widowed father Hal, who runs a popular sports - themed diner . Feeling Sam needs a mother, Hal marries a vain gold digger named Fiona, who has socially - awkward fraternal twin daughters, Brianna and Gabriella . During the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Hal is killed when he runs to save Fiona . Due to him having supposedly left no will, Fiona receives all of his belongings, including the house, the diner, and to her dismay, Sam . </P> <P> Eight years later, Sam is employed as a waitress at the diner to save money to attend Princeton University, but she is regularly tormented by her step - family, who constantly insult her and treat her as if they were popular, despite being regarded as obnoxious . Even worse, Fiona, in her vanity, uses the inheritance to live as if they were insanely rich, including spending on minor facial surgeries, and even refuses to save water during the ongoing drought . She has also transformed Hal's beloved diner into something befitting of her own image, demands that salmon be served and included in over half the dishes and takes Sam's earnings . Sam struggles to cope socially at North Valley High School, where queen bee cheerleader Shelby Cummings also torments her and calls her "Diner Girl", along with other members of the popular clique . </P>

What is the setting of a cinderella story