Rescuing Love

Beauty and the Beast is explored further in this great post from guest blogger, Abi Christian. This is her second post for Disnerd Adventures. Note: The embedded TED talk is about 20 minutes long, but well worth the time!

Not surprisingly, Belle’s nose-in-the-book, head-in-the-clouds daydreaming made her my favorite Disney character growing up. To shy, middle-of-the-family, plain-looking little girls everywhere (ok, I was adorable until the second grade), Belle was quality proof that unconventional and quietly quirky were indeed beloved traits (way before the wave of Zooey Deschanel indie films).

A heroine so intelligent and independent is reason enough to love the tale of Beauty and the Beast. Seeing it again, though, I was equally drawn to the Beast. Don’t we all—in our more honest moments—examine the beastly tendencies within ourselves and ache to know that a parent, a friend, a lover, even a chipped-tooth tea cup could see “something there” that’s worth knowing, even loving?

As I paid more attention to the Beast, the requirements of the spell in particular stood out. Not only did the Beast have to get past his own self-centeredness, someone had to love him back.

Think about that for a moment.

How in the world—enchanted or not—do you get anyone to love you?

If we knew the answer, there would be far less heartbreak and separation and disunity. Families would be whole, friends would keep in touch, lovers would stay, and romantic comedies would finally reflect reality. This rose-wielding enchantress is absurd. Change yourself? Difficult and challenging but put the pedal to the metal and you can probably do it by your 21st birthday.

Get someone to love you? It’s too much to ask, lady.

To love anyone is to be placed in a terrifying position of vulnerability. As Laura pointed out, the Beast’s actual transformation happens a few scenes before his physical transformation, when he releases Belle from captivity. The Beast has done his part. He has loved. And as far as he knows, he’s going to stay a Beast. A Beast that knows love, but a Beast nonetheless.

I’ve been reflecting lately on vulnerability in my life, somewhat inspired by a fabulous TED talk by Brené Brown (this is my second blog post raving about her; she’s that good). I want to be brave enough to offer love, even if I’m the first to do so and there are no guarantees, even if I remain beastly.



But the spell makes me wonder about the other side of relationships, of returning love offered to you. Unlike the majority of Disney films where the heroine is saved by the prince, Belle’s love rescues the Beast, not just from physical deformity, but from the uncertainty and fear that vulnerability brings.

Vulnerability, says Brené Brown, is the birthplace of joy. This joy flows out of relationship, of people being honest with each other. Belle’s returned love is affirming and encouraging to the Beast. It’s a beautiful gift.

I wonder where love has been offered to me and I have not reciprocated in the fullest way that I could, where I didn’t realize that my holding back kept another trapped in deformity. I wonder where my beastliness has resulted in someone’s story remaining unfinished, still waiting for the spell to break.

It’s as much for others' sake as our own that we love.

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Abi is a dreamer, a writer, and a sucker for fairy tales and sassy heroines. She blogs on art and good people at www.offthefrontporch.wordpress.com.

Fashion Update #3: Beauty & the Beast

This week was super fun! I created some new outfits that I'd never thought to wear before. Also, how do you like my haircut? :)

Belle: I went with a Peasant Belle look; Evening Gown Belle is a bit too fancy for my wardrobe. (I do have a yellow dress, and I'm saving it for Jane in Tarzan!). This dress is actually a light denim material, but I think it's close enough.

Beast: I've actually never worn this blue wrap sweater with a collared shirt underneath, so this was a new combination for me. It's very preppy. My shoes are kind of old and torn, but I thought they had a sort of "beastly" fur look. Appearance #2 of my new yellow tank!

 

Fifi (aka Babette): My coworkers told me I looked much too conservative for Fifi, but I told them I was the feather duster version, who's basically a stick. Although my skirt is kind of fluffy, I realized it's actually my hair that resembles the feathers, haha. Also, I'm kind of loving this new headband I just got.

 

Gaston: I think this one might be my favorite from this week! Villains are fun. You can't see it well in the picture but I even have a golden yellow shirt underneath my red shirt, which should look familiar. I captured his outfit almost exactly. Except I'm lacking some guns. And chest hair.

Serving Sidekicks

I discovered this guy who does really cute Disney illustrations! Check out his flickr site!

I've always felt that if I were ever in a story, I'd most likely be a sidekick and not the heroine. Blame it on my middle child complex.

In Beauty & the Beast, the entire household of sidekicks runs the gamut of personalities. There's Cogsworth the clock, tightly wound and controlling, and the suave and charming candlestick, Lumière. Mrs. Potts is warm and comforting like teapots usually are, and her son Chip is naive yet adorable. (Does anyone else find it a bit disturbing that Mrs. Potts, a plump gray-haired woman, has a son who looks like he's about 6? Not to mention the two dozen other "brothers and sisters" sleeping in the cupboard!)

As I watched the movie this time around, I was intrigued by how these castle servants cope with being turned into household items. The Beast, as ugly and scary as he is, remains at least a living breathing being. But the others are transformed into pieces of furniture and appliances! I wonder if they missed simple things like, well, having arms, legs or fingers. Or being able to taste food. I think that would be a biggie for me.

While the Beast responds to his curse with anger and despair, the servants remain surprisingly patient and optimistic. They gently encourage the Beast to extend hospitality towards Belle when she first arrives. They coach him in behaving less like an animal and more like a man. They never mention that they too, suffer from the Beast's actions.

Despite having every reason to resent the Beast, they genuinely seem to be on his side, trying their best to help him in a bad situation. They believe that there's still something good in him.

We take this for granted because they're "official Disney sidekicks"--by definition they are supposed to be supportive and helpful. But,when I think about the hand they have been dealt (or uh, lack thereof I guess), I'm astonished by how caring they really are throughout the story.

If I ever do find myself in the sidekick role of someone else's story, I hope that my attitude will be like that of Cogsworth, Lumière, Mrs. Potts and the rest of the enchanted servants. I hope that I will let go of my own selfish wants and do all I can to be an optimistic cheerleader, a thoughtful giver of advice, and a selfless friend.

#30: Beautiful Change

Beauty & the Beast, 1991
watched April 1, 2012

After my critique of our last heroine/princess, the character of Belle in this "tale as old as time" is refreshingly welcomed. In some ways, she and Ariel share quite a few similarities. They're both dreamers, longing for adventure and fulfillment in life. Ariel collects artifacts to escape from reality; Belle reads books. These things seem to keep them from being fully embraced by their community. Both of these women come from single father households.

However, Belle's one vastly different trait is her loyalty to said father. We do not see in her the rebellious, selfish spirit that drives Ariel to poor choices. Instead, Belle supports old Maurice's somewhat unconventional life, and when it's in danger, she willingly sacrifices her own for his health and safety.

That moment in the story occurs quite early on, and as she voluntarily enslaves herself to what is seemingly a vicious monster, Belle already proves she's a worthy heroine. But the plot is just beginning to unfold.

While Belle embodies beauty not only in her physical but also her inner characteristics, the Beast, too, lives up to his character's name in both ways. He is one of the most complex and compelling characters Disney has ever created. Wanting more than anything to return to his human form, he lives trapped in a world of self-hatred and despair, causing a violent temper and irrational demands. The audience simultaneously feels appalled and sympathetic. Yet, as the petals of the enchanted rose peel off, inching the Beast's destiny closer to permanent doom, his anger and violence begin to peel away too. As hints of kindness and compassion emerge from the Beast, the audience, like Belle, begins to care for this tortured soul.

Though the physical transformation of the Beast doesn't occur until the very end (it's probably one of my favorite scenes, if only to laugh at the beams of light emanating from his sprawled toes. I mean, really, it's ridiculous!), the real transformation happens several scenes earlier. When Belle discovers her father is sick and dying, the Beast releases her from his captivity, knowing that he has also let go of his only chance to become human again. In essence, he demonstrates true love by sacrificing his own future happiness, so that Belle can have hers. And although he is still in animal form, this is a complete revolution of the Beast we encounter at the start of the film.

The beauty of this classic story can be found in our title characters. Belle, in her openness to love the unlovable, unknowingly breaking a curse that has held an entire household captive for years. The Beast, in his transformation from a selfish, cruel prince to a gentle and sacrificial friend. In them both, we see that true love means giving up that which is most valued, your future, your happiness, your well-being, for the sake of another. We see that this kind of love changes people. Belle and the Beast provide a glimpse of the ultimate love, shown by one who gave up his very life. That's a tale that is older than time, and it's beautiful, too. It has changed me; it has changed everything.

Fashion Update #2 - Rescuers Down Under

Creating outfits for this movie was a little more challenging because of the lack of human characters. (Can't wait for Lion King, oof.)

Miss Bianca: her main piece of clothing is a light purple shawl/cape thing. I don't know about you but I don't have any capes, purple or otherwise. So I went with this more simple look. I cheated and only wore the white pants for a couple hours since they get dirty so easily. I added the necklace (handmade by my sister!) because I think it's something Miss Bianca would approve of, being as feminine and cute as she is.

Bernard: the main thing to get right for his look is his hat. I didn't have quite the right one, but it's all I had! It was fun to have an excuse to wear it. (Note: red is another common color. You will be seeing this shirt a lot since it's the only red shirt I have!)

Jake: Again, not the right hat, but sort of the right color! I really like how my belt kind of looks like a boomerang. Gives it that extra Australian touch. Also, please excuse the wrinkly dress shirt, I didn't have time to iron it.

#29: Don't judge a mouse by his accent

(c) Disney

Rescuers Down Under, 1990
watched March 25, 2012

As I mentioned, this is the only sequel in the entire canon. Walt Disney was adamantly against sequels, which is why there were none until after his death. I have to agree with Walt on this one; I have yet to see a great Disney sequel. There are many I refuse to watch, on principle.

This one isn't bad, though. Let's be honest here, the Australian setting automatically bumps up Rescuers Down Under's cool factor. Kind of like guys with Australian accents. I mean, hello, Hugh Jackman? Chris Hemsworth?

Anyway. I digress.

This sequel further develops the story arc of our two main characters. In the first film, we see these two seemingly opposite mice meet and work together for the first time. Here in Down Under, they are still very much the odd couple, and yet there is now also mutual trust and affection. Giving Bernard and Bianca a second film provides the implication that they've built a relationship over a period of time, which we don't see in any other romantic stories. It's refreshing, as well as super cute and endearing.

And of course, as in most romantic plots, a threat to the relationship gets thrown into the mix. In this case, that threat comes in the form of a charming kangaroo rat named Jake. He embodies the adventure and suaveness that Bernard most definitely does not. (Not insignificantly, he also has an adorable Australian accent. Ahem...) When Miss Bianca appears to be quite taken with the new guy, only the audience sees Bernard's unwavering affection, and his frustration that he can't find the right moment to express his real intentions.

The most heartwarming line in the movie comes during the climax. Jake and Miss Bianca are trapped and unable to protect Cody, the boy kidnapped by villain poacher McLeach. The golden eagle Marahute's precious eggs are also vulnerable. When Bianca assures Cody that Bernard will help, Jake thinks she's just bluffing to make Cody feel better. But then Bianca's true feelings are revealed:

"You don't know Bernard like I do. He'll never give up!"*

Jake isn't a bad guy, but he is quick to assume that Bernard has nothing to offer. Bianca, on the other hand, sees that underneath his nervous exterior is a brave and determined mouse, reliable and trustworthy. That is the mouse she has grown to love.

In life we're often attracted to external qualities: charisma, good looks...Australian accents. But these are not the things which matter most. Bernard reminds us that the person who may not demand our attention is often the one whose character proves to be the deepest and richest. Bianca reminds us that one must be willing to spend some time in order to discover this treasure of a person.

So give that unassuming person in your life some time and energy. They may surprise you.

(*note: this quote may or may not be a paraphrase. I don't know this movie well enough to quote it word for word!)

Why Rescuers Down Under doesn't count

While this movie was technically released during the Disney Renaissance, I personally don't include it in my version of the list. Why? For a few reasons:

1) Rescuers Down Underis a sequel. In fact, it's the only sequel in the entire Disney animated canon. (Unless you count the latest Winnie the Pooh movie that came out last year, which I don't, because its story doesn't necessarily follow the '77 Pooh sequentially. Also, there are several other Pooh & Friends movies that were released straight to video between those years).

2) It is not a musical. All the other 9 Renaissance films are musicals - including Tarzan, though its characters do not sing. In my completely unbiased opinion, the music of the Renaissance is the primary feature that makes them the best films of the whole series.

3) It did not garner the same box office success as the other 9 films. While 8 out of the 9 other Renaissance films made over $100 million in their initial release (Hercules being the exception, which made $99.1 million), Rescuers Down Under made less than $28 million.

thanks to boxofficemojo.com for data

4) I haven't seen it a gazillion times. Okay, so this is a fairly unscientific reason, but this is my blog. I make up my own rules here.

So, although I do not count it as a Renaissance film, I'm still treating it as such since it's technically on the list. I just won't have as much to say since I don't know it that well, and, honestly, there isn't a lot to say about it!