These were the thoughts racing through my mind as I slowly exited the movie theater. I could not believe how well-done the new live-action Beauty and the Beast was. I was so blown away that I did not want to leave the theater. At one point one of the workers at the theater asked me if I was waiting for a "scene at the end of the credits" and I simply said, "nah, I know there isn't with Beauty and the Beast but I just enjoyed it so much I can't leave yet. I need to attempt to take it all in." That certainly got a strange look.
Having grown up a Disney and Beauty and the Beast fan I had high expectations for this movie. When I was in high school I took a Child Development class where I was first introduced to the original French folktale. I have seen the movie multiple times all throughout my childhood and seen different play adaptations. I was excited and ready to see how this adaptation would do. What would they change and which route would they follow? The more research you do about this original tale the more you can see how far they progressed in their retelling as this is truly a "tale as old as time."
One of the original goals of the folklore was to help young girls cope with the idea of arranged marriages. Such an interesting fact considering the new adaptation starred Emma Watson who is famous for starting a UN organization called HeforShe which is all about the empowerment of women. It is Emma Watson's role as Belle that truly transforms this movie into a beautiful feminist film, despite taking place in a context before the rise of the feminist movement. Emma shows the audience how much of a great feminist model Belle is for young girls.
Spoilers below:
This model is shown all throughout the film, but one of the most direct examples is near the beginning of the film. We learn that in this adaptation, unlike the original cartoon, Belle is the inventor. She invents a washing machine so that she can spend more time reading and teaching others how to read and less time doing what would have been considered "women's work." The movie does an excellent job portraying how little the village she lived in had. The grand library she visits in the original Disney cartoon was now portrayed to be a small church with a tiny shelf of maybe 7 books. So Belle creates this washing machine and then is seen teaching a young girl to read. Of course this wonderful scene is short-lived because as soon as the villagers notice what is going on they stop her, destroy her machine, and make comments about how they don't need "another girl learning to read." As if the only purpose for that girl is to marry and have children, not that marriage and raising a family are bad pursuits, but she should be allowed more than that provincial life. She should be given equal opportunity with the boys of the village.
There are so many incredible themes throughout the film. There is the theme of hospitality and showing love to others. This is the main lesson that the Prince needs to learn. This is a reminder to all of us, especially in this current political climate, that we are called to be hospitable. To welcome in the stranger, the poor, the widow, the destitute. I was even reminded of the verse in Hebrews which says, "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2, NIV). If the Beast would have known this from the start then everything could have been avoided. But it is a lesson for us. Let us not be like the Prince and turn those away who are in need, but let us help all out of love. This is our calling.
Beauty and the Beast was spectacular! The music was great with both old and new songs. The acting was phenomenal. But most of all the themes were what made it more than just a nice, fun remake, but a great message for all!
