Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)
đź•‘ 4 minute read || Updated August 27, 2024 || by Daniel Norther
9/10
Of all the Disney movies, this one is the most important, and the most relatable.
I laughed. I cried. I want to be a better man. Treat yourself to a good movie. This became a part of my oldest childhood memories, along with all the other kids born in the 1990s. Everyone needs to see it, since it’s a fundamental part of our planet’s history. If a person hasn’t seen it, then reading reviews is a waste of their time. Don’t read a review about this one. See it, then join the conversation.
When you think about taking your daughter to go and see a movie, you hope beyond hope that it’s a movie as high-quality and lovable as “Beauty and the Beast”. If fathers of every generation can catch a break, then there will be a merciful re-make of this film every 25 years.
When your son complains about how “girly” this movie is, just tell him that he’ll appreciate Belle’s beauty when he’s older. Every man needs to learn what women love, and why. A man who hasn’t seen this movie, or some variation, is tragically out of the loop.
This is a stunning animated masterpiece. The kind that never ages. That magic flower is going to be in full bloom even after the sun dies.
A bad prince was cursed, along with his people, forever locked away in an enchanted kingdom, until he can win a woman’s affection. This is obviously a metaphor for the beautiful society that we can have if men and women treat each other kindly, and the movie is extremely heavy with metaphor but never weighed down.
Belle. One of the most beautiful characters ever. Definitely the hottest Disney princess. I’ve been writing books since I was 15 years old! My father (who was born into wealth) abused me and wanted to turn me into a monster! Do you have any idea what this story-loving bookworm fantasy-princess dream-girl does to me?! She’s a woman with countless dreams, who wants to be free. She wants to rise to every potential and find endless worlds. The Beast learns that the more he wishes for her to be free, the freer he becomes too. Possession is love’s opposite, and the more we know it, the happier we are. It’s like this whole movie is a weapon against the sicknesses of narcissism and sadomasochism. Oh wait! That’s EXACTLY what this movie is.
Lessons for Men
You know, in a world where so many women get raped, ogled, and devoured by man’s bestial appetites, this is the story we need. If a man spends all his energy pulling a woman against her will, then no one will pull him to safety before his fall. Look at how Gaston died.
Why don’t we try being nicer to women? And if she doesn’t want us, then we let her go without a fight. A good woman can change everything. We don’t have to be perfect for her, we just have to be good. If a man loves a woman, then her freedom is his joy. The sadistic lust in Gaston is first his prison, then his death.
A woman goes through hell to grow up, and then she has to put herself in a vulnerable place if she wants to have children. She’s looking for a man who can be tame when it matters most. If a man hasn’t tried being a gentleman to the world around him, then he hasn’t even tried to practice the very thing that’s going to set him free. Free from bad women! Free from his own demons! Free in general!
LeFou is the ugly little dumbass who hangs around Gaston. He’s Gaston’s true face. Like attracts like. When Gaston looks in the mirror, he sees the tiny, cowardly, weak LeFou. LeFou is the disgusting twerp every man can turn into if he fails to restrain his demons. Strip away the superficial shell, and Gaston turns into LeFou. Muscles and mating instinct are not real power. Gaston has no power. Don’t be a fool.
Lessons for Women
Reading books and wishing for more is okay. Complacency is stupid anyway. Build that entrepreneurial spirit, that go-getter attitude. If he’s a tool, then ditch him. Don’t let beasts scare you. Stand up for yourself and the ones you care about. See the good in someone only if it’s real.
I always get the sense that these movies end too soon, since we don’t see the relationship in later stages. It’s true. They end too fast. But we do see the storms and the pleasant days. We did get to see Belle at her saddest, and Beast at his angriest and most vulnerable. Beast isn’t a perfect angel advocating for human rights and fighting against child hunger. Beast is just a man. Belle, from her imagination to her selflessness, is a better person than him. Some men are better, and some women are better. Belle just happens to be magnificent. And it’s okay to have high standards. If we can wish to do more, then we must do more.
Read my review of the 2017 version here: “How does a franchise last forever?”
Written without AI
