Beauty and the Beast - Movie Buff Sisterhood

Tale as old as time

This time Movie Buff Sisterhood watched Disney's Beauty and the Beast. (Happy Bday, Ashley!)

I love Disney movies, because they are so innocent and the music is amazing. I hadn't watch Beauty and the Beast in 15 years so it was lovely to go back to my childhood memories. 

Why this story is special?

It was fun watching this movie, because so many things spoke to me now that I'm an adult. I got little emotional watching Belle save her father by becoming Beast's prisoner. Also when the Beast let her go because he loved her was pretty nice. He realized that if you love a woman, you're not suppose to control and dominate her. 

On the other hand it felt like a film adaptation of a romantic chic lit novel: a girl feels she doesn't belong, she ends up being a prisoner of a dangerous and bad tempered beast, she makes him fall in love with her, they almost loose each other but in the end love wins aka she fixes him. But I don't want to be cynical. I choose to believe this is a story of courage and learning the meaning of love.

What about you guys, my Movie Buff Sisterhood sisters, why is this story special? 

Ashley: It tells us a multi-fold story. A story on friendship, love, trust, being an outcast, & coming together. Beauty & the Beast is an all time favorite. 

Claudia: There are so many themes that this story explores, but two that really stand out to me are

a. Overcoming your worst fears

b. Finding the treasure others fail to see in others 

c. Sacrifice! She willingly placed herself in the hands of a "savage" beast in order to rescue her father! Wow! To me, there is no greater love than to lay down your life for someone else. I only hope I brave up the courage to not love my life, even unto death!

Belle 

Disney princesses are often little girls' role models. How would you describe Belle as a woman?

Claudia: To me, Belle is a woman who embraces adventure and simplicity. I love this so much! She is not focused on her status quo or the approval of the men and women in her town; she is confident and sure about who she is and what she believes in. She is one who cares about the well-being of her family and household, giving very little attention to herself; this to me is selfless love. Also, she is a dreamer and an avid reader, something I can greatly identify with.

Ashley: I would describe Belle as a strong yet yielded character. She had love for all of her friends & not one was left out. She was willing to overlook the Beast appearance & not too many people are willing to do so in real life. It takes a very strong person to be able to handle challenges thrown at them but still come out fine! 

You might say, Belle is a great role model. 

Our first Disney memories

My first Disney memory is me watching Peter Pan from our tiny TV screen. This happened when I was 4 and we lived in Thailand. I accidentally recorded Thai programs on that VHS and it ruined my life. My heart was broken. I could feel my world collapse when dad told me it was impossible to fix it. I am still traumatized! :D 

Ashley: My first Disney memory is watching "Bambi". As a young child it was quite interesting to watch & of course I can still watch it to this day! Those "older" Disney movies are timeless & something I would want my future children to be able to watch

Claudia: My family would visit Disneyland often, but only when distant family members would come to stay with us. One distinct memory that I have, was when I was around six years old, my whole family took a trip together; there must've been 26 of us all together! It was the happiest of times, because there weren't any quarrels or tensions, everyone was enjoying each other's company; it was a taste of paradise for me. Another sweet memory I can recall, was when my husband and I took our oldest daughter (who was two at the time) to Disneyland for her birthday; we dressed her up in her favorite Cinderella dress. It was very strenuous to get on any rides, because a.she was too small and b. the park was insanely crowded.  Still and all, our little girl had the honor of meeting Cinderella, this to her was unthinkable, so to see her tiny face light up, made the entire trip worth it.

What is your first Disney memory? What do you think, are Disney princesses great role models?

(Next Movie Buff Sisterhood movie: To Kill a Mockingbird 11/3, host: Ashley)

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