I think I cried when I saw the first preview of the new live action Beauty and the Beast. In fact, my first thought was, “If this is all they do from the movie, it’s worth it.”
Belle’s story is my favorite. Even as a 14 year old (when I first saw the movie!), I identified with the book loving girl who wanted adventure more than she could tell. She’s always been my princess.
So, when I sat down to watch the new movie with my sister-in-law this week? I think I had chills. Like happy, excited, I-am-14-years-old-again chills. And I’m pretty sure my chills and grins and heart palpitations didn’t stop all the way through the movie. It was gorgeous in every way.
Let’s talk about it in more detail, shall we? If you’re new here, you should know I like to do movie reviews to help parents have important conversations with their kids based on the themes in the movie. See my other movie reviews for more info.
Here’s a few fun things I want to talk about:
I want adventure in the great wide somewhere…
Walt Disney wanted Disneyland to take you inside his movies. It’s why I love Disney theme parks. I am immersed in magic and fantasy and drama. This movie had that same feeling. The Bonjour song was like I had actually stepped into that quiet village. I almost physically felt like I was there. I want to go back!
I know almost every line of the cartoon movie but at every turn of this movie, I was seeing it for the first time. Even though they used much of the exact same lines and lyrics, it felt new and gorgeous. (My fave? “Madam Gaston, can’t you just see it?!” with the head covering and all!)
In some weird way it was like Emma Watson was letting me live vicariously through her and experience what I’ve always wanted–to actually BE in that movie.
But what’s dinner without a little music?
Who knew Emma Watson could sing?!
There were new songs and new verses to songs and I loved them all. Gaston’s song was a combination of lovely antlers-in-all-of-my-decorating, Broadway’s Mary Poppins’ Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Tangled’s village scene. (If you got that, we are literally best friends.)
Be Our Guest. Y’all. So good.
What’s there, mama? I’ll tell you when you’re older.
So, there were a few things that might cause you to lift an eyebrow or two.
- Gaston is gross. I mean, he just is. He leaves someone for dead, he lies, he is lustful–he’s really just despicable. Talking to your kids about selfishness and arrogance–specifically someone who looks (so) nice on the outside is easy here.
- LaFou. This is where the big controversy comes in. It’s hard to decide if LaFou’s devotion to Gaston is Chester to Gaston’s Spike or something almost romantic. Most of what LaFou says is completely silly and basic buffoonery. However, knowing that director Bill Condon said LaFou would have an “exclusively gay moment” in this movie, makes you look at everything he does with a different lens. I doubt most kid will see his actions through that lens, though.
- During the attack on the castle, the wardrobe attacks three men with ribbons and ladies clothes. Two of the men are horrified and run away. The third is decidedly happy with his new attire, blows her a kiss (or does he smile? I can’t remember.) and runs away while the wardrobe sings, “Be free!” Again, based on your lens, you’ll see this differently. Knowing this was coming, it felt like a statement. But. It looked like silliness from a million other cartoons.
- LaFou’s dance. At the very end, everyone is dressed in their finest, in their happy couples and family groups, dancing in the Beast’s castle and they are all doing one of those pass-the-partner dances (IT IS GORGEOUS and just WAIT till you see Belle’s dress). Suddenly, we see Lafou dancing and is surprisingly passed to a male partner (the guy who liked his new clothes from the previous scene). The two men look surprised, serious and happy to be dancing with one another. In hindsight (and with the foresight, too of knowing this scene was going to happen), it felt significant. It was a very brief, 2 second scene, but it was obvious.
- The wolves and the Beast. There aren’t any new scary scenes. The wolves scenes and the Beast-roaring scenes are almost exactly the same as the movie only it all looks real! So, if your kids are easily frightened, those parts may be too much for them. // Although, in one way, the Beast was a bit less scary because he looked a bit more human. Did you see how they created him? So interesting.
(I wrote more about this LaFou controversy if you want to read it. It’s not really about LaFou. More about how to parent and…well, you’ll have to read it yourself.)
Tale as Old as Time…
If none of that bothers you and you decide to see the movie, here’s some great conversations you can have that will help you weave God’s Word into this movie:
—When Beast is returned to life and transformed, Belle doesn’t recognize him at first. She has to look into his eyes to know it’s him.
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and talk about how the Beast became a new man–from his actions to his body. Tell a story about you before and after you became a Christian–what big changes happened to you? Remind your kids that when they give their lives to Jesus, he changes them as remarkably as the Beast!
Activity: Dress up one member of your family in as many crazy clothes and layers as possible. Then time him to see how long it takes him to take them all off (except for the final layer, of course)! Talk about the difference between that family member with all the clothes and the transformation without!
—At the end of the Beast’s backstory, the narrator asks, “Who could ever learn to love a Beast?” And of course, the next person we see is Belle. The important part of this question is the word learn. Belle learns to love Beast. She doesn’t do it right away, she’s repulsed by his haggard appearance. Soon, she swallows her pride and begins to look at him for who he is–the beauty within.
Read 1 Samuel 16:7 (and really the whole chapter to hear the whole story of David being chosen as King) and talk about how God looks at our heart, not our outward appearance.
Activity: Hide an object inside a box (or an old tissue box) and let your kids try to guess what it is only be feeling it with their hands. No peeking! Talk about how hard it is to recognize something without sight.
—Belle asks the servants why they were enchanted even though it was the Beast’s selfishness that caused the curse. Mrs. Potts tells her that they saw how the Beast’s father turned him into a selfish person, just like himself. She says, “We did nothing to stop him.”
Read Luke 10:25-37. Notice the two people who did nothing versus the one man who helped. Talk about which is easier–helping or ignoring? Discuss the better outcome–helping or ignoring? Remind your kids that doing something hard might not be easy, but it’s what Jesus asks us to do.
Activity: Act out the Good Samaritan story but pretend you are characters from Beauty and the Beast. Who would be the priest? the Levite? the Samaritan? the beaten man? the innkeeper? Try your best imitations and have fun!
—Belle begins to teach a little girl from the village how to read. When the villagers see it, they scoff and even throw all Belle’s clean laundry into the middle of the road. They can’t understand and don’t believe girls should know how to read.
Read Galatians 3:26-29. Talk about how Jesus sees his followers as equal. Thank God that we are all one in Jesus!
Activity: Draw a giant #1 on a piece of paper (a big bubble letter would be best). Let everyone in your family write their name inside the #1. Talk about how we are ONE in Jesus.
—Belle and the Beast begin the movie as enemies. Beast takes Belle’s father and her freedom. She is disgusted by him. They slowly begin to change and remarkably fall in love with each other. Read 1 Corinthians 13 and compare how Belle and the Beast act to the definition of love laid out in this chapter.
Activity: Make a poster with all the definitions of love listed down one side. Then write examples you want to do to show that description of love OR write ways you see others showing love in that way. Keep it up to encourage everyone to show love no matter how hard it might be.
Beauty is found within.
I loved the movie. The anticipation of seeing how they would treat a favorite song or scene was thrilling. This movie is the same as the original but it is more. It let me experience what I’ve always wanted–being in one of my favorite movies!
The whole LaFou debacle is something to think about. I’m honestly still a little unsure where I stand about it. I am going to let my kids see the movie as I think, on the whole the scenes are subtle, minimal and peppered with a good dose of silliness.
My kids are 8 and 11. So, think of your own kids, their ability to discern, their capacity for scariness, etc. I didn’t let my kids see Brave or Princess and the Frog. And they lived. I’ve also had many conversations about good and evil, family and rebellion because of Disney movies. Use what you can and what you’ve got to parent, love and lead your kids to Jesus and His Word!
Be our guest…
My friend Mary is in love with Belle as much as I am. She wrote a great review and a bit about the LaFou thing, too. But even better? She’s written a devotional based on themes found in Beauty and the Beast! HOW MUCH DO I LOVE THIS?? Well, I love it so much, she let me write the foreword for the book!
You can preorder Tales as Old As Time: Lessons in God’s Love on Amazon. And if you do, you’ll get these GORGEOUS lock screens and a pretty coloring sheet for free! (Just email proof of purchase to marycarver [at] gmail.com to get your freebies!)
I attended Beauty and the Beast as a member of the press. All opinions and thoughts are mine. Photos belong to the Disney company.
Your activities are SO good. I love the way you used this to create ideas for families!
Also – YES to the way the movie immerses us INSIDE the story. It really was all-encompassing, and I was (as I’ve mentioned because I can’t stop gushing) enchanted from beginning to end!
Thank you for sharing my devotional!
So you condone the normalization of homosexuality? OK. Unfollowing you on FB right now. I don’t understand all these Christian women being led astray regarding this movie. They *want* you to react like. It’s NOT OK.
I wonder if you look in your heart and life if you can see any sin? When I look at mine, I certainly do. I fail daily, but I know Jesus covers it all. You don’t know me and I don’t know you, but I do know Jesus. I know homosexuality is not God’s plan, but neither is hate, judgment or any other sin. How are others to see Christ, the living, breathing, loving Savior come to earth, if we constantly criticize and judge each other? I urge us all to stop the hypocrisy of sin hierarchy and simply love God and love others. Choose what you will about media you introduce to your family, it is your God-given authority. Love covers a multitude of sins.
Bethany, thank you for such grace-filled, truthful words. I so appreciate them.
~Amanda
Oh, indeed, I am a sinner. That doesn’t mean I want my child to be indoctrinated by Hollywood to accept homosexuality as an acceptable way of life. I do not judge homosexuals. But I don’t in any way condone it. Allowing children to see this movie lets them believe that homosexuality is OK. This is about a vehicle for entertainment being used to indoctrinate your children. It is not about judging a real person’s sins in life. You are OK-ing this type of indoctrination. As a Christian writer, this is not OK. And it’s very disappointing for a long-time follower.
Unfortunately, we have to be prepared. I was watching the cooking channel with my 8 year old son who attends a Christian school and 2 men kissed. I was totally unprepared for it and didn’t have the “heads-up” on TV anymore. Now there’s a covergirl commercial with a boy wearing and promoting makeup. I do my best to keep my son away for any age-appropraite conversations but there has been 2 time this last month that there was no heads-up. We live in a sinful world and if we walk in the mall, he may see women or men holding hand. His old basketball coaches from a non-christian league were lesbians. I think it’s time for me to address the conversation though the mamma who wants my son to be “sheltered” and still innocent is going to have the conversation regardless. I don’t want to, that’s for sure but the wold is sin and now and though I don’t accept or condone and certainly not encourage, I have to teach him Truth and then Grace. I am scared and don’t know how to bring it up. Mom’s is a battle we have to go in with our Armour of God!
I agree, the media is pushing homosexuality and people are to caught up in feeling good and enjoying worldly pleasure they forget about right and wrong.. very sad day when you lay down your beliefs because you are in love with entertainment… you can not service 2 masters… light and darkness do not coexist
I very much enjoyed this post/review. I also understand the concerns about condoning *any* sin and “normalizing” it. I’m still undecided if I’ll take my 7 year old or not because, like you, Belle is my favorite princess too, and I want to share that with my daughter. I think your insight into ways to discuss and apply scriptural truths is outstanding! I have multiple family members who have chosen lifestyles that I don’t agree with as a Christian and we still love them and spend time with them. I would rather take the opportunity to have these candI’d discussions with my daughter now, then let her learn these things from her “friends” and the world later. Thank you for sharing.
I couldn’t wait for your review! You are awesome!
I loved how your activities are focused towards character building. Thank you for writing this article.
I’ve not read your posts before, but appreciate your candid and thoughtful perspective regarding the questionable ideas presented in this movie. I do find it disturbing that Disney seems to be inserting these ideas more frequently in their TV programs & movies, certainly as a means of subliminally normalizing homosexual behavior to children I wasn’t going to see the movie, but will most likely do so now to observe for myself how this is handled. My children are grown, but there are grandchildren to consider when choosing movies. It is indeed difficult to choose the Godly response to Hollywood’s continual assault on Christian values/Truths.
Unfortunately, we have to be prepared to talk. I was watching the cooking channel with my 8 year old son who attends a Christian school and 2 men kissed. I was totally unprepared for it and didn’t have the “heads-up” on TV anymore. Now there’s a covergirl commercial with a boy wearing and promoting makeup. I do my best to keep my son away for any age-appropraite conversations but there has been 2 time this last month that there was no heads-up. We live in a sinful world and if we walk in the mall, he may see women or men holding hand. His old basketball coaches from a non-christian league were lesbians. I think it’s time for me to address the conversation though the mamma who wants my son to be “sheltered” and still innocent is going to have the conversation regardless. I don’t want to, that’s for sure but the wold is sin and now and though I don’t accept or condone and certainly not encourage, I have to teach him Truth and then Grace. I am scared and don’t know how to bring it up. Mom’s is a battle we have to go in with our Armour of God!
I think you must have lost your mind sugar coating this junk and using scripture to make it ok.
Shame on you !!!
I didn’t think she sugar coated it at all. She was honest about what was being shown and she questioned showing it to younger kids. I so appreciated the insight because I had honestly decided to go see it before I let the kids, now I’m not as scared. They showed two women kissing a couple weeks ago on Supergirl, and it was actually my 12 yr old son who said “oh just fast forward this Mom.”
Thank you, Amanda, for such a thoughtful and honest review. I appreciate your honesty about the issues contained in the movie as well as your insightful suggestions about how to approach discussions with our children. My daughter is 17 and we’ll see the movie together. And, like we’ve done since she was a little girl, we will discuss all the themes and characters. Making these conversations a part of our lives since she was little (even with family-friendly shows like Little House on the Prairie where we had to address the very unChristian behavior of both Nellie and Mrs. Olsen) has been a great way to prepare her for the world she is ever so close to stepping into and arming her with a biblical framework for interacting with people of all backgrounds and beliefs.
All of that to say this — bravo, friend! You have, once again, given parents who choose to see the movie with their children an arsenal of tools to explore what they’ve seen and heard. And you’ve also provided enough honest information to help others determine if this movie is right for their family. Keep on keeping on, Amanda!
I too have gay friends that I love and that I am grateful to have in my life. In my opinion, sin is sin. A gay person is no less qualified for the grace of God than any other. I don’t believe that that is the issue here though. Broad is the road that leads to destruction and our children are being lured, with great intention, down that wayward path. The more we wilfully share this wicked fruit with them, the stronger the tree of destruction will grow. If Disney does not feel repercussions of this statement financially, then their wayward intentions will also continue to grow.
I have raised children who can handle the messaging in this movie. They are old enough and wise enough to discern what is Good. It is not for them that we will not be attending. I hope others will take a long term view on making this decision as well.
The director of this movie did not plan all of the “Jesus moments” that you found BUT he DID plan the homosexual ones.
I am just now discovering your blog (courtesy of the “controversy”),but as usual, God takes ashes and makes it beauty. Thanks so much for your incredible insight and open conversation. I appreciate that love is all over your post. I absolutely believe in my heart Jesus would have dined with homosexuals. He would have breathed love and truth for them. Just as he does for every single one of us. I pray that as homosexuality continues to become more open and “accepted”, my children will be armed with truth AND love, and frankly understanding. Understanding can only come with honest and real conversations. Our children need to be ready to take the gauntlet, and it’s questions and resources like these that will make it happen. Very well done.