Therapist Reacts to BEAUTY & THE BEAST (Animated)

[@Agfond1234]

I do like how the witch turned them into how they saw each other. Like his servants saw the prince as a beast and the prince saw his servant as objects to serve him.

[@tobehonest4833]

Great observation!

[@dootersnooter5343]

Bruh. I didn't even think about this.

[@puppeiluv826]

Nice

[@rosekopelowitz5069]

DANG

[@msk-qp6fn]

Touche'

[@bpsara]

You technically cannot buy love with a library, but you can show your love and appreciation to someone by giving them a deeply personal and meaningful gift. And a library to a bookworm is kind of an ultimate life goal (source: me, a bookworm)

[@ShinoriDelfrim]

😱 Yes! Hello fellow bookworm 📚

[@CubeyDexter]

If anyone would appreciate my hobby just half as much as the beast belles love for books, I would die instantly of unconditional love! I swear (greetings a bookworm myself)

[@ariellak4867]

As a fellow bookworm, this was my dream as a child. And also one of the reasons I could never get into e-readers. I am working on building my own personal library & being able to lend out/share books with people makes me very happy.

[@GrandisSilva]

Yes, and the fact that he is so, so happy by her reaction. He's giving her something he knows she'll like, and she gets to experience his joy at doing a nice thing. So she sees him start to care about her and respect her, which shows her how much he's growing.

[@HopeGardner3amed]

Make sure it is cool in summer and warm in winter. (Had one that I never used because it was too hot/cold.)

[@qwmx]

Belle is forgiving to the sheep that ate part of the page of her book and is irritated by Gaston throwing her book into a mud puddle because she understands sheep eat anything, adults generally understand the concept of respecting people's properties.

[@wendychavez5348]

That's a very good point! Besides, the sheep didn't bite into any words on the page, but Gaston's mud got all over everything.

[@laryb.5136]

@@jennifermathew1285 wow, you are strong, but I do hope you find a solution to this and not allow yourself to always get hurt like that :( is there a way to teach him not to do it? Maybe as he gets older? Or maybe give him space when he gets angry?

[@taliw7736]

Lol yep

[@plipplop1769]

I still agree that her reaction was muted though. I definitely don't love books nearly as much as Belle, but I'd be so down if a book I bought got ripped. I'm in perpetual annoyance after a book I have got a stain on it, I couldn't even imagine what it's like to Belle who has so few books. And if some asshole threw my book in mud YOU BEST BET HE WOULDN'T JUST GET A NASTY LOOK. I'm straight punching him and never talking to him again.

[@Kaiser8513]

@@plipplop1769 Honestly I kind of feel it is a little worse since it was likely another library book and not actually her property based off her response about repeatedly picking up the same book while returning others so anyone else who checks that book out will also see the torn pages. Also goes to show Gaston wasn't paying attention to the book as he flipped through the pages claiming no pictures were in it despite us just having witnessed the sheep bite a page with a photo on it but who knows if the other side of that page had anything important to the book's story that is now missing.

[@joannap8769]

And Belle didn’t directly “teach him how to love”. She is not going out of her way to “fix” him. She just held him accountable for his bad behavior and HE changed himself. She called him out, it changed his perspective, and he improved himself. Then and only then is when she started warming up to him. Thank you for pointing out that the nuance to this story.

[@juliaschurmann358]

There is a pride and prejudice feel to it for me in that way. They call each other out, consider the other person's perspective and work on themselves accordingly.

[@soyaliovee]

@@juliaschurmann358 I was surprised that I am surprised knowing this lol, I have always loved B&TB as a child and I was a Jane Austen fan because of P&P but it never occurred to me that way😂 thx for pointing that out!

[@Rosefire]

@@juliaschurmann358 Belle also reminded me of Elizabeth Bennett. At the start of the book Lizzie doesn't state her ideal man, but the readers know she isn't interested in pompous cousin Mr. Collins or rude first-impressions Darcy. Belle starts the film avoiding Gaston, because she instinctively knows he isn't right for her because he doesn't respect her (or her father). Lizzie gradually sees Darcy through different eyes, as Belle learned to find the man within the Beast.

[@babybug6462]

No and he gave her that freedom to choose what she wants he felt bad sending her father out so he gave her the mirror to help her find him

[@The_Emilala]

And notice how differently Beast and Gaston react when she calls them out. Beast has a bit of a grump but immediately goes into getting help from his servants to improve himself. Gaston gets angry as soon as she calls him a monster and calls her crazy (classic narcissist behaviour)

[@stormromera240h6]

“Unlike Gaston who is a jerk because he loves himself too much, Beast is awful because he hates himself,” Damn, this statement hit me like a truck and I’m not even a minute in

[@MumblesZombie]

Right? What do I do?. Just be like ".. eh. I'm alright"

[@ShadowyFox_86]

He's SUCH a sad individual. When he faces off against Gaston (when he thinks Belle is gone for good), the sadness in his eyes is heartbreaking.

[@indigoziona]

The moment where Gaston goes "Did you honestly think she would want you when she has SoMeOnE LiKe Me?!" And you know that punches Beast right in the inferiority complex even though we'd all prefer a gentlemanly if furry beast man to bloody Gaston the narcissist.

[@jclyntoledo]

But wasn't that already obvious?!...

[@jeffmuller1489]

I got brainwashed into hating myself over my lifetime. My father, my X, my sister, then there are the legitimate failures and just being human backing all that up.. now I have a wife who loves my more than I ever thought possible and I am healing and believing that I am actually lovable. I'm still struggling with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and even my own acceptance, but I know the truth, and eventually the Truth will set me free. ❤️

[@Blackjack1317]

Belle: "Dad, do you think I'm weird?" Dad: "No, darling, why would you think that?" Belle: "Well, the entire village just sang a song about it" Dad: "Oh yeah. I saw them rehearsing it, earlier today"

[@breaksnakereel402]

Now that's a WEIRD ass village.

[@junjunjamore7735]

But she sang too.

[@JuMiKu]

@@junjunjamore7735 Well yes. They wrote a song just for her. The least she could do was show up for rehearsal every week on Tuesday. Next week they will start on the song for that happy guy with the pig.

[@HimynameisJermHicks]

That basically defines what it's like to live in a small town. I remember, the town I grew up in, Stevenson, Washington that only had 1,500 people.

[@Nova7o9]

Lol!! Thanks for the laugh 😂

[@teamaang7915]

It wasn't so much the 'act of giving a library' that was special to Belle. It was because in spite of everyone making her feel like a freak for loving books so much it showed he was actively supporting her reading, making her feel truly heard and seen. Also because he knew she loved to read and had to give up books for the rest of her life to live with him and this broke his heart. making her 10x more valued than Gaston

[@livik9582]

He saw something she loves and gave her something based on that. He took the time to care and my god, my heart

[@tendigitnumber]

I want to add that I don't think that gifting her with the library was a means of "I want this girl to fall in love with me, what does she like?" Instead, he says it's because he wants to do something NICE for her. Yeah, he is saying it because he's feeling something he's never felt before, but to me it always came off as wanting to show appreciation for Belle rather than I BRING YOU PRESENT PLS LOVE ME So yeah, it is effectively because he wants her to be happy. He starts doing a lot of things to try and make the castle and life there more comfortable for her too, putting in the effort simply because she's important to him. And that effort is there, Belle sees it, acknowledges it, and is receptive to it. That being receptive is what allows real love to start happening. Also, I love that they actually do sit down and read together. A shared love of literature is a thing they have in common and it's super cute that they spend that time just enjoying a good book by the fire.

[@aaronpulley7528]

Gifts are one of the 5 love languages. Maybe it's not a good reason for Belle to fall in love with him, but it's a valid way for him to express his feelings. (Even if it's possibly a bit over-the-top.)

[@Wuffskers]

I think it's similar to when someone gives a gift that's very specific to your interests, while yes it's something material technically it does show that they know and understand you, they pay attention and listen to you and care about what you are passionate about and they took the time to think about a gift or gesture catered specifically to you. Sometimes the implicit aspects of a gift speaks volumes about how they see you and care about you that can mean a lot more than the gift itself.

[@finlayarts2686]

Also, in a deleted scene that makes it into the extra song "Human Again" in the extended animated version and has it's own segment in the Broadway play, Beast has a huge character building moment. Before we see him always forcing his will on others but for the first time he lowers his guard by admitting he'd never truly learned/ lost the ability to read after he gifts Belle the library to make her happy. Belle offers to teach him and soon they bond over their love of books. In the Broadway play Belle even falls asleep while Beast was reading to her but he's so invested in the story that it's not until he has a question that he realizes she'd been asleep propped against his shoulder. Instead of waking her to answer his question he gently moves her into a more comfortable position before returning to reading the book. It may seem small and insignificant but it really shows the huge breakthrough for both of them in the story.

[@patchie5044]

I love the subtitles referring Gaston as “No-Belle prize winner” 🤣

[@castlenovelist97BOOKS]

I laughed more than I should've because I've studied this story for a long time and this story is very nostalgic.

[@eunbitpark5251]

Brilliant!!! 😂😂

[@cylvichan4489]

"No Belle? 🥺 "

[@mareinachico8777]

“No-Belle Prize Winner” made me cackle so loud that I actually spooked my cat 😂😂😂

[@devinreis5811]

Love the play on words.

[@cindyhutchins9216]

I think Gaston wants belle for his wife because she's the one thing he can't have. That drives narcissists insane.

[@koolkat2867]

Being saying that for years:)

[@msk-qp6fn]

And in general that is something many masculine energy filled people adore

[@cindyhutchins9216]

@@msk-qp6fn I am recovering from narcissist and psychopathic abuse. I knew I was in recovery when I watched Lucifer and all my friends were talking about how dreamy he was. I said " he's a narcissistic ass!" They said well, yeah? Girls are conditioned to fall for these guys.

[@cindyhutchins9216]

Stupid phone. I hate my spell check

[@lemurlover7975]

@@cindyhutchins9216 probably its better to look for Christian things like Touched By An Angel :) the angels all have healthy relationships with each other and God and those who they are trying to help. Try going to Life Church Online ... and stay away from things named Lucifer/Demon/Satan etc. Cinderella's stepmother's cat was named Lucifer and you can see how she turned out.

[@vulcanhumor]

The other thing about the wolf fight is that afterward, *Belle almost leaves.* She isn't just immediately like "Oh he saved me, I should take care of him now." She almost gets on the horse to leave him in the snow. She's still upset about the confrontation in the West Wing, but she CHOOSES to go back and help him anyway. It doesn't feel like Beast "bought" her sympathy or that she only did it because she owed him. He put himself at risk for her, and she decides that despite everything, that means he's deserving of compassion.

[@daniellemusella1594]

@vulcanhumor Yeah. Totally. It's clear in her facial expression: "I could -- no. No. I'm better than that. Papa raised me better than that. I have to help him." (10/13/2021)

[@nkbujvytcygvujno6006]

Yep, the reason she makes that choice is definitely more of her remembering her personal sense of morality than her being cowed or coerced into it somehow.

[@glorialiedtke8931]

Isn't it manipulation 101 to appeal to the victim's compassion and conscience

[@GerdiHono]

@@glorialiedtke8931 but at some point don't people have to decide as well when to use their own kindness and compassion? Like I get what you mean but at some point we need to exercise these things of our own free will as well.

[@summerrose8110]

@@glorialiedtke8931 Adam didn't manipulate her AT ALL. He LITERALLY CHANGED HIS ATTITUDE AND RESPECTS BELLE. STOP VILLAINIZING HIM WITH BULLSHIT.

[@kathryng13]

I think the fact that Gaston is a prolific hunter and collector of “trophies” speaks to his character as well as his intentions towards Belle. We are introduced to him hunting, and when declares his interest in Bell he says “I’ve got my sights set on that one” while pointing his gun at her. Not very subtle. She’s the most beautiful girl in town, and so he needs to capture her, hunt her, trap her, etc. just like the animals he hunts, he doesn’t care about her for what she is, only for what she will do for the image he has cultivated for himself. The fact that she is uninterested in him doesn’t matter, and in fact I’d say that probably only makes him more interested because of the “challenge” she presents.

[@sfleischer1336]

EXACTLY!!!!

[@isisbeatriz9110]

yes, exactly

[@bigpapamagoo8696]

The more she resists, the more into it he gets. He loves to hunt, even after people.

[@snoopygonewilder]

Exactly. Since he thinks so highly of himself, he believes he deserves the best. To him the most beautiful girl in the village is the best, so he must own that, and I say "that" because to him Belle is not a person, she's a thing he must own.

[@trypotherapy7478]

yep, an expert _"womanizer"_ like him needs to catch every trophy wife in town.

[@jotunfalls4026]

The library scene is AMAZING bc it's the first time someone acknowledges Belle's loves for books in a positive way. Beast isn't trying to buy her love, he's just giving this to her because he knows how much it means to her and because he wants her to feel happy.

[@linkLoverAG]

And adding to this, how absolutely giddy he is to show her this and make her happy. The dude is on cloud 9 just by showing her the library. The facial animation on him, also considering they have to figure out how to make a beast face look THAT excited, is so impressive to me.

[@ingridsuperfreak]

But no t only that , later in the movie (well in the added scene of "human again " ) Belle is reading Romeo and Juliet and Beast is next to her listening to her completely hipnotized😊. He loves her so much that not only he gives his library to her , but he also SHARES hee passion with her .

[@annoyinglysarcastic9532]

It's my biggest aspiration in life to own a library like that.

[@HardCoverJacket]

Not as a tactic to make her stay/want to stay. She was kidnapped.

[@allieware8120]

Belle = everything Bella is not in Twilight. Beast orders him to come to dinner and she basically says she'd rather starve. I love the shot after the wolves where she's treating his wounds because he's litterally this massive, horrifying creature roar-screaming at her and she just sits, back straight, hair flying in his rage till he's done. I'd be terrified, but she just shoots back "serves you right." She has so much compassion, but she has such a healthy amount of self respect.

[@katrinedda1107]

Literally I strive to have the same amount of self confidence and bravery as her😭

[@DomCOuano]

ya yo Belle was always a hero to me. first thing i saw her do was defend herself from the town loud mouth. i didn't understand that at the time but that was very important for me (and many other kids) to actually see. then she goes looking for her dad after he gets lost in the woods and pretty much frees her dad from a cage. then she becomes super buddies with the FURNITURE. they see her humanity and they sing to her and feed her. then she nurses the giant furry like you said. then the town loud mouth comes back and he goes for the giant furry... and WHO ENDS UP SAVING THE WHOLE CASTLE? (sorry for the spoilers)

[@sexysadie2901]

What a stupid thing to talk about Bella here. You are not the sharpest tool in the box.🤦

[@Ari_Nekochan]

@@sexysadie2901 what? Why?

[@Socasmx]

I loved these parts!

[@trinaq]

I've never felt that Belle ever had Stockholm Syndrome. Emma Watson even agrees with this stance, pointing out that Belle kept her independence the whole time, and argued with the Beast, until he showed a softer side. He even freely allowed her to leave when she saw that Maurice was in trouble.

[@Firegen1]

Lindsay Ellis did a whole thing on how lazy this interpretation was and how it came about through Buzzfeeding. It never made sense and as put by Jonathan and Lindsay. She breaks most of his stipulations immediately.

[@koggoku]

@@Firegen1 Lindsay Ellis did a good breakdown of Beauty and the Beast

[@Loaves_of_Cat]

Yeah, the captor fell in love with the captee. That’s the reverse of Stockholm syndrome

[@thechainwarden]

I always thought that the original story from the 1700s was about arranged marriage and an attempt to convince girls that even though it might seem bad it could end up well for them and that they could find love in it.

[@UltimaAzN]

@@Loaves_of_Cat aka Lima Syndrome

[@marielpare8290]

The Stockholm Syndrome thing always bugged me because she didn’t start coming around to him until he genuinely stopped being a dick to her and started being nice. And when he releases her as his prisoner, she actually leaves. And she may not have come back if it weren’t for the impending danger. That’s not Stockholm Syndrome.

[@MsDianation09]

Exactly!!!

[@adornapendragon8953]

That is so true!!!! 🤗 Although the Project Gutenberg version was one hell of a ride 🤣 it oozes Stockholm Syndrome at its finest 🤣

[@summerrose8110]

And Whitney Avalon's Princess Rap Battles doesn't help at all, and those shitty memes annoy me.

[@AngelJuliet]

Abusers can however start to act nice in order to further control them.

[@TheSolitaryGrape]

Exactly! And he doesn't just act nice in order to make her like him, he finally has some self-awareness and chooses to become a better person. He doesn't try and manipulate her, he just wants her to be happy. And she doesn't stick around, when she goes into the West Wing and he throws a tantrum, she's still technically bound by her word, but she says "fuck that" and bounces because she doesn't feel safe. Both times she returns, there is a reason, and she fully makes that choice. She has so much agency in this film, and it sucks when people try to oversimplify it just to try and dunk on it.

[@winsy5241]

Can we talk about how 8:22 is straight out of an abusive relationship? No greeting, only talks about what he wants her to do, no respect for her possessions/house and the most important, no respect for her consent or boundaries. Like the walk up where he throws over a chair and pins her to the wall to kiss her is exactly how abusive relationships are portrayed. It’s played as a joke but that actually happens and it’s terrifying

[@jbcatz5]

He basically says he’s going to rape her. She will give him children, sons specifically, and she has no say in the matter. Gaston belongs on a list and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but his fixation on Belle may have saved other women in the village from this. Gaston is more beastly than an actual beast.

[@jorgebersabe293]

@@jbcatz5 He is also a disturbing depiction of a "nice guy": Gaston believes that Belle owes him sex just for paying attention to her and the moment she rejects him, he restorts to violence.

[@damnkevindeaderthanamf3297]

Go to the Manosphere and you'll see Gastons 😂

[@daisyallen4954]

and what’s crazy is that i’ve never seen this movie so from your description i thought the beast did this, but it was actually gaston. the way this movie subverts preconceived notions is fantastic

[@kant.68]

@@jorgebersabe293 Wtf you talking about??

[@kiapet286]

The other thing about the scene with Belle treating the Beast's arm is that she straight up doesn't take any of his crap. He's blustering and yelling and getting in her face and she doesn't let herself get intimidated but instead just yells right back. And he ends up actually realizing she's right about some things and backing off, and then answers her sincerely when she thanks him for saving her life. It's the first time he sees her as a person rather than a prisoner, and it completely changes how he behaves towards her from that point on.

[@JonDoe-rq2lf]

Haha, that's wreck it Ralph in a nutshell

[@kate2create738]

This is likely the first time (besides being cursed) Beast was ever scolded by anyone. Think about it, he is only surrounded by scared servants and not many know how to approach difficult subjects without acting like they are walking on eggshells, so while those that knew how to talk to him, he didn't take as seriously. There's no family or other relatives to balance his behavior, so he was so used to having things go his way, including going on full rage when pissed, and with that argument he had to start to learn to humble himself. With Belle's side of the argument, he had to consider that certain traits, such as his temper, have got to go if he wants Belle to at least stay. This was a big step for someone with a lot of pride and bitterness to acknowledge, but it was an important step to his character development as well learning to compromise which is essential in a health relationship. It also (along with saving her) gave Belle a reason to be patient with Beast because he considered her issues that transpired previously and he adjusted to fix those issues, she then started to see Beast had a tender side he was not used to presenting.

[@keylster6765]

Yet she was a child and he was a grown adult

[@lelole9360]

@@keylster6765 Not necessarily, the Beast is 20 turning 21 and Bell is apparently 17, probably to be 18 and she has more worldly experience than Beast, who's been a hermit since he was 11.

[@keylster6765]

@@lelole9360 no, she isn't... She is around 17 could be younger but she is still a minor, and beast is 21, not 20 he is still an adult and she is a minor doesn't changethat fact even if he was 20.

[@wormteeth1734]

Something I noticed when Gaston just invited himself into Belle’s house is that she was constantly trying to put distance between herself and him, and he was constantly trying to close the distance and corner her. She was putting furniture between them- chairs, desks- and ducking under his arm when he tried to corner her. Like, talk about a red flag- dude can’t take a hint, for one thing, and it’s a nonverbal way of establishing that Gaston will never care about her boundaries or comfort, imo.

[@karma6574]

I wouldn't have opened the door. I always thought it was weird that _she_ did.

[@ingridsuperfreak]

And in the Dance scene , Belle put herself close to the Beast and he was surprised ...why ?, because she felt comfortable with him , knowing he wasn't going to hurt her or take advantage of her, unlike Gaston. The Beast respects her, so she then takes the initiative

[@soulangela7154]

Yup, and then when she put herself against a wall I just had that 'oh no, don't do that, you can't run from there' stressed feeling but then she opened the door and I was so relieved and happy.

[@starlegends3092]

Ya lol

[@BatSnakegirl]

@@ingridsuperfreak And then the Beast's confusion followed immediately by utter glee just rounds out the contrasting scenes.

[@moonbeamsun9066]

Gaston wants Belle because, as he says in his first lines “She’s the best. And don’t I deserve the best?”. He views her as just another trophy to keep in his house. That’s not love.

[@ChristineTheHippie]

And the fact that he says "I deserve the best", again making Belle his prize.

[@gypsywoman9140]

@Dark That's one thing I liked better in the unnecessary live-action remake; Gaston explains that he's uninterested in the other girls because they throw themselves at him.

[@dyvfsdgdrgkhgderx9282]

@Dark Often times narcissist who are used to getting everything they want, get obsessive or angry when they don’t get what they want. I think the reason he wanted Belle so bad was because he felt like he couldn’t have her which offended him and offered a challenge. He felt like if he could complete that challenge and have her, the one thing out of his reach, that it would be proof that he really is the best. IMO

[@phoebusapollo8365]

@Dark I think you missed some very important byplay in the 1991 movie between Gaston and Lefou. He points out that she’s the most beautiful girl in town, making her the best, and therefore, he deserves her. This not only answers the question of “why is he interested in her if she’s so smart and well read and he’s no into that?” But also reveals how much stock and importance Gaston places in physical outward beauty and perfection, his own beauty and perfection, his own worth, and just how little he cares about things like personality and character. As he considers someone to be what he deserves from pure physical beauty ignoring other less beautiful suitors attracted to him as well as the massive incompatibility between his interests and that of the person he wishes to wed.

[@snuggldungeon]

Notice Gaston points his gun at her in that scene? It's about the hunt, power, control, achieving the unattainable. Powerful and subtle symbology is all throughout this film

[@wardachrouaa7281]

Gaston's behaviour when he enters her house is just absolutely dangerous. A man forcing himself in her house, following his prey around, trying to touch her and pin her down...that's just every woman's biggest nightmare. To me, this is the reason why she wants to flee the village at that moment. She never felt like she was in place there, but now she feels that she escaped a near rape, she has lost all feeling for safety. Nobody will defend her if Gaston does it, he is the hero of the village. Nobody will believe her. And Gaston will not doubt of telling her that. He's the Weinstein of the village. God knows how many victims there are. So when he has left, she stays inside and barrickades the door. A loooong time afterhe has left, she is brave enough to peek through the door. The emotions; humiliation, shame, anger, fear, unbelief...it is all clear as she talks to herself when going out. Then she takes a run to leave the village, but one thing keeps her from actually running away: her father. She would never want to leave her father behind. So she cannot force herself to run away, even choosing her father over her own safety, but at the same time reluctant to return to the house in which she doesn't feel safe anymore. As a woman I always felt sick to my stomach seeing this scene.

[@Furienna]

Belle always knew how bad he was though and was smart enough to not give into him.

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

In fact, in the musical adaptation, Gaston himself even says that even after he plans to marry Belle, he's still going to be with the three busty triplets who fawn all over him from the very beginning (and no doubt, as the resident prostitutes of the village, probably carry all manner of sexually transmitted diseases), which would leave Belle stuck taking care of however many sons she unwillingly sires for Gaston before Gaston dies, leaving Belle to mourn for her lost dreams & stolen youth.

[@asha_vere]

Same. I'm surprised they didn't actually analyze it from that perspective, but I guess he doesn't have knowledge of sexual assault to give a proper analysis

[@Furienna]

@@TherealRNOwwfpooh And I'm not the least surprised to read that.

[@IMayOrMayHaveNot]

"Nobody will believe her" Knowing these people, I think they'd outright call her crazy for not wanting to have sex with him ....

[@StoryGirl83]

“You can’t buy love with a library.” Well, no, but with that library, you sure can buy a lot of goodwill.

[@megroy6396]

True...but that's not why he gave it to her. It was purely to make her happy, and to see that look on her face. It was that she "received" it, not that he gave it.

[@irreliventable]

You can buy a lot of acres of the friend zone

[@StoryGirl83]

@@megroy6396 This is true. There was no evidence that he was trying to buy her love. And that library was amazing.

[@mckenzie.latham91]

the best part was that the beast wasn’t trying to even get her love, he just wanted to do something for her that she would appreciate.

[@franceschew2028]

I'd love it especially if you let me fill it up with books I love!

[@Bleuryder]

A lot of people gloss over the tiny scene that happens before the library scene. The one where he's with the staff thinking about what he could do/gift her that would make her happy. He's brainstorming about it, but he says he just wants to do something nice for her. He's not out to SUPER impress her, unlike Gaston or anything of the like. He just wants to do something nice and he settles on giving her this library because she adores books. During the library scene, he gets excited at HER reaction, you can even see his 'I did it!" face for a second. He's happy because SHE'S happy, and its basically here that both of them start to see the beast as human. It's this scene where he basically decides he's going to live as his best self.

[@amiraebrahim1008]

YES! the way he phrases it is vital "i've never felt this way about anyone. i want to do something for her". Not, I want to get her to like me or I want to win her over- he just wants to make her feel as happy as she makes him. he's not even thinking about the curse at this point. he's just thinking about her.

[@MsKitcloudkicker]

Well said!!!

[@jayjaybee]

Yes! Thank you so much for saying this! I hate how modern cynical interpretations make this movie out to be something it's not.

[@msk-qp6fn]

True the Beast's gift was for Belle to be happy not impressed by his possessions

[@chelnahtheegghead]

The thing that made me appreciate the animated movie’s curse upon the castle staff was realizing: “Oh. It’s a metaphor. The beast sees them as _objects_ so they turn into… objects. Neat.” (Edited “seems” to “sees”.)

[@anib8863]

Oh my god, how did I not catch that?

[@chelnahtheegghead]

@@anib8863 I didn’t get it either until I watched/listened to the director’s commentary a while back. 😂 I would highly recommend it!

[@Alice-sj9or]

Why do you explain why you edited your own post?

[@chelnahtheegghead]

@@Alice-sj9or Because, sometimes, people see that my comment was edited & never know what it was previously. I like saying what I edited (usually for grammatical things). 🤷‍♀️

[@Alice-sj9or]

@@chelnahtheegghead hmmm, interesting, thanks for your reply! I personally often edit my posts because I always find small typos here and there after I post them, and I don't really care what others may think... 🙃 I've been working on my people pleasing issues for years - glad to see some patters (like explaining my own actions to other people) finally dissolved.

[@tylerhill2202]

Now that I'm older I can see that this film is actually pretty dark in certain areas. The main thing being that spell the Beast is under is not just physical but psychological as well. Its spell is slowing stripping away at his humanity and the longer he remains a beast the more beast-like he becomes. When he's first introduced, he walks on all fours like an animal, is more angry and territorial and wears only pants and a cloak for clothes but over the course of the movie he begins to regain his humanity thanks to the time he spends with Belle. The directors confirmed in an interview/commentary that if the Beast had never met Belle and the spell never broken then he would've stopped wearing clothes all together, would forget how to talk and would've run off to live in the woods like a wild animal. It's a pretty disturbing notion that the spell is turning him into a beast both on the outside and the inside.

[@Furienna]

And all of his servants would have become household objects for real.

[@DecemberSfy]

*“At first I was creeped out by the talking, singing monster-house, but then the dancing BEERS showed up!”* This is the BEST fictitious Yelp review to ever exist! 😂

[@DecemberSfy]

Holy cow, I just realized Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is somewhat similar to Jane Austen's “Pride and Prejudice”!

[@elaineb7065]

It had me in stitches!!!

[@RosesTeaAndASD]

I can't breathe 😂

[@Colopty]

I need more fictional Yelp reviews like that in my life.

[@dirtywhitellama]

100%.

[@Thepopcornator]

I've always loved how Belle's just thoroughly unimpressed with Beast's shouting and complaining when she's tending Beast's wound.

[@korie4198]

Which is also true of any woman in that situation lol

[@cosmicwitchclarith]

It allways cracks me up tbh

[@McCammalot]

THIS. And this is why anyone alleging "Stockholm Syndrome" utterly fails to convince me. She was completing *a vow for her father* in *medieval-ish times* . Basically filial piety.

[@sarhahillsburg5142]

@@McCammalot yeah everyone seems forget that despite his appearance he us still just a young man and not been around anyone new in AGES. So after years doing whatever he wants her yelling probs a big shock 😂 it like when kid comes home from college an wanna act like forgot house rules. So funny watch tbh cause he really had no idea how handle being told "no" and someone not rushing do as he says. Thankfully unlike Gaston [who would take that an mean he must get his way by force] Beast uses his head an finds another way an takes a different an kinder approach.

[@McCammalot]

@@sarhahillsburg5142 it's almost a parallel, isn't it? Gaston and Beast are both spoiled, but the Beast grows beyond it (possibly because of lack of human contact and, at the end of the day, not taking it for granted? Whereas Gaston expected to be worshipped.) My theory has a bit of a problem, though, as I don't like to think of the enchanted staff as "not human" contact. I'll have to work on that 😁

[@tariqthomas9090]

“The *nuance* is actually where Beauty and The Beast is a lovely story.” I cannot thank you enough for saying this. ❤️

[@trinaq]

Precisely, the entire story is a lot more nuanced than we'd expect, and both Belle and the Beast grow to love each other in time.

[@ember1794]

Same here!!

[@tiananesbitt7156]

There was another film I needed them to do!

[@ekenny3425]

Hear, hear! ❤️

[@nitzeart]

And this is also why the remake is so dang awful 😭

[@schmelzwah]

One thing I always loved about the scene where Belle and Beast are arguing after the wolf attack is the way she responds to beast by comparison to the servants. The servants are afraid when he yells and run to hide, she doesn't even flinch and instead goes harder into his face. That shows even more her bravery and strong will.

[@HardCoverJacket]

Not really. Nor all domestic violence victims cower in fear. Toxic relationship behavior. Both are red flags.

[@KitKat_293]

what i mainly liked is argument did not really go in a toxic place. they both vented some grievances but didn't let it go on very long or escalate, and came out the other side with better understanding. the beast runs out of retorts and is healthy enough to realize he was ultimately the source of the problem and relents, controlling his temper as she just demanded he learn to do. she then as if recognizing and appreciating his humility here, she matches his level and brings up something he did right and truly appreciated, saving her life. there's genuine warmth, humility and appreciation in her voice and his response as they ease out of the tension and into mutual respect. this to me is actually a pretty healthy conflict and one of the first good moments they have because there is mutual kindness and effort

[@cherusiderea1330]

"Belle could be burned with acid or something and be deformed and she would still be beautiful -- a lovely person." My face being deformed on one side, that hit really close to home, even more so because I didn't expect to hear something like this. Thank you

[@carpelibrarium8522]

"A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." - Roald Dahl, The Twits

[@cauhscrymdorn2132]

I like Johnathan wife's quote. 'Beauty has little to do with how you look'

[@meimeidelcastillo8819]

Me too ❤️

[@chriskelly3481]

Well, she's loving & kind, selfless, smart, curious, brave, honest, faithful and funny. That's pretty much a sweep. She also happens to be THE "beauty" (as per the title)?!?! Rude. Greedy. 🤷🏼‍♂️😜👍

[@GrizzneyGames]

@@chriskelly3481 exactly. Belle in that movie could be the most outwardly hideous person you'd ever see but, I'd be fascinated with who she is. She's a "belle" regardless of whatever exterior standards are out there.

[@mjosesintilde]

YESSSS FINALLY someone actually proffesional to clarify that this movie is NOT about Stockholm Syndrome. I love you guys

[@trinaq]

Indeed, as a licensed therapist, Jonathan knows what he's talking about, and would definitely know the signs of real Stockholm Syndrome if he saw them.

[@Loaves_of_Cat]

There’s also another professional (a therapist I think?) who did reaction on Disney princessses. It wasn’t that person’s personal channel but rather she was invited.

[@lottietalkie3142]

Lindsay Ellis did one too, I think. It also really bugs me when people say that, because it's such a lazy analysis.

[@Loaves_of_Cat]

Personally I think it’s a bit of both Stockholm syndrome and the syndrome that’s the opposite of it cause in the end, Belle did technically fall in love with her captor too. She just fell in love later than him.

[@nyygabs]

I swear I am so happy right now. I remember another video circulating tumblr that also said that it wasn't, but people just don't seem to understand basic facts, even from a professional.

"Gaston is a guy in his 30s, and he's still acting like a high school boy" the sad part is, there are lots of people like Gaston around :(

[@ArtificialPerson]

But irl they're not even that good looking 😆 jk

[@AllyInReality]

If you hear older people talking with each other, you'll realize that most pf them felt like they're still a high schooler. And here I thought, I'll grew more mature as time goes by.

[@queerlibtardhippie9357]

@@AllyInReality That's where you went wrong. You think being mature has any correlation with age.

[@AllyInReality]

@@queerlibtardhippie9357 why do people look down on younger ones then?

[@ravena.3762]

@@AllyInReality Since they have less experience, people assume they don't have any maturity.

[@carnivorouspiano2394]

Thank you for restoring my faith in this romance. I loved this movie as a kid, so it made me sad when I learned about Stockholm syndrome and made the connection with the story. Now I can love it again without feeling guilty! 😭

[@Just.Kidding]

You can feel even better because there's no such thing as Stockholm Syndrome. It's a totally fictional pop culture invention. There's never been a single confirmed case after the bank incident iirc, and the very idea of it has been thoroughly debunked for a very long time.

[@linaresryan]

Same

[@DenDenSushi]

same feeling!

[@CycloneFox]

And that's why it's important to listen to your own heart, not some stranger on the internet or even reviews.

[@devinreis5811]

The Beast was like a child in a candy store when Belle was reading King Arthur.

[@mars_mayday]

The thing I love about Belle's relationship with her father is that he is equally willing to sacrifice his life for her as she is for him. He was willing to die as a captive so she wouldn't take her place, and she didn't care how old he was - she wasn't going to let that happen. I imagine she learned what love really means because of the example he set for her. For me, this movie is just as much about the legacy of love as it is about redemption.

[@GrizzneyGames]

That is a fantastic point! All my life, I had never thought about that before.

[@rimjhimdhusiya699]

I think she also learned how to be her authentic self from her father as well since her father is also considered a freak for doing things not the town's way but his way and he too never changes too despite everybody mocking him :)

[@hellopumpkin86]

Such an incredible point! It’s sad how many people overlook this beautiful quality about Belle. It set her apart from so many of the more modern princesses and heroines for me!

[@hannahbedington9980]

"You cannot buy love with a library" DONT LISTEN TO HIM, GIVE US A LIBRARY

[@thevrana]

So guys, you heard it here. Bring your Kindle to your next date.

[@JP-pp2tn]

seriously you mean i didn't have to be single in high school, i just had to buy a girl i liked a library dam it and here i used my allowance to buy lunch when i could of bought a library to get a girl to like me LOL

[@nira8289]

Period sister. Library= marriage

[@selinesbeau]

As a bookworm girl with brown hair, Belle was my favourite princess.

[@leaflet1686]

I would say yes imedieatlely... (How do I write that word, I'm German :D) When he has a library, he wanted it in the first place. Which means he likes to read and is probably a smarty, well read, lot's of imagination, big dreams, healthy mind. All good tropes in character. Then he actually has the money to do so! For someone like me a dream coming true. When he has the money to buy an entire library, he is stable in life. So yeah... Day 1 to ??? I will tackle the fantasy section.

[@missyureiii]

I think one of the reasons why this cannot be considered as an unhealthy relationship (falling in love with a “monster”) is because Beast’s behavior and attitude towards Belle improves. He was a jerk in the beginning, but then after he saves her from the wolves, he doesn’t fall back to controlling or selfish behavior. He doesn’t hurt her, he lets her go and respects her freedom and her dreams and her choices. Edward and Christian Grey keep falling into possessive and creepy behavior, thus its unhealthy.

[@rosasutubechannel]

Just improving dose not mean it's healthy though, because whenever there is stress in your life the worst parts of you always poke out thier ugly heads. So people should be careful about ignoring red flags just because the have improved. Marriage is going to give you the most stressful and vulnerable moments. Letting someone that close to your heart, it's basically impossible that our faults wont "hurt" our partner at some point, and vice versa.

[@Пинагод]

@@rosasutubechannel That's not the case here though, Beast understanding that Belle needs to leave and cater to her father, and actually letting her go is proof that it _is_ a healthy relationship, since he knows how to give boundaries and let go of her, even if there's the possibility that he'll never see her again. Actually, the moment Belle finds out that her father is in danger, the possibility to lose Belle forever, should be stress-inducing enough to show someone's true character. And he didn't even panic over it, he just let her go, since he knew that Belle would be better off and happier this way.

[@rosasutubechannel]

@@Пинагод So sorry, that was an unfinished draft I did not realize posted, Lol. I actually LOVE B&B and similar stories and completely agree with you! But I do worry for woman and men who can get convinced to stay in toxic relationships because "thier partner is trying/improving" especially because marriage has a way of bring out the best and worst in everyone. Those "worse" parts need to be ones we can accept.

[@msk-qp6fn]

Yeah I never liked Disney's Beauty and the Beast or its original tale but I never understood why people saw it as unhealthy. I do understand why some adults are concerned you know with the i can help a bad boy type of thing but the beast and belle's dynamic isn't bad quite on the healthy side if anything

[@lelelew2735]

One of the reasons beast likes belle so much is that she points out his faults im sure being a prince no one ever did this which is why he was cursed in the first place. He wasnt like gaston he wanted to be a better person just didnt know how because he was so spoiled..also it helps that he didnt seek out and kidnap her she made an agreement to trade places giving her control from the start.

[@kelleyceccato7025]

"It's yours -- because I don't know how to read." This is why I love the film with the cut scenes added in. We get to see Belle teaching Beast to read. One of the sweetest scenes in the movie failed to make it into the theatrical release.

[@animeotaku307]

I wish they kept it in. It would've been another way Beast and Gaston were different. While they're both illiterate, Beast is interested and wants to learn more while Gaston doesn't see it as worthwhile.

[@devinreis5811]

He doesn't mind hearing it over and over again.

[@muchanadziko6378]

It’s a nice touch, but a „prince” in 18th or something Century not being able to read is just absurd

[@wildfire9280]

@@muchanadziko6378 True but monks would’ve prioritized this over nobility or royalty.

[@sanv3275]

@@muchanadziko6378 thats because he is 11

[@dash2869]

During the song "Belle", there are so few close-ups of her because the song is about how everyone else perceives her: a pretty girl with her nose in a book. The rest of the movie is about revealing who Belle really is, her compassion and bravery and intelligence, which the Beast is the first to really see. This is important because the whole reason for his curse is that he was a shallow prince that turned away an old woman in need of help because she was ugly. He starts to see past the shallow surface of Belle as a pretty girl with her nose in a book to fall in love with the person she really is underneath.

[@Vael221]

Perhaps a sad bit of irony that for a movie about seeing past a shallow perception of people, the most common impression people spread is a shallow reading of the story.

[@isisbeatriz9110]

amazing interpretation

[@bee_awake_art]

Belle is more about the town and the ways everyone interacts with her, belle reprise is belle herself speaking and actually her own person showing 💙 i love it

[@joygernautm6641]

But the real question is, with the beast have given belle a “chance” if she was ugly looking like he is??? This movie plays into the male female double standard very very heavily

[@McCammalot]

@@joygernautm6641 I think at least in the Disney version he wouldn't have much of a choice as there was a wilting rose waiting to kill him. Somebody (somebody marriageable) needed to love him in a matter of *days* , he was not in any position to be picky. The fairy tale version varies. A lot of it is based more on her unselfishness-her sisters aren't ugly, they're greedy. And in the *real* original tale, Cupid and Psyche, from Roman times, her mortal beauty is immaterial; she is kept in the dark, and later punished for her curiosity in trying to see Cupid's face instead of having faith (and letting her family convince her that he must be monstrous or why would he keep everything dark?), in addition to actual god Cupid being hotter than her. (C.S. Lewis of Narnia fame wrote a version of Cupid and Psyche based on even earlier Estuscan lore where Psyche was outright unattractive but smart and sensible, which was why Cupid chose her, if I remember correctly. "Till We Have Faces" )

[@nikkiesweet7939]

The captions calling Gaston a "No-Belle Prize Winner" was the cherry on top for me. I love this video.

[@TheDeceacedGod]

Also another note I read 10:28 as established titties

[@rachelthompson7487]

Omg 🤣

[@rachelthompson7487]

What part was that?

[@red_Bellapepper]

NOOOOO LMAO this is amazing

[@VioletEmerald]

I had only noticed the "Book thief" nickname and felt so amused

[@bigWazaa]

- Gaston: "There are no pictures" - Belle: "It has. A sheep has just eaten it"

[@oneminuteofmyday]

I always thought the same thing at that part. lol

[@BanniToki]

The sheep eating a page scene is a total suspension of disbelief killer for me. I get upset over a slight dog-eared page or a wrinkle. lol

[@_stupidbro]

LMAO 🤣🤣🤣

[@Hello_Gorgeous]

Omg 😂❤

[@Estarfigam]

I think he was looking for a centerfold....

[@sarahcaitlyn88]

Belle is hands down the most positive Disney princess for a child to look up to. She is educated, doesn't care what people think even when it is positive like when they talk of her beauty. She rejects a handsome ass hole. She loves her father, defends him, and overtime falls for someone who isn't attractive when she gets to know him and bond with him. Gotta say though... Always thought the beast was more attractive before he was human 🤣and I'm not even a furry. Hahaha

[@freetobree5323]

Would you say she’s more positive than Tiana

[@sarahcaitlyn88]

@@freetobree5323 hmm... Yes. And I feel like she is more kind hearted. The only reason she was in her position was to save her father. A truly selfless act. Tiana is doing it for a reward to buy her restaurant and then to save herself from being a frog... not to save someone. She is very brave though

[@laryneskridge-williams7200]

YESSS !! I was like, what's wrong with me for liking him more as a Beast 😈. Maybe I am a furry and didn't know it 😂

[@doro5026]

@@sarahcaitlyn88 They both follow the shared falling in love with someone over time when in a position of captivity which I think is neat. They just have different reasons as to why they ended up in the situation.

[@godslittlegirl]

but beast after his transformation was 😍

[@darklyo3784]

I like the fact that in the animated version everybody else got curse for no reason because I feel like that illustrates a very important lesson ... your bad decisions have consequences, and sometimes those consequences can spill onto other people

[@MercurialMoon]

I get what you mean but I think it'll make more sense if the consequence was natural and inevitable. The witch (or whatever) literally decided to curse everyone when she could have just... chosen not to.

[@ShadowyFox_86]

@@MercurialMoon I've always thought that the witch should've been a fairy. That's what happens with fairies in stories. If you scorn them as a royal, they take it out on you and everyone connected to you.

[@Beacuzz]

@@ShadowyFox_86 i always read her as a fae. I know her proper title is enchantress and that and her actions always made me feel more fae then witch. But i read a lot of fairy tales as a kid so maybe just me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@alabaster_bullet]

I like this concept. It falls in line with one my my dad's gripes about the Little Mermaid was as a result of her running away, the whole kingdom for days on end looked for her and her father was nearly worried to death.

[@nancy6746]

That is an amazing point

[@ezrea9313]

If you look at it closely, you'll see the Beast is physically everything Gaston loves about himself, taken to the extreme. What separates man from beast in this story is compassion and love, which is why those are what the Beast must learn and earn to become human again. This can only be accomplished through the hard work and dedication of someone who's never cared about outwardly appearance before, but rather the compassion and love in people's hearts: Belle

[@GrizzneyGames]

Wait a minute....You're so right! The Gaston song describes the way the beast looks so well! How did I not notice this?

[@Maxisamo1]

- Strong - Large - Hairy - Could probably eat more than 5 Dozen Eggs

[@nah3609]

Except the teeth tho

[@ashnelson5562]

wAIT I SEE IT YOU'RE SO RIGHT

[@shadowbrain4814]

This reminds me of a writing prompt I saw awhile ago, which basically said "what if instead of the Beast's curse just lifting and disappearing, it transferred to Gaston instead of his death."

[@GeeklingNo1]

I want y'all to do cinderella. People think she's a passive character that's just waiting for a prince to save her but I'm reality she's an abuse victim that does what she can with what little she's given and it's a really good image of feminine strength

[@noxiouschocolate9644]

There’s also the fact that she didn’t want to find true love or anything she just wanted to dress nice and go to a party

[@victoriafinlay23hda]

This...exactly this 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@justmyedits6596]

@@noxiouschocolate9644 Truee. Home girl just wanted to go to the ball because it's the ball, the first one in a long while. Even a someone uninterested in the royal family but wants to see something new would be interested for the experience. I'd even want to go for the foods made by the royal chefs lmao

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

The Take has a great video on Cinderella! People seem to forget a lot of the time that she was never even interested in the prince at the beginning; she just wanted a day off from work. Yes, she meets the prince at the ball, but she doesn't go there to meet him; she goes for herself.

[@plipplop1769]

I think Cinderella as a character is good, I just don't think the movie as a whole should be used as ultimate role model material for kids. It should be treated as dumb fun like most fairytales imo, further than that and it can be harmful. Because ultimately, what is presented as the reward is romance. It gives the idea that as long as you keep persevering, some prince will just swoop you off your feet and that's kind of the only way things'll get better, to depend on someone else.

[@ulvesparker]

I just have to comment, the voice actor/singer for Gaston has an astounding baritone timbre and as in traditional opera casting, the bass baritone is often the "villain".

[@AAA839]

The Voice actor of Gaston is Richard White.also a boardway star.who had been playing Phantom. Beauty and the beast and tye little mermaid had persuade by Howard Ashman to use a boardway actor to do the Speaking and Singing voice.Not just cast the voice because of their frame.

[@foxyjambread3826]

My mother went to school with him.

[@owl7072]

I kinda like how Belle goes about the place while reading because it shows that she's _not kidding_ when she says "every morning's just the same" in the town, it's to a point she can maneuver her way through it without once looking up from her book that she's completely absorbed in. Edit: I'm sorry but the way Beast runs in the movie sometimes is _sending_ me

[@agatarak6075]

That's a neat observation, it's really true!

[@MissCaraMint]

Yeah I got that too.

[@rhaenyralikesyoutube6289]

Nine Inch Nail's Everyday Is Exactly The Same plays in my head from this comment. 🤣🤣

[@manasa908]

the way he runs during the snowball fight 😭😭

[@owl7072]

@@manasa908 that's the _exact_ scene I was watching when I made the edit lmao

[@catherinelempke8451]

I like how, in the library scene, Beasts' eyes are all for Belle - he doesn't look around the library, he just wants to see her happiness, because it makes him happy.

[@ShadowyFox_86]

I love that he's not giving her something in exchange for her liking him. He's giving her something just because she likes that thing.

[@itsgonnabeanaurfromme]

It's his library, why would he look at it? I think he's seen it before.

[@chanteshante]

Also the big smile on his face when doing so, since like you said it's something that will make her happy and he's happy for her happiness

[@HeidiLynOVeran]

True

[@linaresryan]

Man, the details in the movie are SO GOOD

[@TynieTyner]

"He's just awful because he hates himself" best words I've ever heard

[@luna.1409]

Sounds like myself lol

[@alexie832]

Oh.....now that I think about it....that's just depressing.

[@TraceguyRune]

Well it's flat out wrong. This guy never watched it. Beast is awful for being cruel and selfish. Did you ever watch the movie? If so, remind me, why was he cursed? And why was his curse broken?

[@TraceguyRune]

Since you're probably too lazy, here it is: Reason for curse: Being selfish to others Reason for broken curse: Loving others, and getting their love back

[@TynieTyner]

@@TraceguyRune true

[@leonorapaust6369]

As you guys were talking about Belle being kind of distanced from the town, the realisation hit me like a brick - all the townpeople are dressed in warm tones, the coolest tones being green tones and creams. Belle is quite literally divorced from them with her stark white blouse and skirt as well as her prominently blue apron. She is visually othered, her gestures + body language others her and the fact that even though everyone talks about her, she barely says a word to anyone. In every possible way, she was set apart from them

[@DN-rm2yi]

U7gc

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

Plus, Gaston wears red, as does the Beast earlier on. But as Belle falls for the Beast, he starts to wear purple (his cape) and blue (his formal dress suit for the titular song).

[@meridaskywalker7816]

@@TherealRNOwwfpooh Wow, true! I never noticed that!

[@banditsspies6759]

Cursing an entire castle for the sake of one person is an accurate representation of the hardship that having a person like beast can have on a family or community who is invested in them. Their struggles are yours and yiu go through their humbling together.

[@emilysragz]

This is an interesting point. The beast does seem narcissistic at first, though the problem with redemption stories in pop-culture is when a narcissist goes through a redemption it gives survivors of narcissistic abuse hope that their narcissist will change too. Most narcissistic people won't change because most narcissists don't think there is anything wrong with them. It gets confusing because deep down narcissistic people carry a lot of shame and at their core they are very insecure but it's like their coping mechanism is to lie to themselves and others that they are the best. Those narcissists that go to therapy usually go to please someone who is threatening to leave them (a.k.a. taking away "narcissistic supply") and sometimes they go and try to learn how to be more empathic from a therapist so they can manipulate people further. It's a great film until you realize that not everyone is capable of change. Gaston never changes making him a true narcissist and his death is basically like the beast killing his old self. The major problem I have with this movie is not about "Stockholm Syndrome" but about the redemption story that is constantly used in the media to make it seem like narcissists can easily change. Sure some people are capable of change but they usually aren't narcissistic people. It's a hard pill to swallow for most people which is why most victims of narcissistic abuse have difficulty leaving or moving on. Most people want to see good in people and hope everyone is capable of change. I like to surround myself with people who are not only empathic but seem to embrace change and are willing to grow.

[@amy_pieterse]

Interesting insight. Never thought of that.

[@трыцтытыдыц]

i like to think about it like it represents Beasts selfish personality. Everybody in his life is just a property and furniture and tools for him

[@NalaS]

Wow never thought of it that way

[@pinkcupcake4717]

One member of the family, especially one so harmful, brings the entire house down with them.

[@babs3241]

I think a lot of people don't recognize that it's largely the Beast's story of growth, not Belle's. She's in an okay place when she starts, a little bit unsatisfied, but not in crisis. Beast is the one who learns the lesson of the story.

[@genevieva_b]

finally! i'm so tired of ppl just writing the whole story off as completely toxic and a total "Stockholm syndrome" thing. i've always thought of it as the first Disney princess movie to actually show the characters gradually grow to love each other, instead of the whole "love at first sight" stuff. i also disagree with the idea of Belle trying to "cure him with her love". that's just not what happened. she only started warming up to the Beast after a positive change in his behaviour.

[@Magnulus76]

Of course it has to be more realistic, the original story is a morality tale of premodern French expectations of marriage, when most marriages were arranged.

[@sharlebrooks7406]

He did kidnap her, though lol.

[@genevieva_b]

@@sharlebrooks7406 she did still have a lot of agency in this though. she offered herself in exchange for her father's freedom (yes, under the pressure of the situation, but no one demanded it from her), she had the means to escape, she could have left after the wolf fight instead of bringing the Beast back to the castle.

[@Unownshipper]

The worst thing about the people who cry "Stockholm Syndrome" is that they have no idea what the condition actually is. As these guys established, it is *not* "hostage falls in romantic love with their captor." Yet every asshole thinks they're suddenly a licensed therapist and qualified to describe this despite doing zero research. It's the worst type of misappropriated and misunderstood pop psychology right up there with dream therapy and ink blot tests.

[@sharlebrooks7406]

@@genevieva_b that does not negate the fact that he captured her father and then took her captive lol.

[@lizard3755]

I love that Alan's parents didn't make him feel bad about crying at Beauty and the Beast. No one should have to feel bad about crying when they're moved by something regardless of gender, and his parents allowing him to express those feelings without guilt is so wonderful and unfortunately not always the case for boys as they're growing up.

[@SaraLovelace1]

As to the "why 'wife' and not just 'conquest'?" question: Gaston's a hunter. An apex predator. It's literally the very first thing established about him. He doesn't just want a notch on his bedpost, he wants a permanent trophy that he can take possession of. There's also the subversion of the Disney Prince trope in this movie. In any other Disney movie, Gaston would be the love interest; good looking, has the respect and adoration of the townspeople, protects them from wild beasts, and "loves" the protagonist. In any other Disney movie, he would marry the princess. And Gaston's entitlement comes from that genre savvy viewpoint just as much as his narcissism. He doesn't understand, genuinely, what Belle's issue with him is. He's the Hero. The Hero gets the girl. The Prince marries the Princess etc.

[@seraphim108]

dang, that last paragraph. I didn't realize just how much Gaston truly fits into the "handsome hero" trope that's usually set out there. How the story could've easily fit the whole "sLigHtLy arrogant/cocky hero/prince does xyz impressive thing, maybe/maybe not changes a little, and wins the girl that initially rejected him" type thing even if he's kinda a shit person and the girl should've dropped him. really makes me appreciate the movie even more, I wonder how surprising this would've been at the time considering quite a bit of movies would've had a Gaston type charecter as the love interest.

[@emilyd1643]

@@seraphim108 exactly! That is why for the most part I do not enjoy watching movies such as sleeping beauty or the little mermaid or Cinderella because it just shows a relationship that does not have a strong base and all of these characters fall in love either at first sight or within a couple conversations / days. Sadly, most romance movies are like this but I find that these disney movies especially tend to follow the narrative of the prince saves the helpless princess. Contrastly, I love the movies The Princess and The Frog, Mulan, Moana, and Frozen (even though anna annoyed me a lot in the first movie lol) because it shows that you do not have to wait around for someone to save you and instead can be independent and happy while accomplishing great things :D Edit: typo

[@annastevens1526]

It's a control thing, too. In the era and country where this tale is set, marriage essentially gives the husband total legal OWNERSHIP of a wife. He can beat her, take her kids away, use all her money, whatever. So Gaston is aiming to completely control Belle's life - almost to an even worse degree than what the Beast is doing at the start of their interactions.

[@jorgebersabe293]

In other words: Gaston looks like the stereotypical Disney Hero, but his personality is far from being heroic.

[@jorgebersabe293]

@@annastevens1526 As the movie emphasizes a lot, Gaston is what The Beast could have become if the Enchantress never cursed him. Before his curse, the Beast was exactly like Gaston: Arrogant, spoiled, selfish and unkind, without any love in his heart. The Beast looks like a monster, but is heroic, kind, protective and daring. Gaston looks like a man, but is ruthless, brutish, selfish and psychopathic.

[@MissesSisters]

A point that was kinda glossed over in this video is that Belle tells him that he shouldlearn to control his temper and in the end when she arrives and sees Gaston attaching the beast, there is also the realization that he finally is in control of his temper.

[@yabserabetsuan5124]

Also something I noticed is that after that scene where Belle helps clean up his wound, Beast never yells again. At anyone, even Gaston. He sternly but quietly tells him "get out" instead of screaming at him the way he did Belle earlier

[@daniellemusella1594]

@@yabserabetsuan5124 Wow. I can't believe I didn't pick up on that before. Nice catch. (7/25/2022)

[@missamieholly2313]

THANK YOU

[@sameerakhan7455]

@@daniellemusella1594 I didn't as well. I'm surprised as this is one of my most watched Disney movies (though I haven't watched any lately besides Encanto) It's interesting how you wrote the date of when you replied to them. May I ask why you wrote the date?

[@daniellemusella1594]

@@sameerakhan7455 To remember when it happened. I like to think back to what, if anything, about my life was different then. (9/15/2022)

[@hiraphane]

8:26 something I didn't bat an eye at as a child that now as an adult makes me deeply uncomfortable... the way Gaston just let's himself into Belle's home and then continuously encroaches in on her personal space even when she makes it very clear (see: taking multiple steps back for every one step forwards Gaston takes towards her- and later even taking care to place pieces of furniture between the two of them, like the table and the rocking chair) that she isn't comfortable with him being so close to her. Nevermind that he then quite literally *pins her* into the corner, and then pins her *again* even after she dodges him the first time. It's an animated children's movie, so I know nothing bad is going to happen, but imagining being in Belle's position in a reality that isn't bound by those rules is absolutely terrifying.

[@qwmx]

I cringed when I was a 9 yr old (first time seeing this movie). I understood personal space and could see Belle was uncomfortable back then. I think it was instinctive because everything he did was wrong like how he entered the house and was clearly invading Belle's personal space, something which I know people generally don't do to each other and Belle didn't look comfortable.

[@hiraphane]

@@qwmx As a kid I was definitely thinking "Wow rude - personal space, man, could you not?" but I wasn't thinking about how actually threatening that would be from the standpoint of Belle knowing that she wouldn't be able to physically overpower Gaston in order to get away from him if it came down to it. Now that I'm older and know what it feels like to have a man that size coming on to you so strongly, and how small and helpless that can make you feel... it's a whole different brand of discomfort.

[@sarahk5412]

I was in that situation once and looking back I realize I handled it the way Belle did, which is to say poorly - trying to stay nice and not set him off in any way, instead of saying screw it and getting out.

[@msk-qp6fn]

Gaston was part of the reason I couldn't stand the animated movie even as a kid actually 😅 i never finished until i was much older

[@qwmx]

@@hiraphane I wondered why she didn't act a bit more aggressive and assertive. Even at the age of 9, I knew how to set and maintain my boundaries. I was also aware that if you let potentially dangerous things get too close to you, you are less likely to escape it (e.g. dogs), so I was cautious of a lot of things. Now that I'm older I guess she didn't want to exacerbate the situation or the potential danger her position poses to her did not immediately register to her, so she was going along with it while keeping herself safe. If I were her I would have told him to fuck off, but this was a different time and you're forced to get along with people back then.

[@plusultra219]

I’m surprised that you don’t think Belle is starting to catch feelings in the snowball scene. She also wants to dance with the Beast. She may not be in love with him yet, but she’s got to have some kind of butterflies, otherwise it wouldn’t surprise her so much (new and a bit alarming) and make her feel shy and hide behind the tree to try to sort out her feelings. Maybe I relate because I’m a girl.

[@lorrainesekera4100]

I agree: there are definite allusions to her starting to catch feelings for him during the snowball fight scene.

[@theMMAdhatter]

Another agree. Just listen to the lyrics of the song: "There may be something there that wasn't there before." This CAN be taken to mean compassion and affection, but I think (especially considering the time period) it was very much intended to obliquely refer to romantic interest - and bringing up the concept of "Prince Charming" (even if it's only to say he's NOT) is another suggestion in that direction.

[@soyaliovee]

That could mean affection and not love tho, since they always say affection and love is dinner

[@emilyparnell4661]

I agree, in Jono's words of "not love," she's probably starting to feel affection and at some point even attachment, but she doesn't love him till the very end.

[@thesisypheanjournal1271]

Notice how Gaston's vocabulary expands when he's taking about himself? When Belle calls him "positively primeval" he doesn't even know that it's an insult. But when he's singing his song he's an "intimidating" "specimen" who is good at "expectorating."

[@daniellevinson6975]

I think Gaston simply saw Belle's insult as a playfully defiant challenge.

[@amaiaintxausti5660]

I love Gaston xD He makes me laugh

[@puppeiluv826]

Omg I love this

[@asiag6863]

Oh I think he understood what positively primeval meant but was actually flattered by it

[@daniellevinson6975]

@@asiag6863 His overconfident manner suggests my conclusion more than it suggests yours.

[@TheIntimateAvenger]

The beast did not deserve to be cursed, at least not in this version of the story. He was eleven when he was cursed. They never stated his age but some simple math reveals it. “The rose will bloom until his twenty first year” and “For ten years we’ve been rusting”. I think an eleven year old kid should refuse to let a scary stranger into his home.

[@courtneysheffield6336]

True but Prince Adam could have been polite and let the woman stay for a night or two kindness goes a long way Prince Adam was rude spoiled and unkind prince that deserved punishment and she is an enchantress

[@ChaosRocket]

@@courtneysheffield6336 So if a random stranger knocked on your door you'd really let them stay in your house for a night or two?

[@courtneysheffield6336]

@@ChaosRocket yes I would because there is nothing wrong with being kind and helpful

[@MirrimBlackfox]

@@ChaosRocket You are making a false equivalence, the prince was in no danger from the old beggar woman (he had guards and such) and it would be expected that a traveler asking for shelter, actually offering a token payment, would be at least be given a meal, someplace to wash up, and a place to sleep (usually, in a hay loft, with the servants, or some other warm out of the way place) as part of the obligations of being a Noble/Royal. The Prince was a landed Prince, it would be expected that he would shelter travelers.

[@SpicyGrape7]

I feel the curse was a bit extreme for a child, but the time period was a bit brutal. He doesn’t have much in the way of a role model from what we see as none of the servants stand up to him (understandably so) and he’s been isolated from anyone other than the servants. He’s bitter and feeling hopeless, so it’s interesting how his humanity doesn’t fully leave, but is sort of shut out of his mentality until he gets to know Belle and realizes being stuck as he says “a monster” is worth it to release any obligation from Belle because she herself has done nothing to warrant it.

[@the808songbird]

I also love that the transformation moment doesn't include a kiss - we see that she's fallen for him without needing the overplayed "true love's kiss," and I think that's really sweet

[@marieindia8116]

And it has been said that a kiss is a promise of sex, so throw that into the equation

[@kiikat]

"He's kind and gentle, he's my friend" 🥰. Thank you for simply, logically explaining what a beautiful movie / relationship this is!

[@ОльгаСергеева-з6х]

A thing that only occured to me recently: Belle being able to navigate the town without looking around just illustrates how repetetive her life is at that point. She walked those streets so many times and nothing ever changes there, it's pretty much Groundhog Day.

[@qwmx]

Ok. I got the Gaston harrassment part, but that part how she navigates the town went over my head. I legit thought it was an awesome trick, which I tried to do that back when I was a kid walking around in school. I didn't try to cross the road or walk home doing it, I wasn't stupid. I made sure to do it on school grounds, away from people playing sports and in areas with very low traffic.

[@RuSa_Frantic]

Unrelated but I love how Alan is geeking over the movie details. It's so fascinating to listen to passionate people like Alan and Jonathan, and it's one of the reasons why I genuinely love this channel. Besides crying with Alan, of course. 😂

[@trinaq]

Me too, since Alan is a professional filmmaker, it makes sense that he'd be more attuned to spotting easily missed details!

[@MiguelHernandez-yq4sl]

#cryingwithAlan absolutely the best section ever

[@Catpuff818]

It's really nice to have someone who knows about film who isn't an animator actually deeply appreciate animation as a medium equal to live action filmmaking. I had a homeroom teacher in high school who who also taught film who did not watch anything animated because he didn't see there was any worthwhile in doing so. I lost all respect for that teacher that day.

[@_stupidbro]

#cryingwithAlan

[@ilovelittlemix4034]

#cryingwithalan

[@lindsaymorrison7519]

It is also possible that the objects that cannot speak were all animals. We know the ottoman was a dog, so maybe the 9,000 plates and forks are all ants or something. When the curse lifts, they're going to need pest control.

[@lily_lotus_queen]

🤣

[@Charlotte8591]

I always thought they were the servants and cleaners of the kitchen.

[@rahbeeuh]

@@Charlotte8591 Mrs. Potts was a cook/servant so that doesn't stick

[@user-bx4ti6ig3i]

Even the roaches were cursed. 🤣

[@caitbarry9617]

I always figured that, not only did the curse turn the servants into objects but it also bought the objects to life. So when the people turn back into people, the forks just turn back into forks.

[@stephanginther9051]

Fun fact. While most of the Disney versions of the Grim fairy tails were made less dark by a long shot than the original, Beauty And The Beast's original story is only a little darker than the Disney movie. It is a LOT more complicated though. For one thing there were two fairies a good one and a bad one. Also Adam was a nice guy from the get-go, he wasn't cursed for being mean to an old lady, he was cursed BY an old lady (the bad fairy) for refusing to marry her. OH and she was his former nurse. She took care of him as a baby then decided he was hot once he hit his late teens and got ideas. (Herbert is that you?)

[@niag.3332]

Wow, that's pretty interesting, didn't know that. The danger with the Disney productions is that we tend to forget how the real stories were told. Muss ich wohl doch mal wieder meine Grimmsche Märchensammlung rauskramen 😁.

[@soyaliovee]

They changed it for the morals and I like their version better

[@meridaskywalker7816]

The original wasn't a Grimm fairytale, it was written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve.

[@PCGaijin80]

On this weird starting points for animated relationships topic, Howl's Moving Castle would be so interesting to look at. Would love to see what you guys think :)

[@mayakane9978]

PLEASE THIS!

[@BibbleRp]

YESSSS

[@sreekutty_rajesh1324]

Of course! I would love that.

[@carmenks6974]

Boost!

[@katrinedda1107]

YES OMG

[@gabiluch87]

I think the fact that in the "Belle" song scene, we don't see her in a close up as they are singing about her physical beauty is so we can see how she acts instead, so we can start understanding that's she's a beautiful person and that's what's gonna carry the story forward, starting with saving her father (well she does that twice) and later being empathic with the servants, Beast and later falling in love.

[@pinkcupcake4717]

I love the lead in for the scene. The prologue ends on "Who could ever love a beast?" and the camera pans to the answer.

[@Andrea-iw9gh]

Aw that’s so beautiful!

[@amayajones68]

Yes. I think I read somewhere that when they were designing Belle, they didn’t want her to know how pretty she was. Like that doesn’t matter to her.

[@the_glitter_is]

I think it also adds to how elusive & mysterious she appears to the townspeople.

[@amayajones68]

@@the_glitter_is Yeah. We get their perception of her before we meet Belle herself.

[@devchekhov7512]

The enchantress isn't on the side of good or evil automatically. Her spell was pretty indiscriminate and kinda Old Testament style, but that's the thing with fairy folk--you piss them off they can curse you and your future generations out of spite.

[@JuMiKu]

Exactly what I have come to think! That's just fairies for you. Not fairy godmothers-fairy, but "I will turn you into a donkey, steal your kid, put my own in their bed and turn all of your village into animals after a moment of considering. Why? Eh. You wouldn't get it."-fairy.

[@dootersnooter5343]

@@JuMiKu the original jokers

[@animeotaku307]

FR. Look up the story about Yallery Brown for how bad they can be.

[@msk-qp6fn]

Which is typical classic fae behavior actually. They are basically natural and karmatic force personified and often see no difference among the individuals of humanity

[@essencetune7341]

Yeah, but those people went after those were at least adults/ teenagers at the very least. This was an 11 year old child. Quick question do you know what love means at that age? The fairy was just lazy/ not good at her job, and didn't put much thought into it. I mean can you imagine an 11 year old left to their own devices and having the run of the place (think peter pan); and apply that to the real world. That is what this fairy did here. Also, the people who didn't bother to stand up to a kid, I don't think people would've minded the staff acting as stand in parents for the boy. The only excuse they have is that they feared for their lives. In those times nobles could have you put to death no matter how young, unless someone of their family/ equal rank stepped in. It goes back to the fairy, she had the power, the authority, nobody would've questioned her/ got in her way. 🤷 Belle did all the work. She basically raised a man child to be a man. In short, the fairy was pretty evil (she also cursed other children who were much younger than 10, and did absolutely nothing wrong, such as chip for example); just not as proactive about it as OG maleficent was. Neither of them fit into the good category.

[@jamiejones6163]

The bank heist in Sweden didn’t even happen in Stockholm, it was in Oslo. And the hostages of the bank refused to testify against the robbers because the police had made such a sh*tshow out of the negotiations that the hostages had lost faith in the police, where the robbers had actually done more to make sure that the hostages were comfortable than law enforcement did. And some ‘specialist therapist’ or something in Stockholm *heard* about this encounter and came up with this idea based off reports, without even meeting the victims.

[@cmm5542]

I know; it's crazy that people use such a realistic reaction to make up this entire category of 'dark romance' where people are 'irresistibly drawn' to their abusers for NO REASON. I have NEVER heard of a real-life instance of that happening. In abusive relationships I have actually heard of, the victim believed initially that their abuser was a good person; they were tricked and manipulated into falling in love with a false illusion, not the 'dark reality.' Once they learn the truth, they don't leave because they are afraid of the consequences of angering their abuser, simple as. And maybe natural human embarrassment to accept that they were deceived in the first place. It's a tough situation to 'just leave.' But nobody falls in love with abuse for the sake of being abused. It's just not reality. Edit: Just realized that I didn't clearly indicate that I don't think Beauty and the Beast is in any way representative of this fake 'romantic' Stockholm Syndrome at all, anyway!

[@RhamanaChan]

Alan in a kilt is just moving one step closer to when he cosplays as Elsa and I'm here for it.

[@risacooper]

Love your name and profile pic

[@DragonQuicksilver]

I was cracking up! I'm also here for it.

[@bettycharms]

Is your name a ref to alr

[@bdx96]

I wanna see him as Merida with beautifull, thick, unruly, red hair 😂

[@RhamanaChan]

@@bettycharms Yes :D

[@Jah_LEASE_yah]

The scene where Beast saves her life is the moment when Bell no longer feels threatened by Beast. It's where she starts to trust him. The snow ball fight is where she starts to see him as a friend. But she doesn't love him until she is free, he nearly dies, and she realizes she might lose him. That's why it's not Stockholm. Also she never loses her autonomy once the entire film. She chooses captivity to save her father and she is never submissive to Beast at any point in the movie even as she was his prisoner.

[@Ulffy]

"you cannot buy love with a library" That has to be tested, before I actually believe that. I feel like my love could be bought with a book nook. A library gets you an altar and eternal devotion... probably.

[@dryb3301]

My thoughts too.

[@lilgrogu1187]

Look, I can’t lie and say I wouldn’t develop ANY type of feelings towards someone if they gave me a library That big and beautiful 😹😹

[@hhoi8225]

Same

[@grayice]

Same

[@alexandrialeonora6542]

I thought the exact same thing while watching, haha! If the person has a wonderful personality AND got me my own personal library....then yeah, he's probably a keeper. X'D

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

What particularly disturbs me about the "Beauty and the Beast is StOcKhOlM sYnDrOmE" crowd is they NEVER, NEVER, NEVER make a single objection about Gaston's behavior. They waste all their breath calling the relationship between Beast and Belle as toxic, but turn a completely blind eye to how Gaston acts around Belle. I think it reveals more about them than it does the movie itself.

[@gabriellagalli8564]

That’s because they’re so freaking many like Gaston so they think it’s a phase or something normal. “Boys will be boys” kind of thing

[@brittybee6615]

Maybe they just think it should go without saying… No one actually believes Gaston’s behavior is ok. The only time I heard a defense of Gaston was from KZbinr John Doyle and that was tongue in cheek.

[@yukirei528]

If I had to guess, I'd probably say that this is, because Gastons behaviour is never portrayed as something good in the movie. It's fun to poke at things the movie portays as good or romantic and turn them around. It gives space to debate. Stating Gastons behaviour as bad wouldn't be a turn or an "interesting new take". It would just be stating the obvious... At least, that's what I think might be the reason for these people not pointing that out.😅

[@nebula1931]

Because Gaston's behavior isn't propped up like the relationship between the beast and belle is, that's not difficult to comprehend

[@aikikaname6508]

Umm, that’s because Gaston is the VILLAIN and it’s universally accepted that his behaviour is awful. The movie portrays him as awful, there’s never a shadow of doubt so of course they don’t mention his behaviour. It doesn’t need to be said

[@JWolfe0]

Why wife and not conquest/girlfriend: 1. Public declaration of belonging/ownership (in Gaston's eyes) 2. Belle would be entirely dependent on Gaston and therefore unable to leave 2a. Permanent (till death do us part, also who knows how divorce works in this small town)

[@brighidmcmullen9577]

Historically speaking, divorce would have been practically impossible for Belle. It was almost impossible for a woman to get a divorce for any reason. A man could by accusing her of infidelity but a woman had no way of escaping a failed or even abusive marriage. So yes, marrying Belle would be the truest form of ownership.

[@spooniesarah]

Well maybe she could have attempted to divorce him by claiming he was impotent, but that would have required proving it. Yes, in front of some sort of jury.

[@fruzsimih7214]

@@brighidmcmullen9577 It's a Roman Catholic society, so there would be no divorce for anyone, period. The man having affairs or even permanent mistresses would be more accepted though.

[@BlackParadeMarcher1]

This was totally refreshing because I defend their relationship quite often.

[@kristinak6092]

Me too...if they want to look at a super unhealthy relationship (Stockholm-ish?)....critique Labyrinth. I can't blame Sarah bc The Goblin King was HOOOTTTT....but still just a smidge unhealthy.

[@RiveroftheWither]

Hearing him say the words "That's not Stockholm syndrome" was so unbelievably refreshing.

[@WarriorDan]

"Gaston is a guy in his 30s, and he's still acting like a high school boy". This basically sums up Gaston's entire character arc, or lack thereof, in a nutshell.

[@chloeevans5938]

literally Edward from Twilight lol

[@_stupidbro]

@@chloeevans5938 😂

[@bigsistahtips]

The truth of most people out there

[@amiecrowsong]

@@bigsistahtips indeed, there are way too many Gastons irl, and that is terrifying

[@Onlyabby-2002]

@@amiecrowsong since that would be the case for most people...I PEFER to stay single🙂

[@anunaskedforopinion]

I also love how Belle is not intimidated by Beast's anger. She sees his character weakness, so his aggression seems toothless to her.

[@rebekahking6276]

Unrelated note: I’d love to see a Therapist Reacts video on Shrek and Fiona’s relationship. ❤️

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Oh, we will get there!

[@rebeccaw4507]

And some Disney references along the way.

[@siempretrato]

@@CinemaTherapyShow you guys are awesome.

[@Xx_Oleander_xX]

@@CinemaTherapyShow thank god!

[@inkheart151]

Whoohoo!

[@thajocoth]

In his rage, the Beast destroyed all of his original non-sentient furniture. It's all stuffed into the west wing. This is how you can be sure that reversing the curse doesn't kill anyone. Also, it wasn't just his direct servants that were transformed, but their whole families. Chip demonstrates that, as he's just a kid. That's why the numbers are so high.

[@natesmodelsdoodles5403]

You've got the castle's population. Then you've got the castle's staff (including both a figurative and a literal army). Then you have their familes. All told, the blast radius on that curse could've easily been thousands of people.

[@devchekhov7512]

If they shortened the curse to 3 years he's be 18 at the time. Quite an oversight. You can see in the stained glass they depicted him in an adult's body, so I'll just assume that for a brief moment they sucked at math lol

[@HexenkoeniginVonAngmar]

Plus I'm willing to bet that they had royal guests that brought along their personal servants, both of which had families as well.

[@natesmodelsdoodles5403]

@@HexenkoeniginVonAngmar People really tend to underestimate just how many people there can be involved in late-medieval to early-modern logistics, and just how many people could latch onto the logistical chain. Something as simple as an army would have a convoy of cooks, doctors, armourers, and other assorted servants following behind it. This could also be followed by a SECOND convoy composed of just about anybody who was either headed in the same direction or was looking to score a business opportunity with the army.

[@rludlow91]

Beast was also the one to see beyond her beauty. So often in film, the story is “clever girl has makeover and everyone realises she’s beautiful”, but rarely do they do it the other way round. Film usually says “if you are female and have a mind, someone may come to see your beauty”, but beautiful women are still treated as two dimensional and lesser, never told “if you are female and beautiful, someone may come to see your mind”. Belle is the only Disney princess celebrated for being clever, and Beast (other than her father) goes from commenting on their differences as her being beautiful and him not, to her being intelligent and embracing her sharing that with him (reading together scene). Note that the casting of Emma Watson / Hermione in the live action version plays somewhat into this too (loved them continuing to celebrate clever women!)

[@elaineb7065]

The Legally Blonde films have plenty to say about a girl with, & I quote: "A French manicure & a Harvard law degree" (quote from the second film where she goes to DC)

[@keylanoslokj1806]

stockhold syndrome? or female hybristophilia and the fantasy/desire to "tame the Beast".... ?

[@BarbaraMarieLouise]

Well, what most don’t know is that this story is originally a French fairy tale based on an real love story. Katharina de Medici forced one of her court ladies to marry a wolf-man that they considered to be a beast. But he was actually a good hearted man and on the wedding night he didn’t force her to anything but was rather shy. So with the time they both fell in love and then had 4 kids together. So, in fact, the original story turned out to be a big love story.

[@theanicolesallustio4377]

As a girl from the same city of Caterina de Medici (I think it's the same person you wrote about?), I'm absolutely going to investigate this story

[@BarbaraMarieLouise]

@@theanicolesallustio4377 Si! Vai a lo investigare!

[@Furienna]

A wolf-man? How can you be a wolf-man?

[@BarbaraMarieLouise]

@@Furienna oh, That’s when you grow hair on your whole body, also the face etc. It’s called like this. It’s something genetical. But it’s not a chimera of human and wolf.

[@Furienna]

@@BarbaraMarieLouise Ah, that is what I thought as well. But I wanted to make sure.

[@kamuidragon7328]

The thing I like about the library is that where Gaston was always putting Belle down and making fun of her for reading, the Beast acknowledges her love of reading and books, and shows that by giving her the library. 🙂

[@natesmodelsdoodles5403]

And the way he's acting when he gives it to her, too. It's honestly adorable.

[@ingridsuperfreak]

And when she reads and he is contemplating her , then he says "can you read it again??" ....something that Gaston would NEVER do

[@madisyngolab330]

Not gonna lie, seeing how excited Beast is to show her the library gets me every time

[@nurainiarsad7395]

“Why wife” - a girlfriend doesn’t give the same (or any) social status, especially in a society back then, and still is the case in more conservative/ traditional societies. Even if a guy gets less social penalty for extramarital relationships than a girl, a gf still gives no respectability, which is useless to someone desiring a whole village’s admiration and to be their undisputed top dog, which is Gaston’s motivation. I mean he only got nasty when he’s refused and embarrassed; until then he’s quite socially conforming. In such societies a married man >> a single man, especially when he has children - that’s why in his proposal to Belle he paints the picture of marital bliss and it included 6-7 children. ‘Married man’ implies he’s mature and useful to the community, rather than immature and unwilling to undertake social responsibility (implied if a man won’t marry). note: *implied*, since in Gaston’s case he is still pretty immature. tldr; Wife + resulting children add respectability and social esteem. gf and bastards do not, and sometimes even deduct respectability and social esteem even for a man.

[@h.haydon8044]

Wife= ownership, especially in that time period

[@violetopal6264]

Very well put

[@cauhscrymdorn2132]

Does medieval period had concept of girlfriend? There's courting or flirting but not really a status of girlfriend. Any women that's not wife its free for all at that time.

[@HouseMDaddict]

13:15 ish, Beast being genuinely surprised that Belle wants to take her father's place. The incredulous tone is one of the many reasons why this film is beautiful. Beast thinks everyone is a horrible person and horrible to each other, and then theres Belle starting to rewrite his perceptions even then. Then throughout the film she continues to be accepting and courageous and fearlessly herself, which is SO unlike the people in her town who wouldnt dare do anything that would be perceived as "unacceptable" or "different". Belle's personality alone is the reason why she was able to look beyond Beast's fear tactics and bad attitude to eventually encourage him to start thinking differently about life and people and himself also.

[@crazyhannahl]

I totally agree with John on why Belle is a good character, it's why shes my favorite. She is an example of positive femininity. She girly but that doesnt make her weak, it makes her strong.

[@rahbeeuh]

If you watched Once Upon A Time did you like that version of Belle?

[@crazyhannahl]

@@rahbeeuh I did not, unfortunately. Do you think they stayed true to her essence?

[@alethearia]

Animation major here! They actually had animators that specifically did lighting work for each of the characters. Like each character gets a little team, where you have a primary animator for a character, and they have their cleanup artists, and then you have a lighting specialist that will go in and animate the shadows on a different layer similar to animated VFX. The whole process is really cool.

[@LadyA1023]

It's like Gaston is hunting Belle, and she's the stubborn prey that keeps getting away.

[@HouseMDaddict]

Precisely!

[@mermazing1672]

Good for Belle, don’t want her getting caught at all.

[@justcallmebon2684]

I believe that we don’t get close ups of Belle in the Belle song because it’s about how the town sees her, not how she is. The town doesn’t get a closer, more intimate look at Belle so neither does the audience.

[@sallyjrwjrw6766]

This is a good point. I liked how in the animated version the town thought she was pretty but weird, versus the live action version where they just didn't like her.

[@LeilaAMMartin]

I think Gaston wanting a wife specifically is about ownership and control. Especially in this medieval-France situation, "wife" infers a degree of ownership that "girlfriend" or "conquest" don't. And he's so full of himself that he doesn't even care what she wants. It's totally fine if my wife finds me repugnant, as long as I own her and can tell her what to do. As long as she's MINE.

[@melanief4115]

Not medieval but yes

[@sarahk5412]

@petal drops actually in the stage musical he's actively pursuing them as side pieces, even after declaring his intentions to marry Belle.

[@msk-qp6fn]

Excellent point!!

[@kyrajager907]

"Releasing the curse was actually a genocide". That joke killed me too xD

[@irongorillafederation1082]

I mean technically Beast was like 10 when the witch came. It's kind of messed up in multiple ways.

[@cedarflower]

Yup

[@rog2224]

The dresser with the baseball bat did not go quietly into the night...

[@mili4383]

if you pause it right there, there's a lot of meme potential

[@queenannsrevenge100]

It's the "Wookie Slaves on the Death Star" Dilemma all over again! 😁

[@Ganychan]

What I've heard is that Stockholm syndrome is about survival: understanding and cooperating with your captors in order to get through the traumatic experience. The thing is, from the moment Belle decides to stay after the wolf attack, she's no longer his prisoner. The first time she chooses to stay is to save her dad (so not really "free will"), the second time is out of compassion for the beast and a real choice. In the following conversation she wins the argument and he considers her with empathy and humility for the first time: "You're welcome." Emma Watson also pointed out that in the case of Stockholm syndrome the captives take on the captors' point of view, meanwhile Belle always voices her opinion, is not afraid of an argument, runs away and maintains her independence of thought the whole time. Finally, when she leaves for good, it erases the last traces of the prisoner deal, and when she comes back they only have a lovers' dynamic. She says "I love you" after she's been back into the outside world, where she would have gotten over an unhealthy infatuation and gotten a new perspective on her situation. But instead she still sees all the good about the beast, defends him, goes to fight for him and ultimately saves him from death with love, a reversal of the traditional fairy tale. What a boss.

[@jorgebersabe293]

There is Stockholm Syndrome in the movie and Lefou is the one who suffers it: -Lefou is constantly mistreated by Gaston and Lefou not only returns to Gaston, but also enables and justifies his behavior. Lefou is completely dominated by Gaston to the point he doesn't even have a will of his own anymore.

[@Ganychan]

@@jorgebersabe293 interesting! It's the Minion complex.

[@xRaiofSunshine]

SS honestly needs to be redefined and renamed, it’s so inaccurate to what actually happened in the original incident.

[@Evan.the.Butler]

@@jorgebersabe293 My guess on the psychological side is that Lefou is known as Gaston's servant, and so no one notices him outside that. Gaston, by treating him awfully as a servant, ends up giving him the most attention, and thus becomes the person Lefou looks to for everything. As seen in studies, when put in an environment where everyone around you is saying something confidently--even if it's wrong--people will change their own mind to match; we need social support. That's probably why Lefou doesn't notice his mistreatment and instead focuses on Gaston. I'm probably reading too much into this... 😅

[@Wiiguy1606]

@@jorgebersabe293 yeah even if the kid when I watch the animated version after Gaston threw LeFou into the mud saying that "he would have bell for his wife make no mistake about that" I responded with why does LeFou hang out with this jerk? It's one of the reasons why I don't hate the live action version as much as everybody else does because it actually does bring in some good things that kind of redeem some elements of the original. In that version with who actually why is this up trying to treat Gaston like a friend rather than his master but when he sees what kind of a man Gaston really is and he actually end up leaving him and actually does help fight alongside the enchanted objects. LeFou even saved Mrs Potts life

[@kayleeruiz]

I NEVER fell for the whole “stockholm syndrome” buzzfeed talking point/hot take… she was never really imprisoned or locked away besides the first 30 mins. She even describes it as “a promise she made”. She could leave at any point (which she literally DOES halfway through) but she goes back because she’s a good person and wants to save the Beast. Before he officially gave her his blessing to leave, no one was really going to stop her from leaving before that. Both the Beast, Belle, and the enchanted staff knew that.

[@morianner]

It's sad when there's one dumb ass article with strong enough presentation based on someone's assumption from watching 10 seconds of the film and people buy it and don't bother forming their own opinion on the matter.

[@madelinegarber7860]

Totally agreed. I never knew that was even a perspective people had until now.

[@StevieDecks]

I just realized after watching this movie 500 times over the course of my life that Gaston literally points a gun at her when he’s telling LeFou he’s got his “sights set on that one.” Not only is that an incredibly dangerous and incorrect way to handle a gun, but it shows early on that Belle is literally just a target to him.

[@HouseMDaddict]

And he wants to mount her on his wall like a "trophy" like he would a deer. 🤢. Trophy wife has a new meaning

[@Popgurliess]

​@@HouseMDaddict i once saw a video saying gaston is right and belle is an evil witch. sis i-

[@theredvelvetwitch]

When I was in high school, I had a “friend” who quickly became a creepy obsessor. He frequently made the comparison of him and I as Belle and Gaston, with him obviously as Gaston, and while the comparison to our dynamic was very accurate I think he genuinely believed he was a catch and that I was stupid to not date him (much like Gaston). When I turned him down, suddenly he saw himself as the Beast that no one loves. The irony was completely lost on him 😂

[@rahbeeuh]

Isn't it a red flag that a person would be comparing themselves to animated characters? Let alone a narcissistic animated character?

[@calebgabriel3278]

@@rahbeeuh oh this man had SO many problems. I was only friends with him because he knew all of my other friends and was involved in a lot of the same things I was involved with. This was just the most relevant problem lmao Don't worry, he no longer has access to me - i cut him off a long time ago.

[@rahbeeuh]

@@calebgabriel3278 good thing. Sometimes people like that can be dangerous. Take care.

[@danielpleitez-martinez7638]

@@rahbeeuh it’s ok if it’s a joke, but the way she describes it is a red flag for aure

[@animeotaku307]

@@rahbeeuh I think it’s a bigger red flag when someone compares themself to a villain. Seriously, did this guy fall asleep while watching the movie?

[@saphirarose5866]

I love that Gaston's title is "No-Belle prize winner" in the captions 🤣

[@asvpreis]

I couldn't resist! XD

[@theakaneko]

Also "book thief"... I had to send to my besties like "omg you guys! 1. Great vid. 2. Watch with cc... it makes it better!"

[@asvpreis]

@@theakaneko Thank you so much for sharing the video. It means a lot to us!

[@KristenRowenPliske]

LMAO I didn’t see that!

[@marallenrondez2606]

I noticed "Gastoff" and "Gastnever" too

[@rissa7059]

I have also been turned around; I loved Belle as a kid because she was a girl that loved books as much as I did, but as I got older, I got that same idea that she was just a victim of Stockholm syndrome. You guys gave me back my love for Belle 😊

[@pinkcupcake4717]

Little detail I love about the Belle scene, everyone in town is in autumn tones, greens and oranges, with Gaston in crimson red. But Belle is in a cool sky blue, she literally sticks out from the crowd! And by the end, the Beast moves from wearing red, to purple, to that iconic royal blue suit in the ballroom scene. And no, the silverware weren't sentient, they were enchanted to move. Nice touch from the fairy, now that everyone there lacked opposable thumbs. Not as big of a jerk as she could have been!

[@blacklotus714]

In terms of the “why does Gaston want a wife and not a girlfriend”, I think first of all, as mentioned, wife is seen as the “finish line” or the ultimate best you can get in a relationship. But I also think that there’s a certain level of not being able to lose where if you have a girlfriend breaking up with him could be easy, whereas it’s much harder to end a marriage.

[@bellamckinnon8655]

You raise two great points there! It certainly does give a more sinister and simultaneously desperate impression of Gaston.

[@mutantmagnet]

These 2 points are very important for the time period in question.

[@byMidnyt]

To a man like Gaston, a wife is the ultimate trophy, a possession. Other men will respect your ownership when she's a wife, not necessarily when she's a girlfriend. How many times has a woman said "I have a boyfriend" and a man replied "He doesn't have to know". Tell him "I'm married.", and he's much more likely to back off. Belle is the most beautiful, so of course he wants her to be the mother of his children so they too, will be the most beautiful as well.

[@danielland3767]

Facts even in relationships now, marriage is seen as the final goal of success. Like getting "that job" thinking you made it. Only to get fired at random, told when to come & go when to take a vacation, needing a doctor's note etc. Marriage is a contract, limitations, restrictions, some freedoms disguised as "love" care, etc.

[@MsKissbone]

Also it plays in a time where people got married to produce heirs, so that they have a pension plan. And being a woman with children but without husband was shameful.

[@nekkidnora]

In french, Gaston's line is "when I was young I ate 4 dozen eggs to feel strong and fit! Now that I'm grown I eat 49, and that's why I'm the best" which I have always adored because he clearly has no idea how many 4 dozen is if he's boasting about eating 49, just- such a great translation! I laugh every single time!

[@julianakarasawa315]

LOL in Brazilian Portuguese he goes from 2 dozen to 5 dozen and boasts about being larger than a big cart 😂

[@daniellemusella1594]

@NoraJulie He also clearly has no idea of how he keeps risking salmonella, nor how he probably has VERY high cholesterol. (3/12/2022)

[@zashgekido5616]

@@daniellemusella1594 I mean.. Yea

[@WiscoKnight0806]

The scene where Belle and the Beast are dancing, that swooping shot across the ceiling and back down, is my absolute favorite scene. When you think about what it took to animate something like that, is incredible and awe inspiring.