Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast...
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast...
- The first trailer for the 2017 live-action remake is full of nostalgia goodness for fans of the original. The castle looks incredible, the rose is gorgeous, and they even use the same music from the beginning of the animated film. And then there's this exchange.Lumiere: Look! A girl!
Cogsworth: Yes, I know it's a girl, you fool.
Lumiere: What if she is the one?- And then when we and Belle see the rose, a very familiar tune can be heard playing.
- Maurice trying to sound calm while talking to Chip before he runs out of the castle
- Chip introducing himself to Belle, with Belle smiling warmly at the little teacup.Chip: Hello! Pleased to meet you!
- The iconic dance sequence between Belle and the Beast is at least as romantic as the original film, as first evidenced in the trailers and page image.
- Maurice's song "How Does A Moment Last Forever?" can be this, and a Tear Jerker, especially since he sings it while building a music box that depicts his own younger self painting a portrait of his now-deceased wife and baby daughter, while nearby we see that actual portrait hung in a place of honor, as well as his sketches of Belle at different ages.
- Maurice assuring Belle that she's not odd, that it's the villagers who are small-minded, and that her wonderful mother was just like her.
- The exchange Belle and Maurice have before he takes off for the market. Despite his trip being doomed to end in short order, it's a perfect illustration of the trust between father and daughter. And when he almost gets eaten by wolves and finds himself at a haunted castle, he still makes it a priority to get her a flower before he goes.Maurice: What can I bring you from the marketplace?Belle: A rose, like the one in the painting.Maurice: You ask for that every year.Belle: And every year you bring it.Maurice: Then I shall bring you another.
- Despite how his father raised him to be cruel, if the Beast saving Belle from the wolves is any indication, his father had failed to snuff out all the good inside him.
- Mrs. Potts first meets Belle, face-to-face, while she's trying to escape with a Bedsheet Ladder. Rather than going off to let the Beast know, or reprimanding Belle for trying to run, Mrs. Potts just reminds her that the castle is in a perpetual winter and offers her a cup of tea to keep her warm.
- The Beast showing Belle the library. It was initially just to show Belle the other books he's read, to prove that there are better things to read than ''Theatre/RomeoAndJuliet''. But upon learning she's a BookWorm, he politely and spontaneously grants her access to the library whenever she wishes. It's his first ever genuine act of kindness towards Belle and possibly towards anyone since before his mother's death.Belle: It's wonderful!
Beast: Well, yes. I suppose it is. Well... if you like it so much, then it's yours.- That whole scene is pure heartwarming. Especially when the Beast makes a dry remark about some of the books being in Greek.
Belle: Was that a joke? (grinning) Are you making jokes now?
Beast: (visibly fighting a smile) ...Maybe.
(He walks away, finally smiling to himself. Belle watches him go, smiling from ear-to-ear.)- She then looks around the library, and it sinks in that all these books are hers. She totally freaks out, and starts fangirling right then and there.
- Even when Belle is not fond of the Beast, she shows great concern for the serving staff, and wants to do whatever she can to end the curse.
- When she asks if there's anything she can do to help, Cogsworth begins to mention how she can break the curse a little too readily... Only for Mrs Potts to interrupt and insist not to worry about them. She's well aware that the curse must be broken willingly, and it would be selfish to force Belle to love the Beast just because she wants to help them.
- Belle teaching the Beast how to treat Philippe gently. It's so lovely to see the Beast bond with Belle's trusted steed.
- Not to mention how, unlike the animated version, we see Philippe receive reassurance that he has nothing to fear of the castle grounds or its master. (Well, unless you count the song "Human Again".)
- When the Beast eats his meal (as messily as the first movie, mind you), he's slobbering up what looks to be tomato soup. When he looks up at Belle, he's embarrassed by how the sauce is dripping from his beard like blood. Nonetheless, Belle isn't disturbed and instead gives him a forgiving smile.
- Later, during the song "Something There", Belle actually gestures to the seat next to her, and gives a flirty little smile as she looks back at the Beast, who understands what she's asking. He attempts to eat his soup as neatly as possible. As she did in the first film, Belle meets him halfway.
- Also during that they have something in common; Both are READING at the dinner tablenote . It shows there is something that they are connecting to.
- The servants really go out of their way to charm and entertain Belle during "Be Our Guest" (even if they don't let her eat during the song, although judging by Belle's words after the song and being offered pudding, it can be assumed that they let her eat after the song). Cogsworth in particular really cuts loose and can be seen smiling ear to ear as he dances along to the finale of the song, having a genuinely good time.
- Agathe finding Maurice in the woods the next morning, taking him back to her home, and nursing him back to health. If Agathe wasn't really the immortal Enchantress, she would've made a fine second wife for him.
- In this version, the Beast mentions how he asked Belle to dance with him in the ballroom. His bewildered explanation of this to his servants truly lets his Adorkable tendencies shine through beautifully."Well, I saw her in the ballroom, and said, 'You're making everything look so beautiful, we should have a dance tonight.' I never imagined she'd actually say yes!"
- In the book version, while the servants prepare the Beast for the dance, Mrs. Potts boldly sums up how the curse previously did nothing to improve his attitude before Belle came along, right before she follows it up by saying the servants love him. Especially for the person Belle has helped him become.
- Belle and Beast's romance during the second half of the film, in comparison to the original, appears to be more grounded and down-to-earth. Here, Belle becomes closer to the Beast not just because of his spontaneous kindness, but also his dry sense of humor, and having an interest in reading like she does. Their scene together in the colonnade and their scene in Paris where they learn about Belle's mother is where it shines:Belle: (regarding the servants) They know how to have a good time!
Beast: Yes, but when I enter a room, laughter dies.
Belle: Me too. The villagers say that I'm a funny girl, but I'm not sure they mean it as a compliment.
Beast: I'm sorry. ...Your village sounds terrible!
Belle: (chuckles) Almost as lonely as your castle. - Lumière and Plumette's relationship is adorable and just as romantic as Belle and the Beast's. In the original animated film, they had about three romantic scenes together. Here, it is more established, with them comforting each other as they are transforming into objects, and dancing with each other. Not to mention, they are much more devoted to each other than the original animated film and Broadway play. Also in their first scene together, Lumière tells Plumette that he would risk anything to break the curse just so he can kiss her again. Then as they are finally transforming into inanimate objects after the last petal fell, Lumière mourns over Plumette when she is the first to go inanimate. Finally when they transform back into humans, Lumière and Plumette share a kiss upon seeing each other human again!
- The TV Spots for the film showing the interactions between Belle and Beast, likely to show the blossoming relationship between them.
- Belle helping a village girl learn to read.
- Everything about LeFou. At the beginning of the film, he is Gaston's "best friend" who never questions him and even has an attraction to him. However when Gaston starts to commit cruel deeds, like leaving Maurice to die in the woods, he starts to question his loyalty to Gaston and even shows genuine concern for Maurice. When Gaston proves to LeFou that he sees him as nothing more than just a tool in his plans, e.g. using him as his human shield, LeFou performs a Heel–Face Turn at last to save Mrs. Potts from falling, and (in the novelization) telling Belle where Gaston has gone. At the film's finale, he is invited by the Prince to the celebration dance where he dances with Stanley.
- LeFou trying to guilt-trip Gaston: "Some storm, huh? At least we're not tied to a tree in the middle of nowhere surrounded by bloodthirsty wolves. You know, it's not too late! We can always turn back..."
- Also this exchange, after he saves Mrs. Potts. The whole fight began because Mrs. Potts was incensed at LeFou basically calling her Chip's grandmother, which is immediately forgiven upon the rescue.LeFou: I used to be on Gaston's side, but we are so in a bad place right now.
Mrs. Potts: (kindly) You're too good for him anyway. Shall we get back to it then?
(Lefou nods enthusiastically, and runs off with her to join the servants in driving off the villagers) - When Maurice shows up in the tavern after Gaston left him for the wolves, LeFou is happy to see him alive. He never wanted to leave him in the woods in the first place, and has just been telling Gaston that it's given him nightmares.
- LeFou's guilt for shooting a cow in an
extended scene shared by Luke Evans on his social media accounts:
LeFou: [accidentally fires Gaston's rifle and kills cow] I really hope that cow was old.- When Maurice tells the other villagers of the Beast, most of them laugh but LeFou politely contains his laughter.
- As the castle is under siege, Mrs. Potts is among the household objects, fighting to keep the invaders out. However, once she sees her husband whom she's been separated from for who knows how long, she instantly stops to gasp "Mr. Potts!" It makes their true reunion all the more heartwarming.
- Also doubles as a Tear Jerker. When the Beast lets her go and lets her keep the magic mirror to look back on him, Belle was so touched by this and after a brief pause, says "Thank you." Then before she leaves, she turns to look back at the Beast one last time, this time with tears in her eyes. If you think about it, when Belle and Beast were visiting her old home, she learned that her plague-stricken mother sacrificed her last moments with her father so that their daughter can be safe from the plague; all done out of love. And now when the Beast lets her go save her father and lets her keep the magic mirror so she'll have a way to look back on him, she might have realized that he did this because he loves her, and now she's become certain of her feelings for him (whereas earlier, she was uncertain of her feelings due to being his prisoner.).
- During "Evermore," the Beast climbs up to the highest tower in his castle as he's singing. While it seems like a typical thing for a Disney song, a few brief shots during the scene reveal he's doing it so he can keep his eyes on Belle for as long as possible. Doubles as a Tear Jerker.
- When Beast sees Belle return during the climax, we get this heart-melting moment:Beast: BELLE! YOU CAME BACK!
Belle: I tried to stop them!
Beast: Stay there! I'm coming! - The Beast leaps a chasm to reach Belle!
- One occurs between Cadenza and Garderobe during the battle between villagers and furniture. Despite the fact that they're different pieces of furniture and have been cursed (and separated!) for who knows how long, things have not dulled:Garderobe (at the top of the stairs): MAESTROOOO?Cadenza (at the bottom of the stairs): Darling, at last!Garderobe (now climbing onto a banister and noticing her husband is being attacked): I'm coming, my love! This is it: The FAT LADY IS SINGING! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH-HHHHHH!(Garderobe pile-drives her husband's attacker)Cadenza: BRAVISSIMA!(Cadenza fires piano keys at the people around him.)
- Another for the two of them; Cadenza refers to her as "darling" and "dear love" and she refers to him as "my love" - odd couple they may be, but it works.
- Garderobe forcibly dresses and applies makeup to three of the male villagers. Two of them are horrified, but one of them (Stanley) is genuinely happy with the makeover. Upon her instruction to, "Go, be free," the aforementioned two run in terror while Stanley gracefully walks away. It's played for humour, but the film also gives this character a sense of dignity the other two lack and never shows any indication said character is punished for enjoying the makeover.
- Even though it doubles as a Tear Jerker, the enchanted objects becoming inanimate upon the deadline of the curse has its moments:
- Lumiere gently cradling the first to go, his love Plumette.
- Garderobe being unafraid of dying because at least she's with Cadenza, with the one she loves most. He begs her not to leave him.
- Lumiere and Cogsworth's It Has Been an Honor exchange.
- Frou Frou barking worriedly when all the other enchanted objects are inanimate. It rings true with all the loyalty a dog exemplifies when they sense something wrong with their owners.
- The coatrack, Monsieur Chapeau, catching Chip before he hits the ground and placing him next to his mother just before becoming a permanent coat rack.
- The special moment when Beast transforms back into a prince. Like in the original, Belle at first doesn't recognize him at first but when she sees his blue eyes, she sees that the Beast and the prince are one and the same, and she smiles before they move in to their Big Damn Kiss. But unlike the original, Belle and the prince don't say anything but you can definitely tell what they are saying just their expressions alone, which makes this moment extra romantic.
- When the spell is broken, the enchanted objects are revived and restored to their human forms! Just moments ago, they were inanimate objects, and seeing them come back to life is joyful beyond words! Watching them celebrate as friends and family makes it all the better:
- Madame de Garderobe and Maestro Cadenza are beyond ecstatic to be together again, to the point where they're already kissing and embracing with Tears of Joy before they're fully human. It doesn't matter that there's still fabric flying around them as Madame Garderobe's cloth interior vanishes, and that Cadenza is still missing teeth from the battle with the villagers--they're finally reunited and making up for lost time immediately. During her final song in the ending, Garderobe turns to look at her husband and they smile at one another. (And his teeth have been fixed!)
- The teacart is about to roll away, smashing Chip and Mrs. Potts before they can change back, and the newly restored Cogsworth stops it just in the knick of time, which leads to an amusing sequence where the now human mother and son ride the tea tray down the palace steps like a sled. Chip even cries "WEEEEEEE!" as they fly through the air, while his mother's exclamation is "OH MY G-" before they land and skid the length of the stairs.
- Cogsworth gleefully makes a jolly little "oooh!" as he witnesses Lumiere returning to human form, and they both happily greet each other, like old friends.
Cogsworth: Lumiere!
Lumiere: Cogsworth, we beat the clock! (laughs heartily)
Cogsworth: Mon ami!- Lumiere and Plumette's Big Damn Kiss upon reuniting with one another.
- The reunion of the Potts Family. Jean has spent the entire film knowing he's forgotten something — and at the end he's found it. His beloved wife and son.
- Although Cogsworth doesn't like her very much, the fact his wife Clothilde is genuinely thrilled to see her long-lost husband shows a sweeter side to her. Who knew deep down that unpleasant exterior, she has a heart! Although towards the end, at first Cogsworth is a bit irritated with her at the dance. But the last time we see him dancing with his wife, he is shown enjoying himself. Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other indeed.
- The cherry on top is when the Prince joins his servants in celebrating. In the beginning, the Prince often felt too disconnected to interact with his servants, even though they were like family to him. Now, he can finally embrace them for the real family they've been to him. They too reciprocate and accept him happily; he even addresses Lumiere as "old friend" before hugging him fiercely.
- If you look closely enough, you can see LeFou talking with Chapeau and the cook in the background as Belle hugs Chip. Ever since he switched sides, he's gained quite some new friends!
- Although it's followed by a mega-tearjerker, when Belle and the Beast use the portal book to go to Belle's childhood home in Paris, the Beast asks her what she'd like to do first, throwing out a few suggestions for places they could go. He just sounds so excited at the prospect of seeing Paris with her, as if he's forgotten, just for a moment, about his curse and his inability to rejoin society.
- Alternatively, it could be that he's aware he can't go, but still wants Belle to go out and have a good time.
- Even in the Tear Jerker portion of this scene, upon learning the truth of how her mother died, Belle is nearly overwhelmed with sadness. And she says to the Beast, "Let's go home..." There's a glimmer of surprise in the Beast's face. Belle has acknowledged his castle as their home.
- Later when Belle and Maurice are trapped in the asylum wagon, Belle insists they have to save the Beast. Maurice is taken aback, given the Beast has done nothing worth coming to his rescue... Until Belle presents proof that the Beast is a good person: her mother's glass rose.
- "Evermore" is mostly heartbreaking, but it's also heartwarming in how the Beast reflects on how Belle has changed him, and how he'll never forget her, or the positive impact she had on his life.Now I know she'll never leave me,
even as she fades from view.
She will still inspire me, be a part
of everything I do. - Everything about Pere Robert. He (alongside Jean Potts) is one of the few nice people in the village and is the first to help Belle pick up her laundry after it's spilled all over the ground by the angry villagers. He is also one of the few who doesn't go after the Beast, showing he trusts Belle's word over Gaston's. (Yes, Jean does join the mob, but it's out of genuine fear instead of malice). Token Good Teammate for the win!
- This is basically Belle and the Prince's Earn Your Happy Ending.
- For once in her life, she's not being mocked as an oddball. And for the first time since he was a Beast, the Prince gets to rejoin human society, having changed for the better. They share the mutual feeling of finally belonging. When Belle asks the Prince if he can grow a beard, the Prince playfully growls. It shows his character development came a long way, from being humorless and bad-tempered, to friendly and good-natured.
- The enchantress watches from the side as she savors how everything has come together.
- We see Maurice painting a portrait of the dance scene before him. In regards to his song "How Does a Moment Last Forever", Maurice is all about using art to capture the small moments of life that are beautiful or worth remembering. He's painting his daughter and her boyfriend (soon-to-be-husband) so, come what may, everyone will always remember the beginning of happily ever after.
- Mrs. Potts approaches Maurice, singing the last verse of the title theme to him, and he nods in approval. It comes across as Beast's surrogate mother befriending her surrogate son's soon-to-be father-in-law, parent to parent.
- The novelization makes it much clearer and more heartwarming that (besides the Prince) Belle sees Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Plumette, Madame Garderobe, Maestro Cadenza, Chapeau, and Frou-Frou as a part of her family just as much as Maurice!
- Lefou and Stanley, the villager who was put in a dress earlier, end up dancing together. Lefou looks shocked but delighted, and Stanley looks completely in love.
- The ending song holding that last powerful note, an epic and moving way to conclude this 2017 remake.
- Grade-A Jerkass that he is, Gaston appears sincere when he tells LeFou, "You're the best," and asks "How is it no girl has snatched you up yet?" In a similar vein, in this version, the song "Gaston" seems like a genuine effort on LeFou's part to cheer his friend up. His loyalty and care for his friend is entirely sincere... even if said friend doesn't really deserve it. And deserving of it or not, Gaston acknowledges it for what it is, and genuinely appreciates it.
- The fact that Frou-Frou, despite being turned into a footstool, still behaves like an ordinary, happy, energetic little dog, and clearly still loves his owners, and still recognizes them even after they've been turned into a harpsichord and a wardrobe. In the end, after everyone's been turned back, Garderobe is holding him and cuddling him while she sings.
- A deleted scene has Cogsworth rushing in to save Lumiere when he’s in danger. Despite his whining , his loyalty to his friends is never at doubt.
- Turns into a moment of funny, when he sees he has to attack his wife.
- "Days in the Sun" is a bittersweet one. From Lumiere and Plumette dancing together, to Cadenza fondly reminiscing about his wife, to Belle's verse.How, in the midst of all this sorrow,
can so much hope and love endure?
I was innocent, and certain.
Now I'm wiser, but unsure.
I can't go back into my childhood,
one that my father made secure.
I can feel a change in me...
I'm stronger, but still not free.
