And, this movie got me from every direction! The surprising thing to me was with whom I most identified. I have been a mother for more than eighteen years and, surprise, will continue to be a mother for rest of my life. I have been a daughter since the moment I was born. I was not expecting a mother-daughter story that would hit me where I live, so to speak. I was expecting a more traditional Disney romance with a bit of a twist on the married-happily-ever-after, and hoping for not-married-happily-ever-after. It’s a very nice story and definitely not the one I was expecting. Of course, as Merida apologizes to her mother who is nearly a bear permanently, the spell is broken.
And, at the climax of the story Queen-Elinor-the-Bear bests an old ferocious bear to protect her daughter and family. They each gain a better understanding of the other’s point of view. In the process of working together to undo the spell mother and daughter learn to listen to and hear one another. We soon learn that unless the rend that pride has torn is mended in two days, Elinor will remain a bear. And, indeed, it does, only after Queen Elinor has been turned into a bear. In the woods she meets a witch from whom she purchases a spell that, in Merida’s understanding, will change her mother’s mind about the betrothal and marriage. After fighting with her mother, Merida takes off on her horse into the woods. This causes embarrassment to her mother and strife among the clans. So, of course, Merida chooses an archery contest and, in the end, wins her own hand. A small loophole is that the oldest child of each clan can compete to win the princess. The winner of the princess’ hand will be the champion who wins a contest of the princess’ choosing. This is tradition and her mother has been preparing her for this. The princess, Merida, must be betrothed to one of the three sons of the allied clans – Dingwall, MacGuffin and Macintosh. Though, deep down I’m a romantic sap and love all that Disney crap. I wanted to see if Disney could create a strong female character whose ultimate reward wasn’t love and marriage. All I knew about the film was that it was set in ancient Scotland and the protagonist is a young woman – a princess, of course – who is an accomplished archer.
I saw the new Disney/Pixar film ‘Brave’ the other evening. F or a good review of ‘Brave’ follow this link here. *SPOILER ALERT – If you intend to see this film you may not want to read this post until afterwards.
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