La Belle Et La Bete Analysis

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When I initially endeavored to cover La Belle et la Bête (2014) I thought it would be a great idea to watch the Jean Cocteau 1946 version as a companion piece. Alas, that never happened - because - life. I would say based on this viewing, I am determined to eventually give it a look. But for now, I'll stick to reviewing this version.

First a little background. I definitely have a mixed history with the story of Beauty and the Beast as both a source material and an adaptation. While I have not seen the Disney animated 'masterpiece' from 1991, I was more familiar with the late 1980s television version featuring Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton. Sadly I am old and remember it well. All this to say, that, I generally thought I knew the basics of …show more content…

As I tucked in and watched this French language version, directed by Christophe Gans and starring Léa Sedyoux and Vincent Cassel (they of the title respectively), I found myself post-screening having to do some additional research about the story (published in 1740) as told by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve.

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In fact, let me go ahead and share with you (some who may also be similarly uninitiated) the synopsis which should adequately set the stage for the story:

The year is 1810. After the wreck of his ships, a financially-ruined merchant (André Dussollier) exiles himself in the countryside with his six children. Among them is Belle (the "beauty"), his youngest daughter.

One day, during an arduous journey, the merchant stumbles across the magical domain of the Beast (Vincent Cassel), who sentences him to death for stealing a rose.

Feeling responsible for the terrible fate which has befallen her family, Belle decides to sacrifice herself and take her father's place. At the Beast's castle, it is not death that awaits Belle, but a strange life in which fantastical moments mingle with gaiety and melancholy.

They learn about each other, taming one another like two strangers who are total

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