As a Disney fan, I look forward to seeing Snow White in the theatres. Snowhite and the Seven Dwarfs is the first ever coloured animated film by Disney. Of course, there are numerous comments about the live-action as they changed some crucial details compared to the original one.
I will not write a movie review; I want to discuss some points. First, the entire cinematography is truly magical!! The forest colour scheme is excellent, excellent. It is my favourite colour of all Disney films, live-action. You have this scene of fireflies subtly cladding the film– at least, that is how I FELT IT to be. And how beautiful is the song,’ Waiting on a Wish’? They used deep metaphors we remember from classic films, like the well, the echo, and the wish.
However, since this film is in modern Disney’s hands, they tweaked it significantly. First, there is no presence of the Prince. In the interview with Rachel Zegler (the actor behind Snow White), she said it’s different because she found the Prince in the original film as a ‘stalker’ and called it ‘weird’. Well, my eyebrow lifts a little upon hearing such a say. Hmm. I think the old films’ beauty is because they are rooted in fairytales. Of course, because the SnowWhite and the Seven Dwarfs’ plot heavily relies on the Prince since that was the antidote to the poison caused by the Evil Queen’s curse, true love’s kiss, and since snowhite is a Princess, she would be likely having a Prince to save her. So that is understandable.
Zegler’s point is that the new Snow White does not need saving. I mean, it is clear that the film, as around the world commentators would say, is a politically influenced one and relies heavily on the power of feminism, as Barbie’s film did. Women who want to build their families and get married seem funny to society. I don’t know why it became like that. Right now, that way we see it, if you are single and thriving, you are more likely to be ahead in the face of society since you are walking the luxurious drapes of independence. On the other hand, for those who are already married or have kids or are getting there and want to get there early, the connotation is that they are lesser than those who are not.
Don’t get me wrong, while feminism is a threshold where women show and exercise their skills and empowerment, I think the film overlooked its purpose. I saw a commentary in TikTok saying every film has its portrayal of such a movement; as much as we want to be progressive even in the movie, I hope this won’t be the THING to be represented. It is likely that Snow White just wants to lead there, even dismissing the ‘prince’ and the ‘saving’. I mean, some women also desire for a prince. Some women want to bake apple pies and serve in the household; others would rather stay home and take care of their household than be the ‘girl boss’ in the office. I think many films already portray much about being a ‘girl boss’, it is sad that somehow, such movement overshadowed what a woman can do considerably while staying at home and taking care of their family, or you know, yearning for betrothment and a beautiful marriage while their children are to be homeschooled.
I hope while these films continue to portray women leading and ‘not being led’ won’t diminish the fact that behind the movie, there are stories of once upon a time that uphold the treasure of womanhood in terms of being nurturing. Where omellete eggs are not just eggs, but breakfast made with intentionality, and fashion is sewing your dresses are not just in the famous walk of VS for a fashion statement, but in the heart of their homes with a single needle and threads with a lamp beside her until a dress is finished. If ‘they’ want a strong representation of those strong, independent women, I hope ‘they’ will leave it to Greta Gerwig as she is good at directing that. I just hope in Disney’s live actions or any other films of Disney, they will leave it as it is, something Walt Disney would have always wanted.
I love the film in many aspects; it is creative, but I hope filmmakers won’t destroy the wholesomeness of a story just because we want to be progressive. I believe every Disney princess has their portrayal of equality, braveness and empowerment. Not to mention Pocahontas, Merida, and Mulan. But Snow White….? Let her sleep until her Prince comes and wakes her up because that is her story, and we know in the original film that they both lead the kingdom. Is this not a powerful ending?
A good friend reminded me. We talked before, and she happily shared she won’t pursue graduate studies because she wants to focus on her son and plants in her garden. She was so excited about her upcoming home as she spent time looking for unique ceramic mugs and kitchenware to serve her little, growing family. We are at the same age, and I could not help but admire her. I did admire her for such a wholesome dream. While I thought she would be this ‘girl boss’ I imagined her to be before, she became even MORE powerful by taking care of her family and being that MOTHER her son would look up to. She shares she wants her son to be sprinkled with love and kindness so that when her son grows up, her son will mirror such qualities.
So, I hope there will be more representation of these kinds of women too in the films because, in as much as those we already saw and have had enough of their glitz and glamour, there are women behind their house doors who do greatly and love endlessly, with their Prince charming, and I think this too, is wholesome.
It is also okay to be led and dream of a prince charming. Who cares if you want to live in a cottage in the middle of the woods and bake apple pies? And since when did it become so cringeworthy to wish for a special someone to be saved? You ask Cinderella and Rapunzel where they renewed their castles because of their ‘prince’.
Sincerely,
Kryz