Reel Truth with Krista Richmond
Maybe it’s the recent royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate to the common folk), but princesses have been on my mind lately.
On April 29, I eagerly flipped on my TV when my alarm went off to catch the highlights of the wedding. I wanted to see the beautiful gown, the handsome prince and the carriage ride. It was the stuff dreams are made of.
As I watched, I remembered why my four-year-old niece loves everything about the Disney princesses.
Cinderella. Jasmine. Ariel. Belle. She can tell you all about each of them with a childlike exuberance that will leave you exhausted. And then she’ll insist you sit through at least one of the films and clap your hands eagerly when the handsome prince makes his appearance.
She even looks the part. Her silky blonde hair and bright blue eyes are exactly what I imagine Cinderella to look like at four years old. But don’t let her girly-girl side fool you. She can play T-ball with the best of them.
I know many people think the Disney princesses give girls her age the wrong idea. Specifically, that all girls – even princesses – need a guy to save them. Maybe so. But I think there are more important messages to these movies.
First, every one of these films says something about love. (Or, since we’re talking about fairy tales, I suppose that should be “True Love.”) Most common is the idea that real love is worth waiting for. None of these princesses settle for less. In fact, some of them even turn down suitors because they know, in their heart of hearts, that it’s not “True Love.” I happen to agree. I want to be truly, madly, deeply, head-over-heels in love with the guy I marry.
These films also show these young girls that women should be treated lovingly and with respect. The princes are always there to help them step out of their carriages (or off their magic carpet, as the case may be). They take their princesses to balls and give them nice things. But most importantly, these princes defend their princesses from evil, not because they think their women are incapable of defending themselves, but because they want to take care of them. It’s nice to know chivalry isn’t dead, even if it’s just in fictional fairy tales.
Lastly – and most importantly, in my opinion – these films show children watching them that nothing worth having ever comes easily. All of these princesses have their struggles – from evil stepsisters to overcoming physical limitations to be with the man she loves. But in the end, their perseverance pays off.
I have no doubt that these films contributed to my own romantic notions. I do believe in love at first sight and fairy tale romances. Yes, I’m in my thirties, and I’m still single. I’ve dated enough to know that all men aren’t princes. But it doesn’t hurt to daydream, right?
