La Belle et la Bete
Director: Christoph Gans
Cast: Vincent Cassel, Lea Seydeaux, Yvonne Catterfield
A modern retelling of a classic fairy tale, “La Belle et la Bete” tells the story of Belle, the beautiful daughter of a widowed merchant who sacrifices her life to a cursed Beast to save her father from certain death. As Belle and the Beast grow closer, a fragile love is born; one that will heal the Beast’s cold heart and show them both the true meaning of love.
When Belle’s father journeys to the city to reclaim his family’s fortune after it is lost at sea, he promises each of his six children a gift upon his return. While her siblings ask for extravagant gifts, the merchant’s youngest daughter, Belle, asks only for a single rose. When the merchant takes shelter in the Beast’s castle during a storm, he discovers, much to his surprise, that the gifts his children asked for are in the castle. The only gift that is missing is the most precious: Belle’s rose. When the merchant takes a rose from the Beasts garden, his act of love comes with a heavy price. The Beast allows him to keep the rose, but in exchange for this gift, the merchant must sacrifice his own life to the Beast. The roses are precious to the Beast because they surround the grave of the Beast’s first love. When Belle discovers what the Beast truly is, she flees from the castle and falls into an icy river. The Beast saves her and when they return to the castle, the Beast gives her another rose…his most cherished possession…and tells her that she can say goodbye to her family.
The number seven plays a strong symbolic role in the film, particularly in the connection that it is created between Belle and the Beast. When Belle sacrifices her life to the Beast to save her father, the Beast tells her that she is free to explore her new home but there is one condition: she must join him for dinner every night at precisely 7:00. When the Beast allows Belle to return home to see her family one last time, his gift comes at a price. Belle must return to the Beast by 7:00 the following night or the Beast will perish. When Belle breaks the Beasts curse by confessing her love to him, the Beast’s humanity is restored as the clock strikes 7.
“La Belle et la Bete” is a breathtaking reimagining of the classic fairy tale. While the French dialogue makes the story slightly difficult to follow, the film more than makes up for this with stunning visuals, flawless casting and a richly detailed story. This is one film that I would highly recommend.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Christoph Gans
Cast: Vincent Cassel, Lea Seydeaux, Yvonne Catterfield
A modern retelling of a classic fairy tale, “La Belle et la Bete” tells the story of Belle, the beautiful daughter of a widowed merchant who sacrifices her life to a cursed Beast to save her father from certain death. As Belle and the Beast grow closer, a fragile love is born; one that will heal the Beast’s cold heart and show them both the true meaning of love.
When Belle’s father journeys to the city to reclaim his family’s fortune after it is lost at sea, he promises each of his six children a gift upon his return. While her siblings ask for extravagant gifts, the merchant’s youngest daughter, Belle, asks only for a single rose. When the merchant takes shelter in the Beast’s castle during a storm, he discovers, much to his surprise, that the gifts his children asked for are in the castle. The only gift that is missing is the most precious: Belle’s rose. When the merchant takes a rose from the Beasts garden, his act of love comes with a heavy price. The Beast allows him to keep the rose, but in exchange for this gift, the merchant must sacrifice his own life to the Beast. The roses are precious to the Beast because they surround the grave of the Beast’s first love. When Belle discovers what the Beast truly is, she flees from the castle and falls into an icy river. The Beast saves her and when they return to the castle, the Beast gives her another rose…his most cherished possession…and tells her that she can say goodbye to her family.
The number seven plays a strong symbolic role in the film, particularly in the connection that it is created between Belle and the Beast. When Belle sacrifices her life to the Beast to save her father, the Beast tells her that she is free to explore her new home but there is one condition: she must join him for dinner every night at precisely 7:00. When the Beast allows Belle to return home to see her family one last time, his gift comes at a price. Belle must return to the Beast by 7:00 the following night or the Beast will perish. When Belle breaks the Beasts curse by confessing her love to him, the Beast’s humanity is restored as the clock strikes 7.
“La Belle et la Bete” is a breathtaking reimagining of the classic fairy tale. While the French dialogue makes the story slightly difficult to follow, the film more than makes up for this with stunning visuals, flawless casting and a richly detailed story. This is one film that I would highly recommend.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.