Fairy tale Undone

 With the controversy surrounding Rachel Zegler's comments toward the original fairy tale Snow White, I again can't help myself from writing my plethora of thoughts.  Of course, I've read the many articles and comments out there and watched the many videos of commentary about her words.  When I learned of her casting, I was not bothered by it.  She is of Colombian and Polish descent, but I think she looks enough like Snow White that it could work.  This was not a big deal to me and is the least of my worries with regard to this new remake.......or re-imagining.........or perhaps a whole new movie that should not bear the name "Snow White". They, of course, had to leave out the "and the seven dwarfs" part because they are absent.  Disney conducted a study to find out the best PC way to handle the dwarfs' part without being offensive while still being inclusive.....????????  Yes, that's right, their conclusion was to leave them out altogether.  I wonder.....did they talk to anyone apart from Peter Dinklage in this community?  I thought they were about being inclusive.  Only when it comes to race, I guess.  The community of actors with dwarfism was not diverse enough?  Speaking of Dinklage, he is rich because of the opportunities he's had to play a dwarf.  Game of Thrones being one example.  I have not watched it but have heard others point out that his GoT character was a dwarf, called a dwarf and was referred to as a dwarf in the series.  Can you say H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-I-C-A-L????  Because of his rant about this remake, he contributed to Disney's decision in stripping this job opportunity away from others like him.

People of this community are voicing their opinions with one saying, and I'm paraphrasing, "I can't go for the Harrison Ford, or the George Clooney roles......now they are taking away more work opportunities." Many have taken to social media to voice their opinions, and/or rage about what Disney is doing.  Rachel Zegler has insulted the legacy of Snow White and its makers.  She basically says that it is not 1937 anymore and she isn't going to dream about true love.  She calls the prince a weird stalker, she says that it's so wonderful that it's not going to be a love story.  She even gets giddy about the idea of the prince getting cut out of the movie entirely!  By the way Andrew Burnap aka the prince is a Tony award winning actor.  His stuff is probably not my taste, but I think he proves his worth as an actor with more acclaim than Rachel.  She puts emphasis on being a leader and puts that above love.  That is so interesting to me.  What's more important than love?  Why is falling in love seen as such a bad thing?  Most people enjoy and can appreciate a love story.  Love is the most mainstream thing running through movies and shows, past and present.  After much of this backlash Rachel continues to double down and defend her position saying that we all need to get with the program, it's 2023, it has a good message for young people to stand on their own two feet.  She re iterates the prince is a stalker or creeper and says Snow White has no interest in him.  She says the goal was to bring it into the modern day era to make it more realistic and relatable.  Who said we couldn't still relate to the old version?  Rachel has found out just how many can still relate............Her comments have even insulted David Hand, the son of the director of the award winning 1937 film.  He said, "Walt and my dad would be rolling over in their graves"!  He did not hold back saying it was horrible and insulting.

Her attitude, along with Gal Gadot's, is smug, entitled, and comes off as ungrateful.  I wonder, does she really think she is smarter than Disney, smarter than the original creators of this movie?  She also said at the SAG AFTRA strike, something to the effect "if I have to wear a dress and be a princess, I should get paid for every hour of streaming!"  Wow!  Then when she tries to apologize, she still makes it all about her and how she's a victim and how it's all because of men that people are in an uproar!  She starts to get emotional claiming she was taken out of context.  Okay how has she been taken out of context?  I think she's been pretty clear.  She has been nothing but transparent about her feelings toward the original content, the character and the love story.  Usually transparency is a good thing, but in this case, even if you're not a fan of the original you were chosen to play a part, a character that is close to the hearts of generations of women.  If this was me, I would put those people above my personal feelings and I would do my best to keep that character in those hearts, to represent her in a way that makes audiences fall in love all over again. Does she not get it?  She gets paid millions of dollars to ACT, not to be her smug narcissistic self.  She's 22 and is worth 3 point something million dollars with 2 box office flops.  Looks like her upcoming  films might be flops too.  Some appreciate her keeping it real, but she has a lot to learn.  I get that she had stardom thrust on her very quickly, so I can see why it's all going to her head.  Is there room for redemption, yeah I think so.  If she could get over herself and sincerely apologize that would go a long way, but when many of her comments are contradictory it suggests she is lying.  That's a hard place to come back from.

Some social media commentators are not sure why she would not be accepted in the same way Halle Bailey was in The Little Mermaid?????  UHH........HMM.........Halle Bailey received much criticism for just being cast, she never said anything until the movie was released.  She stood tall with grace and beauty and she used her opportunity as Ariel to show up all the people throwing stones her way.  She completely captivated, surprised, and truly became Ariel.  No one could really criticize her performance, people had to revert to making fun of her looks, the CGI, the new music, which by the way was brought to us by original composer Alan Menken, or some of the changes they made to the story if they were still irritated over her casting.  She put her heart and soul into her portrayal of Ariel and everyone saw it.  She buckled down, worked hard and didn't prance around the country like a whiny brat, and a victim.  The Little Mermaid also stayed true to the original story and did not fundamentally change the characters, their story lines or their purpose.  What they very cleverly did was added to the love story, gave the prince more of a backstory in order to expand on why they would fall in love.  The love story made more logical sense to us.  The music was added to very brilliantly, something Howard Ashman, the original lyricist would be proud of.  They made a few changes, but changes that mostly made sense and added more intensity to the story.  I loved the movie and all the changes mostly made sense to me.  The only wokeness was the concern over consent to kiss, which was not an issue in my mind, but even that change was not super bothersome, just the reasoning behind it.

Listening to a few commentators, I've learned more about the original 1937 film!  There are so many great women out there defending love and the original character!  Brett Cooper and her commentators brought up the idea that women still love the love stories.  Some said, "I work all day and have a career, when I get home, I watch Rom Coms and still search for love, still dreaming of true love."  If this wasn't true why has Hallmark become so popular?  Now there are more networks popping up following the true love, romance, and family friendly entertainment example.  Another important thought discussed was how these Disney fairy tale classics have stood the test of time.  They are still relevant today, impacting many with their true principles and lessons that we can still relate to! Disney has forgotten that these movies have been fine just the way they always were.  Remakes are fine just stay true to the original ideas, principles and truths.  Many women have said that love stories are still relevant and are sick of the girl boss, feminist agenda in every movie!

Some news sources are trying to say that it's mostly men having issue with this new movie, but some female hosts are pointing out that this one movie and incident could single-handedly bring down modern feminism.  Women all over are uniting against Zegler's attitude and comments.  There are real serious discussions taking place about the damage feminism has done and that many women might be getting fed up, finally!  In my lifetime, the fairy tale has been undone.  We wanted these remakes because the originals were not modern enough.  We were worried that Disney was teaching young girls to only depend on men to save them and the only thing living for was true love.  I don't think that was ever a legitimate concern.  Isn't love one of the greatest things to live for?  I think so!  The women in these stories were seen as completely dependent upon men and could not do anything for themselves.  That was a problem.  So, in a campaign to change with the modern times Disney decided to "fix" all of these horrible flaws and make a pretty penny while doing so.  Why do I say this was never a legitimate concern?  BECAUSE THEY ARE FAIRY TALES, STORIES, FANTASY! Eventually we all grow up and face the real world.  As adult women we all know we can't depend on a man for everything, that has never really been a reality, has it?  We never had to "undo" the fairy tale to make it modern because it's not exactly reality.  They are immortalized stories of fantasy that provide entertainment, joy, hope, a reminder of true principles and morals.  They are a reminder of the power of love and the existence of true love.  They can be teaching tools.  They are a happy part of our childhood; they are fond memories.  There was never any real reason for undoing the fairy tale to make it fit in with the modern world.  Okay if you want to make a parody or a modern version fine, that's cool, but you have to maintain the core and purpose of the story line, morals and characters, if you don't, then make a new story.  

PBD Pod cast had a panel of men commenting on this.  They pointed out something I hadn't really thought about.  Snow White is this damsel in distress, she's young and she is manipulated.  The evil queen is mad because Snow White is prettier and kinder, and fairer in all the land.  They simply point out that the girl boss woman is the villain.  They point out that hero #1 is the huntsman, who saves Snow White's life by refusing to kill her.  In his heart he cannot do it, it's not right so he lets her go unharmed.  Good guy #1!  Heroes #2 are the 7 dwarfs.  They take her in, give her food, a roof over her head and a safe place.  They go to work and work hard.  They are continually concerned for her safety.  While she's there she can do whatever she wants, she talks to animals, sings and bakes.  She's not merely there to take care of 7 useless men.  They give to her, and she gives back.  She cares for them, a womanly quality.  It is in women's nature to care for others, it makes us happy to do so, especially when someone is providing for us in some way.  Some of us do like to just bake too!  That's me........put me in a cabin in the woods and I'll bake all day, that alone is a dream!  Hero #3 is the prince.  He's not stalking her, he wants to talk to her, he's intrigued by her.  Not every guy that shows some interest in you is a stalker.  It was love at first sight perhaps.  I don't think that happens often, but it does happen.  When Snow White is manipulated into biting the poisoned apple, he comes to her rescue kissing her to wake her from death.  He saves her life. A profound lesson displaying the reviving power of true love. Does all this happen because Snow White is incapable and naive?  I don't think so, we all can be manipulated.  She was kind, caring, fair, just and probably a good judge of character at her age, but she was scammed.  Because she was so young, she didn't know everything, but probably wanted to believe the good in people.  

So, there are a total of 9 really good guys helping her and keeping her alive.  Just because she's not the main hero in the movie does not mean her story is outdated or irrelevant.  I still think she is a hero in her own right because of her character.  When the mirror says she is the fairest of them all I don't think it's only referring to her beauty.  I think it refers to her kindness, fairness to others, purity, and innocence.  Innocence, to me, is one of the most valuable qualities.  Now days women are taught to believe that innocence, kindness, simple joy and fairness are weak qualities.  These qualities, in no way can get you what you want in life or help you in any way.  Women just have to be strong and powerful, and you know how you get to be that way?  By being bossy, louder than everyone else, you have to be experienced in many ways, if catch my drift.  Be the heart breaker before yours can get broken.  Throw men's hearts around, stomp on them and show them whose boss.  If you want something, don't ask, just take it.  Men have taken advantage of women in the past so that justifies you, a woman, to do the same!  I learned that Greta Gerwig was behind the writing for this new Snow White.........need I say more?  It all makes sense now.  Boy, she is on a roll with the whole uber feminist push.  I do believe she can be a good writer, but she seems determined to undo the fairy tale in order to bring it into reality with her version of feminist ideals, which is not everyone's reality.  So, are we still in a fantasy land?  Yes, Greta's fantasy land.  Do these fairy tales need to be in reality?  I think many women have admitted to still dreaming of true love. Like the Barbie movie, is this all a big funny joke Greta?  Haha....ha......ha!  It's a good thing Barbie was a success Greta, because this one is going to tank!

I work a job in the career world of women in careers and I think kindness has gotten me further than bossiness.  Some of the greatest compliments I've ever received were from men and women in my workplace.  One man told me I was the most non-judgmental person he'd ever met. I wouldn't say that is true of me 100% of the time, but I was able to be that kind of person to him. Many others have thanked me time and time again for being kind, helpful, and understanding when they were having a bad day.  A simple "thanks", or "thank you" goes a long way sometimes.  Just listening to people vent or talk about their life without judging goes a long way.  I love doing things for people, it's my nature, and I don't ignore it or shove it aside because I think it's a weak characteristic.  It's quite the opposite.  When I bring all of the wonderful innate womanly qualities to work with me, it literally changes the workplace for me and others.  No bad has ever come from it.  I've never gotten in trouble for being kind.  I've never been chastised for serving someone I work with.  I've never been put down for being happy or helpful.  I've never regretted being kind, never regretted being happy and trying to bring others happiness.

I also love the true love fairy tales!  I love romance!  One commentator mentioned that beginning with Ariel the princesses were all the heroes of their stories.  I love it and I think that's great, but they all also still had love in some form.  It wasn't always the true love, let's get married kind, but Merida's love story was mending her bond with her mother.  Elsa's love story was mending bonds with her sister and understanding her parents.  Moana's love story was with her people and saving the islands.  Many other newer Disney stories focus on family bonds like Coco, Encanto, and Toy story.  Before Ariel there was Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty.  Their stories were more about being saved.  I also like to think their stories were about preserving those womanly qualities that STILL resonate with women today.  Even though she was "saved" she became a princess and queen.  What made these characters worthy of saving?  Not just beauty, but kindness, love, vulnerability, being joyful in a terrible situation. 

Cinderella was always my favorite along with Ariel.  I really, really loved Hercules also!  It was one of my favorites and still is.  In this movie we have a really beautiful girl Megara, and she is kind of a girl boss.  She's kind of bad, she makes a deal with Hades, selling her soul for a man only to have that love leave her.  She is sure of herself and states she is NOT a damsel in distress to Hercules who is trying to prove himself worthy of God hood.  He believes he just has to save people and fight beasts, etc.  What he does not yet realize is that he must make a great sacrifice to prove worthy of a place on Mount Olympus.  Megara does not want his help even rejects him, until she starts falling for him.  She betrays Hercules because she is under Hades' command.  Hercules shows her that she is still worth saving by ultimately giving up his powers for 24 hours.  He almost dies, but Megara ends up dying by risking her life to help him.  The guilt gets to her and she can't hide her most feminine quality......the ability to love and sacrifice.  When Hercules regains power, he goes to the underworld where he could again lose his life to retrieve Megara's soul.  Only a God could pull this off in Ancient Greek mythology.  

So, we have the ultimate girl boss, a feminist by modern standards, that should be able to save herself , but she STILL needs saving!  Isn't that the story of our lives as women?  Yes, we can do so much on our own and we can save ourselves every day, but sometimes, we STILL need saving!  Sometimes we need someone to come to our rescue!  So, Megara, at this point doesn't seem so worthy of saving, her choices lead to the near imminent death of a god.  We see her start to soften, and change, so we root for her.  She has redeeming qualities, she can fall in love, she's vulnerable no matter how hard she tries to hide it, she's kind, and she sacrifices.  She, after all sacrifices her life to try and help Hercules.  Not only is Hercules in love with her and her with him, but they sacrifice their lives for each other and in the end, Hercules has the ability to bring her back because he has proven himself.  Real power comes from great sacrifice and willingness to sacrifice one's life for another.  What would bring you to a place of willingness to give up your life for someone else?  I'm guessing.......LOVE!  I just love this story! I'm a geek when it comes to ancient mythologies and histories!  As many commentators have said, I too love stories of strong men and strong women working together, falling in love and saving each other!  

Well, Disney has, in the last month cancelled the Snow White project that included 2 prequels, one about the 7 diversity hires (sorry, I'm sad I can't call them dwarfs), and another about the Queen which was to star Gal Gadot.  There is a sequel planned that is to feature Snow white, but that could be on the chopping block as well.  There are rumors that Disney could delay the movie all together and/or cut scenes featuring the 7 random people and even some of Rachel's musical numbers in the movie.  Will Disney scrap this train wreck and start over?  There has been talk about reshoots before the release which would explain the delay.  There might also be a delay in releasing the trailer to the public due to negative feedback from test groups.  Disney's stock price is the lowest it has been in 9 years, and Bob Iger is faced with making decisions about massive cuts including Star Wars, MCU, Live Action movies and Disney+.  

Moral of the story.............If you get empowerment from stepping on others to get to the top, treating men like doormats, manipulating others, being bossy, being loud, or ignoring fundamental characteristics of womanhood........well, the news is, that's not empowerment! Sorry! Read below for more ideas on empowerment! The Fairy tale will never be undone in my mind!  I will never forget the moral of their stories and the power of love they display.  Maybe 1937 had some things right all along!  True love is real and a dream come true for me, it can be for anyone!  True love, kindness, innocence, fairness, and sacrifice are all worthy to be in your dreams and something you want to aspire to.  There is nothing wrong with it! It's a beautiful dream!  Don't undo the fairy tale!  I saw this on Facebook a few weeks ago in response to Rachel Zegler's comments on the new version of Snow White.  I love what she says here:

"Rachel Zegler, the actress who will play Snow White in the Disney remake, told Variety what the movie will be like:

"It's not 1937 anymore... She will not be saved by the prince and will not dream of true love. She will dream of becoming the leader she knows she can be. I think young people all over the world will be reflected in her."”

I was disappointed to say the least. But surprised? No.

We live in a world today that is pushing the “Girl Boss” ideology. That women don’t need men, that women are better off on their own. That accepting help from a man, (or being saved by a man) is demeaning, sexist, and even embarrassing. They say women are strong, and that accepting help from a man makes them less so.

But when you look at some of the older fairy tales, you don’t get that story.

Cinderella lived with a cruel step mother and two mean step sisters, but she was always kind, patient, and turned the other cheek.

Snow White ran into the woods with only the clothes in her back to make a new life for herself, away from the evil, jealous queen.

Belle faced a life with the angry Beast, to take the place of her ill father.
Aurora lived most of her life hidden away, but she was happy and cheerful.

Jesus said
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Don’t these princesses fit this description? They were innocent, kind, cheerful, meek, and pure in heart. They were truly strong. They weren’t girl bosses trying to pull their way to the top. They were young women who knew who they were, and what was most important. Another common factor? They were all saved by a Prince in some way. Does that make them any less strong?

Of course not! True strength is knowing when you need help, and being willing to ask for it, if necessary.

And as for love? Love is the purest form of strength! It is vulnerability, and trust, kindness, all rolled into one. Why are we teaching this generation that true love is something they shouldn’t dream of?
What is going to happen to all the young women who fall into this “girl boss” way of living? Are we going to teach our precious little girls that they don’t need anyone? That they can do anything they want, but it must be on their own, without help from anyone? That being saved by a boy makes them weak?

Won’t that make us more likely to forget that without the Prince of Peace, we could do nothing? Be nothing? He is the one that has saved us from the ultimate evil enemy. His sacrifice and death was the ultimate form of true love. Do I feel weak knowing that He saved me? No! I feel empowered! It’s what gets me through the hard days.

I know I’m going to teach my little girls that it is a wonderful thing to have a prince come to your rescue.
Remember when I said I dreamed of a handsome Prince as a little girl?
Well…
Some dreams never die."
-Autumn Ann

"As daughters of God we are each unique and different in our circumstances and experiences. And yet our part matters—because we matter. Our daily contributions of nurturing, teaching, and caring for others may seem mundane, diminished, difficult, and demeaning at times, and yet as we remember that first line in the Young Women theme—'We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us'—it will make all the difference in our relationships and our responses."-Elaine S. Dalton

 “The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.”- Margaret D. Nadauld