Beauty and the Beast

Quite good for what it is, actually. High Romanticism, dark and luxuriant.Critics sneer (as they always do).People enjoy (as they manage to).Wake up from the Woke and allow yourself to dream again...

Originally released in 2014, La Belle et la Bete, directed by Christophe Gans and starring Lea Seydoux and Vincent Cassel, is a remake of the classic 1946 film of the same name, as much as it just another adaptation of the classic French fairytale. Since its release in Europe the film has taken three years to see distribution in the US, finally reaching a deal for video release through notable curator and purveyor of cult and genre cinema, Shout Factory, in time to coincide with the impending premier of Disney’s own remake, a move undoubtedly planned to boost sales by association. Nevertheless, this is far from the kind of cheap, hasty, disposable production usually cobbled together for the sake of cashing in on another film’s popularity, and if your grandmother does accidentally pick this movie up for your birthday thinking she’s somehow getting an early release of the Disney film, you can count yourself lucky.You may not find singing candlesticks, or lavish musical numbers, or Emma Watson in this film, but what you will find is top shelf special effects, unparalleled production design, and a take on the classic story that is both more faithfully traditional to the original, while also adding its own refreshingly original spin.The film stars Lea Seydoux as Belle, the daughter of a wealthy French merchant who loses all of his wealth when he loses some important shipments at sea. The merchant and his family are forced to move to a small house in the country, a life that, unlike in the Disney version, Belle seems to actually prefer, while her sisters and brothers anguish and lament their predicament.When one of the ships is found however, the merchant returns to the city to try to recover their wealth, promising his elder daughters that he will come back with dresses and jewelry, and promising to bring back a rose for Belle.Unfortunately his trip turns out to be less profitable than expected, and his return trip nearly costs him his life, until he happens upon an enchanted castle in the forest, where the mysterious unseen occupant feeds him gifts him all the treasures he’d promised to his daughters. But when the merchant stops to pluck a rose while leaving he crosses a line and the Beast (Vincent Cassel) reveals himself. Angered that the merchant took advantage of his hospitality in taking the one thing that was actually precious to him, the Beast promises to kill the merchant, telling him that a life is the price of the rose. He allows the man to go home and say goodbye to his family, promising that if he doesn’t return, the Beast will track him and kill all of them.Upon hearing the story from her father, Belle steals his horse and rushes off to take his place, as she feels responsible for him taking the rose that would cost his life.I won’t go into the details of the second and third act, but the film doesn’t play out entirely the same as the version most people are familiar with. The Beast is given a more fantastical and elaborate backstory in this version, one that’s much more tragic and would make him much more of a sympathetic figure, if he weren’t portrayed by Vincent Cassel, who is a talented actor that acquits himself quite well when he’s the Beast, but in his scenes that tell his tragic backstory he seems always to exude a sleazy leeriness, whether intentionally or not.Opposite Cassel is Lea Seydoux as Belle, who comes off much better in her performance as a more capable, more commanding, more determined portrayal of the character. However, she’s also given some scenes where her reactions seem curiously to be unreasonably hostile toward the Beast, before inexplicably being in love with him in the very next scene.The film’s biggest drawback is the pacing of its love story, which appears to take place over a brief period of only three nights, with Belle going from fearful of the Beast in the first, to randomly hurling insults at him the next, to fleeing in terror from him the third. And then she’s in love with him. There doesn’t really seem to be a turning point in the relationship. We do see her uncovering his origin slowly throughout the film in visions given to her in her dreams, which maybe softens her heart toward him, but there’s just not enough actual interaction between them to show a romance develop, especially over so short a period.However, that unusual pacing is the only major flaw in what is otherwise a stunning work of art. Where this film truly excels are its visuals, which are nothing short of breathtaking. Every moment of screen time, every frame weaves a tapestry of vivid colors, spectacularly ornate design, and thrilling visual effects, from beautiful shots of fantastical landscapes and architectural masterpieces, to whimsical dream sequences and exciting set pieces involving the Beast battling interlopers astride a gigantic walking marble statue. This is a fantasy romance to rival the likes of The Princess Bride or Stardust.Far from a knockoff meant to cash in on the upcoming Disney film, this is the film that sets the bar for Disney to try and reach. If you’re at all excited for a live action Beauty and the Beast, this is the one to see.

Love this movie

Some reviews have said there isn't enough character development to believe the love story. I think Belle and the Beast are able to be their true selves in front of each other; they accept each other flaws and all. That the best foundation for love. They each exhibit regret and seek forgiveness from each other in this rendering of the story. That maturity, human frailty, and finally honesty tell a love story for me. One way Belle expresses her tenderness and kindness is her respecting the Beast enough to dine with him, explore the castle, and the grounds, with curiosity and respect. She is brave without being entitled. The Beast tries to please her with dresses she'd find beautiful. The era in which the story was written that would be a way to express commitment, admiration, and affection to a woman. I also loved the original 1946 version of the film; this has a similar feel, just a little less ominous.

It's actually a pretty good version of beauty and the beast. Not Disney and more similar to Grimm but everything from the set to the costumes were beautifully designed. There are leaps in the relationship between Beauty and the Beast which felt unnatural but is probably more accurate based off of the original version of the tale. (I thought there was actually more chemistry between the two main villain characters.) Overall it felt like a version that was fairly faithful to the original source material. I watched it with an English dub which is the only version that is available on Amazon via streaming. I think it probably would have been better to watch it in French with subtitles.

I love this version so much. I only found it yesterday and I’ve been watching it on repeat ever since. The colors were awesome, and the visuals were awesome, and above all there’s no singing!No songs made it easier to enjoy the film as a movie.

A beautiful retelling that enchants you every minute.

Growing up, the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast was my favorite. That was until I came across this on a streaming service way back when...in French. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! I cannot watch it in English because I had only seen it in French before, and wasn't a fan of it - but that version is included in Amazon Prime Video for streaming. However, if you want to watch it in the original language, buying this DVD is 100% WORTH IT!! I have already pushed it off onto a couple of my friends who have also loved it.