This past Thursday my best friend and I took our daughters (14,10 respectively) to the opening of Beauty and the Beast.
Because of remarks the director had stated regarding the character, Lefou and his sexuality, many
Christians were/are calling for a boycott.
As, a family we made the choice not to participate and address any issues head on that might arise.
After all, we make this decision about every movie we see. We are diligent to check pluggedin.com
and other on line resources, to help us make our decision, and because of the information we receive
there, we either pass, or take the opportunity to talk with the kids about whatever issues might have
cause for concern in each particular movie.
But, this time, frankly the whole thing felt contrived from both sides.
Let's be real, there's nothing a branch of Christianity loves more than a boycott.
I went in with my mom radar on high alert. Waiting for 'the scene' I would need to talk through
later with my daughter. What I got instead was a beautiful, lovely movie. There were no
'gay scenes'. Nothing you would have to explain.
Lefou is still the sidekick of Gaston who gushes and preens over him. . .just like in the original
Disney version. I always thought he was playing to type of a stereotypical gay man in the original
but, I'm pretty sure that's just a stereotypical French man.
Lefou talks to Gaston about his relationship with women. At one point during the Gaston song,
they embrace and Lefou says "that's too much isn't it" and they both agree.
When Gaston leads the raid with the townspeople to the castle and the fight ensues, the wardrobe
attacks three men, wrapping them in ribbons and gowns and wigs of the time period, two run away
one briefly looks into the camera and smiles. ( It remind me of the Bugs Bunny cartoons when he
would dress in drag-although Bugs always seemed to be much more sexualized than this even
remotely was.)
Spoiler Alert:
At the end when the spell is broken and they've all returned to their human form, there is a beautiful
dance scene (think harpsichord and very old fashioned waltzing) where everyone is moving and
twirling and exchanging partners, and one spin of the partner change meets Lefou with the man
from the wardrobe scene (dressed in the fashion for a man of the time) and nothing. . .no wink
at the camera, just the end.
Our theater cheered and clapped at the end. My Belle already has a date with her daddy to see it
again.
We (on the Christian right) CLAMOR for Hollywood to make family films then we when hear
something said to, let's be honest, illicit a reaction from us, we fall right into the trap.
Without seeing it for ourselves, we dig our heels in and shout boycott from our highest hilltops.
And the world is watching.
I do believe there is a case to be made for not letting an agenda be forced upon our children and our
society. But, this isn't the movie on which to base that argument.
Be my guest and go see this lovely movie.
Save your righteous indignation for another day. I'm sure there will be a true battle to be had, but
we will have used all our credibility up on nonsense fights like this one.
Have some popcorn and sing a long for me.
Bonjour !
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