The Beast and THE Library Scene π
It isnβt too long ago when I stumbled upon a post that heavily (and in my opinion unjustly) criticised the library scene in the 2017 Beauty and the Beast movie, and how Adam (Beast) was βrudeβ and βpretentiousβ in it, comparing how different the moment was to the 1991 cartoon.
To be completely honest, Iβm not sure where to start, and whether a dissection of the matter is even necessary, but Iβll write it anyway to satisfy something in me that makes me keep thinking about it. :(
It's easy to place the two next to each other and pick our favorite based on how it makes us feel. Cartoon Adam excitedly leads Belle into the room and hopes with all his might that she will like it! He shows a part of himself that we havenβt seen before, he appears generous, kind, considerate, and genuinely interested in Belleβs well being. It illustrates his change in character.
Live-action Adam, in contrast, blandly mentions there are other books to read elsewhere, walks into the library and finds himself surprised at Belleβs reaction to it.
The critique I discovered said the library scene in the original cartoon was a major turning point for his character development and implied the live-action had ruined it. While I understand where this conclusion is coming from, I still think itβs false.
Let me explain: many cartoon (animated) movies, including those in the era before and during Disneyβs renaissance, use a lot of exaggerated moments and gestures to communicate feelings and more complicated notions to audiences of a younger age all the way to adult audiences.
In the animated movie, it made sense for Beast to act extremely silly, make funny faces all the time, say things in simplified ways, you get the picture. His idea to give Belle the library was an adorable moment that βsimplyβ communicated that he cares about her interests, and he is willing to give her everything he can to show it. He was becoming quite cheerful, hopeful, and was growing more comfortable to be around Belle at all.
I do not believe that the live-action took any of this, and his big moment, away. It told us this part of the story in a realistic, not so picturesque way.Β
Belle starts reciting verses from a book to entertain herself and Beast suddenly joins her to finish her sentence. She shows excitement over the fact that he βknows Shakespeareβ, to which he replies he had an expensive education, remaining somewhat nonchalant about this conversation. Then, Belle keeps going, mentioning her favorite play from the author, to which he replies βUgh, why is that not a surprise?β.
A few things Iβd like to say about context first. At this point in the story, it has been a few days since he had saved her from the wolves and had been saved by her in return. Their relationship was very complicated, and certainly confusing to him.
Why did he not hesitate to save her? He doesnβt care about this girl his staff is trying to get him together with, does he? She is still here and she is taking care of his injuriesβ¦ after everything heβs done.
One thing is clear, through all of his possible wonders, he finds himself brave enough to catch an opportunity and initiate a somewhat friendly conversation. But deep down, he is aware of what he has done to her and her father. He is not someone to chat with about trivial matters such as books. And there goes a very human thing to do when our ego is hurt, and we fail to push it aside: Projecting.
His comment about her taste in literature seems to be based on a stereotype that she, as a woman, would enjoy a tragic romance, like Romeo and Juliet. βAll that heart ache and pining, BLEHββ he says.
Yes, he mocks her taste in books, but he does not do that out of genuine malice. Later on, we witness him reading a romance book in the castleβs colonnade, all by himself, probably questioning where the need to read this genre is coming from. Is he getting more hopeful? Does he dream of love? He becomes quite defensive when asked about his book, too. Of course he doesnβt like reading about love! What a crazy thought!Β :D I think this was already enough evidence that he was indeed in denial, and even greater evidence that the library moment REMAINED a true turning point for him.
We already see him projecting his hurtful past and the experience he had with his father earlier in the castleβs kitchen: βShe is the daughter of a common thief, what kind of person do you think that makes her?β he comments on Belle. He is then gently reminded by Mrs. Potts that judging someone based on their father isnβt something he should be doingβthat clearly hits a nerve too.
It is in human nature to have our ego protect our feelings when we KNOW we did something bad. He doesn't immediately want to apologize for everything either, and tell her that he has done her wrong. It is only further into the movie that SHE is the one who thanks him for coming to save her. He clearly internalizes a lot of his guilt, turning his response into a bit of a joke again: βI never thanked you for not leaving me to be eaten by wolves,β he replies to her. He masks a genuine apology behind a funny answer again. Maybe, while not being strong enough to find genuine words yet, he just wanted to see her laugh during a sensitive moment like this.
Showing her into the library while remaining nonchalant, emotionally distant, and, well, masking his feelings behind jokes that don't quite land, was such a good and REAL way to portray his already strongly established character. His behavior mirrors how people act and think, which I find to be an amazing fit for a movie that is supposed to be set in 'reality'.
2017 Adam / Beast did not lose his core traits, and he is, frankly, even more believable, he feels real, he has relatable flaws, we feel for him because these are the things we go through in OUR OWN lives.
He is surprised at Belleβs reaction to the library, and she makes him realize (just a small bit) that it really might be an impressive sight to see. We mustn't forget that after all those years of darkness and hopelessness, his material possessions mean very little to him. (Considering the fact that he was already accustomed to life of luxury, and probably a bit sick of being led to so much studying in his upbringingβa room full of books wasnβt as interesting to him anymore.)
Following the cartoonβs laid out path, he gifts the library to Belle after he sees how much she likes it. He felt proud and accomplished walking away from her, until she asked him if heβd read all those books. He makes a joke again, although this time, his attempt at humor is FOR Belle, itβs not meant to mask his insecurity. He most likely hopes to make her laugh, and he succeeds! Belle, more amused at his silliness and sudden change of demeanor rather than the joke itself, laughs and gets to enjoy the greatest gift of her life yet.
We know how the story continues from here.
Thanks for reading this. I suppose I wanted to get this out of my system. :)
If I say this boldly, 2017 Adam gained things that his original version didnβt have: a touching family background, insecurities portrayed well in his character writing (we never even hear him say the words βI love youβ because of how much shame and grief he has), and lastly, a beautiful solo, Evermore, that tells us many things he hadnβt been able to properly describe and express before.
His library moment was different from the cartoon, but in my opinion: just as touching. We only need to look a little closer. :)
