vanolly_

I feel like his introduction scene does a good job of demonstrating this, as even when you see him denying his fatherhood and struggling with both his guilt and his hidden truth, he still goes out of his way to help Arlo. Yes it’s done in a somewhat shallow way and he gives him some pretty terrible advice… but it’s also the only advice Ansel knows - advice that is self-taught and that he truly believes is in Arlo’s best interest, because he himself believes that the only way to survive and thrive in a cruel world is to hide the flaws, change yourself and be ‘better’ than what you are. (Though, even if it is a bit harsher in retrospect given Arlo’s heartbreak afterwards, the song itself is still a bop, ngl)

My friend who originally recommended this movie to me (thanks again Toondandy) pointed out how Ansel’s story is very much one of assimilation - how, for as successful and rich as he ended up, hiding and changing himself to fit the mold of ‘normal’ not only negatively affected him (his so-called high society ‘friends’ only cared about his money, as seen in the Met Gala scene, and he himself admitted he was lonely despite his success, not to mention all the pressure that comes with constantly trying to hide your true self) but also put him in a position to potentially continue perpetuating the societal cycle of hurting and rejecting others who are just like him (like abandoning baby Arlo or like how he was going to gentrify Seaside, both for petty revenge against his childhood bullies and because he thought it was the best option - because ‘beautiful’ is ‘better’). 

Additionally, because he’s so focused on and weighed down by his own hang-ups, I don’t think Ansel fully realized just how much he was harming ‘not-normal’ people like Arlo and Arlo’s friends (people like himself) until he saw not only how far Arlo was going to go to learn the truth but also just how much he’d hurt Arlo/put him in danger by continuing to reject him, which is what finally pushes him to confront his fear, guilt and self-shame. (Sidepoint: I really REALLY love the double-shadow imagery that goes along with Ansel’s “what have I become?” line. It’s simple but still really effective).

But yeah, it makes sense that him growing up bullied then isolated and then becoming crazy rich at a young age made him more than a little oblivious and out of touch (though these parts of his personality are still funny/endearing instead of being annoying imo) but what keeps him a positive character even when he’s at his ‘worst’ and most selfish/self-conscious is that he still genuinely cares and I really do love the interactions he has with Arlo.

Beyond all the juicy character drama stuff, there’s a lot of fun aspects I like about Ansel too. I like how, for as flawed as he is, he isn’t your typical rich jerk that you see in a lot of cartoons and can still be a bit goofy and flamboyant at times (his song “Better Life” is a perfect example of this). I also really like all his bird-like mannerisms and how awkward and skittish he can be at times too, that’s also really endearing imo. And I also love how even with all his flaws, he tries to make up for them, even if it took him a while to fully own up to his mistakes.

Finally, I love the subtle foreshadowing to him being a bird-man (him saying things like “like a phoenix” and “my perch” during his song, the bird logo on his piano, and the feather he gives Arlo are some examples). His subtle similarities with Arlo - like a love of music/singing and the shared desire to find a community of sorts (even if they both went about it in totally different ways) - are also fun character details ^v^ plus hearing them harmonize in “Something’s Missing” is just SO GOOD!

"Sheriff Thompsonnnn! Yoohoooo~!"

Sheriff Thompson jumped at the sound of a particularly high pitched (and annoying) voice calling out his name.

It was unmistakably, the prince of England's voice. Nobody else (other than detective Edward, of course) could succeed in irritating Thompson this much.

"Quit your hollerin', I'm over here." He grumbled, a hand already hovering over his canteen of alcohol in case this interaction got too annoying.

Prince Matthew minced over to Thompson, hands carefully combing through his hair. Thompson couldn't tell if it was a nervous habit or if the guy was just obsessed with his looks. (likely the latter)

"I thought you were on your way out." Thompson raised an eyebrow skeptically.

The prince straightened his uniform, looking down at the shorter man with a scoff. "Well, I was—but after thanking detective Edward for taking care of those pesky bandits, he insisted I thank you aswell."

He let out a snide huff, his hands resting on his hips. "Even though you didn't really do anything." He added.

Thompson shot a glare at Matthew, appalled by his audacity. "Hey! Just what are y—"

"However," Matthew interrupted, as if he hadn't just insulted the sheriff to his face. "I have immense respect for detective Edward. So, for him, I shall extend my gratitude."

Thompson didn't know what he expected—maybe for the prince to just leave it at that, shake his hand and so on. But, he didn't.

The sheriff's reflexes failed him as Matthew leaned down, gently kissing him on the cheek.

Thompson had never been kissed by a boy before. (well, he'd never really been kissed at all) Maybe that explained why he felt like he'd just been zapped. His face flushed a bright red, and he went still, freezing up like someone just pointed a gun at him.

Matthew seemed puzzled at Thompson's reaction when he pulled away.

"...Are you feeling alright?" Asked the prince.

Thompson snapped back to reality (to the best of his ability), tipping his hat to shade his face. Like hell he was letting anyone see him blush.

"Yup. Doin' just fine." He lied, his voice a little strained.

Matthew almost pressed Thompson for the truth, but he really had to be on his way soon, so he decided to just drop it for now.

"Righto! Anywho—Adieu, sheriff. Until next time, whenever that may be!" He announced dramatically, turning to leave.

Thompson rolled his eyes. "Seeya, pretty boy."

The prince stopped mid-walk, whipping his head around. "Ah—P-Pardon me?!" He sputtered.

Thompson glanced at Matthew, face red with an expression of disbelief and awkwardness plastered all over it.

"Oh, c'mon! You kissed me!"

Matthew's face was beginning to heat up aswell, his eyes darting anywhere but Thompson. "It was merely an expression of gratitude!" He whined stubbornly. "Calling one 'pretty' is—well, it's quite different—!"

Thompson groaned, already embarrassed enough. "It wasn't—I didn't mean it like that!" He insisted defensively.

Matthew paused.

"Sooo... I'm not pretty?" He asked sheepishly, with the body language of a lost puppy.

"Wha—" The sheriff—for the first time in his life, stammered. "That's—!" He began, then let out a defeated sigh.

"You are pretty. Very, very pretty. N-Now—Get on outta here! Go on! Geeet!" He commanded, shaking his fist.

Matthew seemed delighted with the comment, his ego refueled. "Why, thankyou!" He chirped. "Ta-ta~!" He called out, waving as he skipped away.

Thompson sighed, a heavy, relieved sound as the prince began to disappear into the distance.

It was weird, he almost didn't want to see him go. He really was pretty...

Thompson mentally smacked himself for thinking that. No, Thompson, no! Don't be an idiot!

His hand hovered near his cheek, brushing against the spot where Matthew had kissed him.

Well...