DVDizzy Forum

Goliath, the meaning of something can exist before people discover said meaning. Also, the film will also mean something to the people that made it, at least, before any audience sees it. Plus, there's always directors who say people didn't get the meaning of their film. So both theories will exist simultaneously.

Ad for Belle, yes, I understand, but when I re-watched it, it is still possible that Gaston is surprised by their sudden outburst of song which could be interpreted as loud chatter, but more than that, I am pretty sure it is really that he was surprised people didn't stop to respond to what he said. There's also moments where he says "Please let me through", and I think this all says he expects them to part for him and pay attention to him, and he's shocked they aren't, that they block him from getting to Belle (by gathering in front of him again).

In fact, it illustrates more why he wants Belle. She's an even bigger deal than him, and being with her would also elevate his status even more.

Both of our interpretations are possible, but, the directors most surely wanted us to believe all that happens in the film is possible and "real" within it's own world. Not a play. But that it's really happening.

Stopping to sing a song can be interpretated as stopping to stare and chatter about someone. Belle stops the town literally, and makes them talk about her. But the surrealism of film also makes this chatter musical.

Disney Duster wrote:Goliath, the meaning of something can exist before people discover said meaning.

I don't think so, because how can you know the meaning of something without seeing it? It's impossible.

Disney Duster wrote:Also, the film will also mean something to the people that made it, at least, before any audience sees it. Plus, there's always directors who say people didn't get the meaning of their film. So both theories will exist simultaneously.

Yes, but the people who made a film will have watched (parts of) their film before they release it and therefore have already taken meaning from it.

Disney Duster wrote:Ad for Belle, yes, I understand, but when I re-watched it, it is still possible that Gaston is surprised by their sudden outburst of song which could be interpreted as loud chatter, but more than that, I am pretty sure it is really that he was surprised people didn't stop to respond to what he said.

Yes, but that's just the point I wanted to make. An outburst like that is not natural, and it's not played like it's natural --unlike other Disney films. The characters specifically stop what they were doing to look into the camera and start singing. That's very different from every other Disney film.

Disney Duster wrote:Both of our interpretations are possible, but, the directors most surely wanted us to believe all that happens in the film is possible and "real" within it's own world. Not a play. But that it's really happening.

Have they told that to you?

Hm. I don't think you understand.

There are people, and there are meanings. The meaning exists seperately from the people. Otherwise their would be no such thing as objectivity.

Also, when planning a film, when coming up with the first idea for it, it already has meaning. In fact, usually a meaning makes people want to make or think up the film in the first place.

I re-watched Belle again and yes, the villagers face the camera. However, where they are looking happens to be at Belle. It is quite possible to say they are looking "at the camera", but the filmakers never brought up such a thing you were talking about...anywhere, any time.

It seems we are supposed to not look at the villagers, but at Gaston. In fact, that's how you noticed Gaston looking at them as they sing. So it doesn't seem we're supposed to pay attention to where the villagers are looking, which, as I said, is also at Belle. Yes, for one brief moment the film seems to poke fun at the idea the villagers sing. That doesn't necessarily mean it's a play, but a fairy tale, or at least, something unrealistic, something uncommon. Belle is uncommon, they are behaving uncommonly about her. Animals have talked to humans in past Disney films. In Beauty and the Beast, objects talk to Belle, and after a brief shock, she's like, "oh, well, whatever".

I love the story (moral) and the music

Disney Duster wrote:Hm. I don't think you understand.

I give up.

Honestly. I throw in the towel.

I almost voted for Milk Buds! Very funny!

I love everything about it, but one thing in particular would have to be the score. Its so emotional and moving, Menken is a genius, and the ability to convey and sum up everything this movie is about (to me) through the score is incredible.