Has Disney Set us up for failure: Should you wait for Prince Charming?
St. Patrick’s Day 2017, aka the 17th March, was the day that many had been impatiently awaiting. No, it was not so they could wear a tacky leprechaun outfit. No, it was not so they could drink as much Guinness as humanly possible in one sitting. For those of you that perhaps chose to spend the day joining in with the global celebration of all things Irish, the 17th of March was the day that Disney finally (re)invited fans to ‘be their guest’ with the release of the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast. It would seem those who did not attend premier screenings felt that a big dark room surrounded by strangers munching on popcorn would be the best place to nurse any hangovers as the three-day weekend saw the box office take in a record breaking €2.2m, for the Disney remake.
Having heard rave reviews from various sources, most notably my younger brother who was dragged almost kicking and screaming by his girlfriend, I made a special effort to fit a viewing of Emma Watson swirling around a ballroom in that yellow dress into my schedule. Although the remakes of the animated classics seem to take on a far more empowering approach to their female leads than the ones many of us grew up on, they still carry undertones of the traditional “happily ever after” dependent on a ‘Prince Charming’.
It is no secret that the Disney Princess films, especially those from pre 2000’s, tend to push the narrative of young women who either a) are damsels in distress and need to be saved by a ‘Prince Charming’ character or b) have slightly independent tendencies but eventually become subdued versions of their previously powerful selves (cough Mulan cough) because they meet the man/Prince of their dreams. It seems that love from her perfect male counterpart is the only thing that can bring complete happiness to each of the Disney Princess’s, and for those of us who grew up on the franchise – that mentality inevitably sticks in our subconscious to a certain extent. We are thus taught at a young age to search for that Prince Charming who will make all our worries disappear with a simple kiss (cough Sleeping Beauty cough) and only then, through falling in love with this oh so perfect partner, can we will happily ever after. And in an age of romance that revolves around Tinder, it’s becoming easier and easier to dismiss anyone that does not exceed the impossible ‘Prince Charming’ standards many people have come to expect.
Well, if you haven’t already figured it out, I hate to be the one to ruin whatever fairy tale you have convinced yourself you are living in but Prince charming does not exist. Even Prince William, the closest thing we are going to get to real life version of Prince Charming was recently caught out partying with various Australian models in Verbier, Switzerland, while his family remained in England. Regardless of how cringe worthy his dance moves were, and that we obviously don’t know the circumstances for his being away from his wife and children; the point is, even the most apparently perfect people have flaws and mess up sometimes.
It’s all well and good to fantasize about finding a special someone who will help fulfil your life, but the important thing is to not let that be your only goal. Finding true love and living happily ever after may be ‘A Tale as old as Time’ but it isn’t a reality as old as time. You’re certainly not going to find ‘Prince Charming’ by sitting on your laurels, so go chase your own goals, make your dreams a reality and perhaps along the way you’ll find a perfectly imperfect somebody who’s so much better than any Prince Charming.