BWW JR: TANGLED - The Sensitive Child Breaks Free of Her Personal Tower

 

Once upon a time, in a far-away land called the Upper West Side, there lived a little girl who was scared of Disney movies. She bravely soldiered through "Toy Story" and "Cars" with white knuckles for the benefit of her two-year-old brother, but to this day her parents still have to fast forward through the opening scene of "Finding Nemo". (You know....where the other-May ies-Day....get it?) So it was with great trepidation that I took this ultra-sensitive daughter of mine to an advance screening of Disney's latest mega-release, "Tangled".

While I always try to be understanding when it comes to my children's' various issues (I call them their "ishes". Everyone's got an "ish" these days.), it baffles me to see how watching a film as extraordinary as "Tangled" can be a stressful experience for any young viewer. Yes, there is fighting and cartoonish violence and just like in in "Rapunzel", the original Brother's Grimm tale on which "Tangled" is based, the lead character is stolen from her parents as an infant and is raised by a selfish woman obsessed with youth and physical beauty. (Yup, kind of just described myself a wee bit). But this movie was one of the most beautiful, hilarious and entertaining family films I've ever had the pleasure of watching. How could my daughter be terrified?

After the first 45 minutes of said daughter being glued to my arm, her forehead buried into my regrettably soft and comfy bicep, I realized the source of her stress: In the first line of the movie, the male hero narrates, "This is the story of how I died". From then on, my daughter created an "ish" for herself....she had trapped herself in a tower of fear, waiting to watch this beloved, animated Romeo die.

I will now share with you a tip for when you take your child to see "Tangled". Parent to parent. Just because I love you: I pointed out to my daughter that in order to SAY the words "this is how I died", one must be living. Therefore, we could safely assume that Rapunzel's guy would, in the end, live. Furthermore, I confidently reassured her that kids' movies all have happy endings and that I knew for a fact that in the end, they would all live happily ever after. Because even though advanced animation techniques and elevated art have made these blockbuster family films incredibly visceral and life-like, a parent can always count on Disney to come through for their child.

In the end, not only did Disney come through for us but my daughter came through for herself by staying with the story and reaping the rewards of a glorious and beautiful ending. (No spoilers here. It's based on a nearly 200-year-old fairy tale). And Disney came through for me by creating, yet again, a family film that can be enjoyed by children AND their parents. Even over sensitive kids with vanity obsessed mothers.

I am now, more than ever, in love with Donna Murphy and it's her performance along with Alan Menken's score that make this a film worthy of BroadwayWorld's attention. I was astounded by the subtlety and specificity in the characters' facial expressions....in fact, two of the most communicative and clearly understood animations are animals who don't speak a single line. If I didn't have kids I would probably see this movie anyway. I would just go to a later showing. And I would not have a seven-year-old attached to my Hadassah arm.

After the movie, while I was tucking my daughter in to bed, we had a wonderful talk about towers and the fears we all create for ourselves as children and even as adults. We spoke about the kind of courage it takes to break free, cut ties and take those first, tentative steps into adulthood and the rewards that await the truly brave soldiers who are able to conquer challenges with grace, empathy and strength. We then talked about our hair for a while and fell fast asleep.

Get to the point, Mom!

• A contemporary, hilarious reworking of the classic Brothers Grimm tale "Rapunzel".

• Disney computerized animation at its best with voices by Donna Murphy, MAndy Moore and Zachary Levi

• Lasts about 100 minutes and is rated PG

• For more information see the film's official web site: http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/tangled/#/home/

• Mild, cartoonish violence mixed with some very real emotional struggles....so be aware if your kid has an "ish". For the "ish" free, this film is appropriate for ages 5 and up.

 

 

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