Anyone who says Disney has never made a movie with as much depth as Pixar clearly has never seen The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
In just ONE SONG (Hellfire) the topics of lust, rape, murder, and religion are all brought up, and…I don’t remember anything resembling chemistry between the heroine and the blonde guy (though it has been like two years since I last saw it so). And let’s not pretend like the Disney studios are particularly preoccupied with healthy romantic relationships. I think that taken on its own the romantic resolution is fine, but it’s definitely fucked up how the only Disney film where the male and female protagonist don’t end up together is the one where the hero has a hunchback and one eye that’s twice as big as the other.
it’s been a while since i’ve seen it too buttttttt there’s more there than the friendship than she feels for quasi so like????
i don’t know i feel like so many people get up in arms about how WHY DIDN’T HE GET THE GIRL THAT’S SO MESSED UP when that kinda means they’re missing another message about friendship bonds?
people keep comparing disney movies like all together and i always thought that was dumb it’s like how people compare all their movies that ‘have poc main characters!!! and they all turn into animals what does THAT say!!!!”
i dunno i have no idea what i’m talking about i should probably like watch the movie again or something
I mean, you can’t really justify it by saying that there’s “more” between her and Captain Blondeguy because they aren’t real people– the writers PUT more between those two characters because that romance is prettier and more socially acceptable. Or something. As far as I can remember, Blondeguy doesn’t really add a lot to the story plot-wise, he’s pretty much just there to serve as a love interest for Cool Rebel Heroine (And as far as I’m concerned, she doesn’t need one– but if there’s gonna be romance, why not with Quasimodo?).
And as for the lesson about friendship, great! Lots of Disney movies have wonderful messages about friendship, and if that’s what you want to take away from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, fine. But the message I’ve taken away every time I’ve watched it is:
“Good news, kids! If you’re ugly or disabled (or, god forbid, both) not everyone will hate you forever! You might make a friend or two, or even enjoy a moment in the spotlight. But no one will ever have romantic feelings for you, because, like, ew.”
(via witchydarling)