BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2017) Movie Review
Hebrews 13:16 says, "And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." (NLT)
Beauty and the Beast is a remarkable live action remake of animated 1991 Disney classic. However, this is no simple remake. Rather, it is an upgrade, because it gives the story a deeper level of meaning and fills in many plot holes of the original.
One such patch occurs with the surprising twist ending regarding Agatha, the village's homeless woman. Where most people in the village pass her by without a second though, she turns out to be the key to saving both the castle and the village. She is the glue holding the two locations together.
In a deleted scene, Belle is one of few who shows kindness to the poor woman. Despite Belle's own poor circumstances, she does not let anything interfere with her compassion. She shows this same compassion to everyone in her life. She teaches a child to read. She defends, encourages, and protects her father. She mends Beast's wounds after a vicious attack. Her compassion is rewarded with the status of princess.
Proverbs 19:17 says, "If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord and he will repay you!" (NLT)
Meanwhile, the popular and wealthy Gaston is an infuriating illustration of Belle's opposite. He is selfish, controlling, judgmental, and condescending. He refers to Agatha as a spinster and a hag. She is more of a cautionary tale to him than a needy soul. His treatment of Agatha is similar to his treatment of Maurice and Beast. They are mere obstacles to his ambitions, and he tries to murder them. He meets a gruesome end as a result of his blind, greedy ambition. Even after an offer of grace. He rejects the grace and chooses greed.
Christ explains in Matthew 25:41-43, "...Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home..." (NLT)
One thing is certain. Belle's journey begins and ends with Agatha. Agatha is a test for the entire village, and Belle passes that test. Belle is the only woman worthy to guide Beast on a path of growth and redemption. Without Belle (the outcast and future spinster) the village and the castle would have no hope of salvation.
Next time a homeless person asks you for some money or food, what will you see? There is more to that person than a dirty spinster. That person is a child of God, and within him/her is God yearning for your kindness.
