March 21, 2015

Frozen: Some Lessons Can Be Learned - Sisters Before Misters And Others


                                                           




Well, it seems we can’t quite “let it go’’ yet, with Disney Films confirming it’s making a sequel to its gargantuan hit Frozen. 

This comes as no surprise. To date, Frozen has taken in about $1.3 billion at the box office, and that’s before taking into account the millions of dollars the film raised in merchandise, of which I believe my own household contributed a not inconsiderable portion.

(Mine too! Frozen parties are all the rage!)

Frozen was a runaway hit for Disney, and deservedly so, featuring two female heroines and a nice twist on the “handsome prince to the rescue” theme — which we all know doesn’t always end in a fairy tale, don’t we girls?

Now, while there are wonderful lessons in Frozen for the little girls of this world, the film also contains some wisdom we all could benefit from.

                                                                    


So, in no particular order, here are some of the lessons Frozen has taught us.

Let it go.
Obviously, this is the big one, which Taylor Swift cleverly turned into “Shake It Off”, and also made a motza. But the message is a good one. That boy who broke your heart? That girl who you thought was your friend, but turned out to be your frenemy? That co-worker who you are sure stole your sandwich out of the work fridge? Let it go, girl, let it go. Remember, you are one with the wind and sky.

Do not hide your child’s different-ness.
Imagine if instead of hiding Elsa away when they discovered her cryokinetic powers, her parents had enrolled her at a school for gifted children instead. Or, alternatively entered her in The X Factor … “What a pretty dress Elsa, very nice blue — and what do you do?” “I’m going to freeze the entire studio audience.’’ “Lovely!”

Beware the quickie engagement.
You know how it is, girl. You meet a man who seems to fall instantly and totally in love with you. He showers you with roses, he tells everyone he meets you are the one, he proposes, and you, caught up in the giddy romance of it all, accept and the next thing you know, he’s plotting your death and planning to take over your kingdom. These sorts of men are everywhere, and I’m sure there’s probably an actual term for them, and this sort of behaviour. But now, thanks to Frozen, we can just refer to them as “Prince Hans’s”.

The ladeez love the tradies.
We do, and with good reason. They’re so practical, so manly, so handy in an eternal winter, aren’t they? And really, who wouldn’t have picked hunky Kristoff breaking all that ice with his bare hands over Hans, with his bouffant hairdo and equestrian boots? Also, it turns out he was a narcissistic, psychopathic killer, which is never attractive.

Sisters stick together.
Sisters can fall out, have the world’s biggest screaming matches, call each other every single name under the sun, physically attack each other, accidentally freeze each others hearts to death, and still love each other. Another interesting fact about sisters that may be handy for men to know, is while they can call each other every name under the sun, you cannot. Indeed you can listen for years against a non-stream tirade against a particular sister, but the moment you actually join in, you will receive a stare as cold as ice, and wish your own heart had actually been frozen to death.

The best men are usually the “Fixer-uppers”.
Remember that scene in Frozen when Hans’s troll family tried to convince Anna to marry him on the basis that while he was a long way from perfect, he was an excellent fixer-upper? This was excellent advice because smart girls know the best men are the ones who are a little unfinished, a little unsure of their path in the world, a little rough around the edges. So we can change them.

Love is an open door.
Well, sometimes, but you may want to check first that it leads to an actual person, and not a stairwell.
                                                                     


By Frances Whiting


With many thanks to  RendezView