Brave: An Un-Princessy Princess Movie

When I first saw the poster for this movie, I immediately thought this was going to be about a princess who defends her kingdom from intruders. Perhaps my false preconception has a lot to do with the connotation of “bravery.” I immediately think of an individual who uses his fighting prowess to protect his pack. This movie does everything to subvert our conception of what bravery is. Bravery doesn’t involve using brawn, moxie, and intellect to accomplish concrete goals.  No, it’s about being able to venture outside one’s comfort zone and be receptive to different ideas.

Set in feudal Scotland, “Brave” follows the development of Merida (Kelly Macdonald), a highly spirited princess who loves archery. Merida resents her mother, Queen Elinor, for micromanaging her life with lessons, expectations, and admonitions about what a princess can and cannot do. Feeling stifled by these lessons, all Merida wants to do at the end of the day is go horseback riding and shoot arrows. One day, Elinor and King Fergus (Billy Connolly) announce that they will hold a competition among prominent clansmen for Merida’s hand in marriage. Overwhelmed by a sudden imposition of marriage, Merida runs away to the forest and comes across an incompetent witch/woodcarver (Julie Walters). In order to reclaim her freedom, Merida coerces the witch to cast a spell to change her mother. To her dismay, Elinor turns into…a bear.  Meanwhile, peacetime between the kingdom and the various clans depend on this royal marriage. 

Deviating from the traditional focus on the father-son relationship, “Brave” follows the transformation of a mother-daughter relationship. Both mother and daughter have to put aside their stubbornness and reconcile their differences. As a bear, Elinor is thrust into Merida’s world of nature and wilderness and learns how to navigate the world outside the castle. Merida, forced to make a speech on behalf of her mother, learns how much courage, charisma, and diplomacy it takes to rule a kingdom.

As much as I enjoyed the movie, I can also see why some parents may have reservations about it. After all, a teenage girl drugs her mother and inadvertently ends up putting her in danger. However, we can understand this narrative as an analogy for the importance of listening and showing empathy. Their mutual stubbornness nearly destroys not only their family but also their entire kingdom. There are many lessons to be learned in this coming-of-age film, and they’re presented in a visually astounding, humorous, and nuanced manner.

I liked how the Queen for once is portrayed as the king’s right-hand person instead of an evil witch or a silly wallflower. Elinor is presented as a central figure, perhaps the hero, of this kingdom. At first, she appears to be a one-dimensional despot who micromanages her kid’s life. As the story progresses, we increasingly perceive her as a sympathetic mom who only wants the best for her daughter. The audience will empathize with her fight against this animalistic self-centeredness which threatens to vanquish her humanity and dignity. Although Fergus flaunts his strength and joviality, Elinor possesses the decorum and brains to manage foreign policy. While he boasts strength and fighting prowess, King Fergus simply lacks the tact and decorum to rule peacefully. Without Elinor’s presence, the kingdom nearly descends into complete chaos and war among the barbaric clans.

And this unwillingness to listen and cooperate stretches back to a legend about a greedy prince, who wanted to defeat his three brothers and claim the throne for himself. This physical transformation metaphorically illustrates how brutish stubbornness leads to self-destruction and loss of humanity. Perhaps we need to reevaluate our notion of bravery as acting aggressively to get what we want. Perhaps we need to consider how our wants and actions impact other people. In this movie, every little anecdote seamlessly connects to this central theme.

This aesthetically breathtaking masterpiece will captivate audiences of all ages. In the opening scene, I felt as if I were soaring above the verdant Scottish highlands. The level of detail is just stunning, especially when Elinor still retains many of her queenly mannerisms as a bear.  Even as a bear, Elinor’s eyes contain this incredible amount of heart and soul that we end up rooting for her reconciliation with Merida.

While some may argue that this movie is too “Disney,” I would disagree—I think “Brave” vastly departs from the happily-ever-after Disney Princess formula. For one thing, the film does not depend on a love interest to tame or save the tomboyish female protagonist. Even when she makes mistakes or saves the day, she does it mostly all on her own with help from her mom and her adorable rowdy triplet brothers. Equipped with humor, stunning visuals, and an adventurous fairy tale, “Brave” would be an excellent choice for a family outing.