The Best Vacation Project of All Time: A Cultural Studies Project

Disney’s The Princess and The Frog (2009)

     

PLOT:

Disney’s done it again. E. D. Baker’s classic tale, The Princess and the Frog has been given a modern twist. This time, the story has turned into an animated film set in the City of New Orleans during 1912. Hardworking and determined, Tiana dreams of someday of making her and her fathers wish come true by opening the finest restaurant in New Orleans. For years Tiana has put all her effort and savings into making this dream come true until tragedy strikes. Prince Naveen who was recently cut off due to his lack of responsibility, travels to New Orleans in hopes of marrying into a wealthy family and find himself during his travels. During his stay Naveen gets caught up in the upbeat jazz swinging and dark elusive attractions the city is so famous for. Especially when him and his trusted acquaintance, Lawrence, meet a dark and powerful witch doctor, Dr. Facilier. Dr. Facilier offers the two the chance to get the one thing they desire the most; only with one small exception. Naveen is transformed into a slimy frog while Lawrence gets fill in Naveen's shoes for a few days. In a twist of fate, Tiana and Naveen cross paths at a costume party. Thinking Tiana, dressed as a princess at the time, can get rid of Naveen's his bad attempting to recreate the famous fairy-tale. However, this plan quickly backfires as Tiana is turned into a frog herself. The pair, with the help of a few friends go on a swinging musical adventure through the New Orleans bayou to seek the help of a powerful voodoo priestess, Mama Odie.

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As a class we were asked a few questions regarding the programs we watched. These are just a few questions I felt best to answer certain aspects of this movie.

• If you were an alien watching this crazy human TV box, what do earthlings worship? Revere? Honor? What do these earthlings reject or neglect?

Far out man!

If I were an alien watching this crazy human TV box trying to understand what earthlings worshiped, admire, or even feared; I would have to say that many earthlings worship the idea if you do not work hard enough or put your best foot foward to make your dreams come true, then you haven’t found success. Earthlings worship loove. The type of love where the character finds Mr. or Mrs. Right (but usually in these movies it always seems to be the girl, princes, whomever it may be...to find Mr. Right). Earthlings admire a heroine, whether male or female, to find success in achieving their dream or finding their true love. Yet, they fear the thought of something bad happening or if their dream or goal may never come true. That’s why this heroine is rooted throughout the whoole film, and always seems to find what they wanted in the end. (oops spoiler alert! xD)

• Are there people In this cultural space of TV-land, who is “normal” and who is “other”? Consider:

In this cultural space of TV-land, characters that fit of the “norm” are the characters like, Tiana and her family, the main characters everyone roots for. Prince Naveen, a typically troubled character trying to find his way in life after going on a big adventure. Or even Louis the gator and Ray the firefly, trusty comrades helping the protagonist complete their important and plot driving mission. Characters that would be considered of the “other” category would have to be Dr. Facilier and Mama Odie. Dr. Facilier and Mama Odie stand out because of how they portray that fight against light and dark, good and bad, good magic vs. bad magic and so on when they take the roles of being voodoo priest and priestess. I thought this really stood out throughout the film because of the history behind the idea of voodoo, where it came from, irony behind what “group” of people were said to do it, and how it all ties back to the setting and characters of the movie.   

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• Are there people of color in the TV show/film? If so, what types of characters do they play? Are they main characters? Side characters? Heroes? Villains? Bystanders?  

Yes, people of color are in the film. I feel that with the modern twist on the classic fairy tale, this film tries to challenge the typical characters from the southern 1910’s era. The cast even features a very diverse group of characters. I don't want to come off as being rude when I describe characters in the film, but these are just a few impressions I got when meeting certain characters. Looking back at how the way directors implement these slight details to make characters come together and make the story work for the setting was very interesting. I wasn't very fond of certain choices but it makes sense as to why they did what they had to do.

Tiana on her way to work

Tiana (Hero) - like stated before, plays the role of a hard working and good southern Black American young woman

Prince Naveen (Hero) - of Spanish descent, plays a swaggered and a little vain European man, Naveen has a thick accent, a little invested in his looks, always the life of the party and a catch with the ladies, and has a dire love for music

Dr. Facilier (Villain) -  He is known to be a slick, evil but powerful southern Black American gentleman, dressed in dark attire: a top hat, vest, dress pants and shoes, and a matching cane. Facilier has plans of his own to spread darkness and corruption, and become fantastically wealthy in the process.

(left - right)
Lawrence, Dr, Facilier, and Prince Naveen  

Mama Odie (Fairy Godmother) - short but sassy old southern Black American woman who still has a lot of spunk in her step, Mama Odie acts as the typical fairy godmother of films being there to support the main characters on their travels and always providing advice

Ray & Louis (Side Characters) - play the role of southern countryside men, who happen to be living in the swam. Both have stereotypical heavy accent, buck-teeth, and messy hair. But are key roles into helping the heroines complete their mission.

‘Big Daddy’ La Bouff’ (Side Characters) - plays the role of the filthy rich tall but slightly heavy southern gentlemen. He’s friendly, striking and powerful.

The one and only...Charlotte La Bouff 

Charlotte La Bouff (Side Character) - Tiana’s childhood friend, and average southern bell daughter of ‘Big Daddy’ La Bouff. Charlotte has lived a quaint and happy life always getting what she desires most. This time her dreams go above and beyond anything she could as for. She dreams of one day marrying a real life prince

• What types of cultural allusions are made? (In other words, what type of cultural information is the audience expected to know? This may be about popular culture, contemporary politics, history, etc.)

Some cultural information the audience is expected to know is the history behind the specific time the film is set in. During the 1910’s, with the rise of a new type of music called jazz, to the creative and authentic food, festive celebrations of Mardi Gras, even including the subtle but nostalgic fashions of the time period, New Orleans was certainly the place to be.

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CONCLUSION:

I think what viewers can take away from this film is that: The Princess and The Frogs teaches viewers that regardless of some typical aspects to any princess movie, or the the roles of certain groups of people played, viewers can look to Tiana as someone of inspiration. Disney princesses are characterized of having certain features or elements making them for who they are. However, with films such as this or others like Mulan; a Disney princess is being redefined. Anyone can be a princess. In addition, Tiana become one of Disney’s first interracial couples after marrying Prince Naveen at the end of the film (oops another spoiler). I found that viewers can take away a lot from the films kind messages and diverse cast making it an interesting take on the classic fairy tale.