The Little Mermaid originally is an 1836 tale from the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen. However, the known version is Disney's animated adaptation from the Renaissance era, "The Little Mermaid" (John Musker and Ron Clements, 1989). Now, even more popular with the younger generation, the live-action version, "The Little Mermaid" (Rob Marshall, 2023), was released on the silver screen in late May and has recently become available on Disney+ and in Blu-ray DVD format.
Over the years, there have been a few modifications due to audience demands and changing formats.
There are several differences between the original tale and the Disney animation. While Disney retained the essence of Andersen’s short story, it applied its famous formula, resulting in changes such as character names, alterations to the protagonist’s motivations, the introduction of new elements, and a happier ending. Additionally, Disney sanitized the story to make it more suitable for a younger audience, transforming its originally tragic and dark themes into something more palatable for family-friendly viewers.
Over the course of three decades, much like many other Disney stories, the 1989 animation of 'The Little Mermaid' became beloved and played a significant role in the childhoods of people around the world. It served as a connecting point between generations. However, upon revisiting the film as an adult, I have noticed certain problematic elements. It is important to highlight these issues, particularly when considering that the film is targeted at a young audience, who can be easily influenced while carrying the weight of the future.
On one hand, Ariel represents repressed female desire through her immediate attraction to Eric. She stands out among Disney princesses as an active character who rescues Eric and prevents his wedding to Vanessa. Ariel is a flawed hero, characterized by her rebellion, occasional selfishness, and even the act of smoking a cigar. It's worth noting that Eric falls for Ariel not just due to her physical beauty but also because of her remarkable singing ability.
On the other hand, Ariel's love story with Eric revolves around the concept of 'love at first sight' leading to marriage, which doesn't necessarily guarantee a happily ever after, especially considering her young age of sixteen. Throughout the narrative, the protagonist is consistently protected by male figures, including her overbearing father, Sebastian, and Eric. Ursula's spell puts Ariel in a vulnerable position among strangers, further emphasizing classical Disney contrasts between the protagonist and the villain, notably youth versus age.
There are underlying themes of body shaming and fatphobia, as Ursula is portrayed as a larger and older character compared to Ariel. It's worth noting that Ursula was inspired by the real-life drag queen Divine, a prominent figure in the LGBT+ community at the time. Divine's high pointy eyebrows, exaggerated makeup, and overly sexualized behaviour resemble characteristics associated with drag queens, contributing to the character's status as a queer-coded Disney villain.
In recent years, discussions about environmental issues have gained prominence, and the film presents Ariel's human object collection in a positive light. However, it's essential to recognize that this collection represents an accumulation of garbage that can harm the diverse sea life depicted in the animation.
Fairy tales are an integral part of children's education, and as such, the portrayals within these stories are of concern due to their potential impact on young minds. These depictions can shape children's senses and contribute to the formation of their subconscious values.
The live-action adaptation also diverges from the beloved cartoon version, with modifications to both the music and plot to align better with contemporary standards. Prior to the film's release, it faced controversy related to casting, with Disney selecting a Black actress for the leading role, sparking discussions about racism in the industry.
The live-action adaptation closely resembles the animated version in terms of the story, featuring a realist aesthetic and mirroring sequence of scenes. It briefly acknowledges its origins in Andersen's fairytale and the sirens from Greek mythology.
The live-action adaptation delves deeper into the female gaze with point-of-view shots from Princess Ariel. She remains an active character, and her personality gains more depth as she embraces a wanderlust craving and a desire for freedom. Notably, this is reflected in a change in the lyrics of 'Part of Your World,' which now carries a feminist undertone. Furthermore, the love between Ariel and Eric, while initially based on 'love at first sight,' is given more layers. Both characters can relate to one another despite their differences and learn from each other, resembling a connection akin to Romeo and Juliet. Eric's character, in particular, gains depth beyond his role as the protagonist's love interest. This synchrony of character development culminates in a notable departure from the traditional Disney ending, as the story concludes not with a marriage but with the two embarking on a world trip.
While the live-action adaptation boasts greater diversity in terms of ethnicity and race, with a Black actress in the leading role and mixed-race characters, it grapples with certain problematic themes. Notably, it romanticizes colonialism and imperialism through Eric's collection of memories from his global travels, including scenes where he discusses extracting cane and curing malaria. Furthermore, the film portrays a degree of Anglocentrism, as characters assume that English is the default language when interacting with others. Additionally, the story employs a recurring motif of different shades of blue, where clear is associated with good and dark is associated with bad, potentially reflecting a veiled racism.
In certain aspects, the movie is thought-provoking as it portrays humans as villains while briefly addressing environmental issues.
However, the movie reinforces female rivalry and beauty standards, particularly emphasizing thinness. This is evident in the polar opposition between the protagonist and the villain, both of whom are women, as well as when Ursula disguises herself in human form as a young and thin lady.
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