A Little Princess

A fairy tale will earn points with me if it has an interesting story, charismatic characters on both sides of the barricade, a dramatic conflict, and a moral lesson. We consider fairy tales as a genre for children (which, by the way, has never been entirely true, and even less so today when fairy tales often serve as a return to an idealized carefree childhood for adults) and an important element of them should be preparation for life with all its pitfalls and risks. A Little Princess has none of the aforementioned traits and functions. It takes place in a beautiful and partly exotic setting, features top-notch directorial craftsmanship, and aims to move, pet on the head, and cultivate a sense of exclusivity. It is a product primarily intended for little girls who enjoy playing with dolls and who have not yet started putting on makeup and preparing for their first date. The main character is a sugary-sweet girl from a prominent family, where the concept of suffering has a completely different dimension than in the rest of society. Her troubles can be likened to a millionaire's daughter telling a story about poverty: "That was such a poor family. All the maids, the cook, the gardener, the driver, even the butler suffered terribly." A good upbringing includes explaining to a child that they are not and never will be a princess and that they should not rely on princes, or even on Ken. They should learn that real life involves true losses and genuine pain and that in reality, parental and partner love does not consist only of indulgence, kindness, and sweet-talking. It includes making demands, realizing boundaries, giving constructive criticism, and the ability to wake the other person up from their dream. Cuarón made an overly sweet and overly decorated spectacle. However, he did make it beautifully, so if the above-mentioned aspects don't bother you, you won't lose anything by watching it and you will certainly give it an extra star. In the near future, I would really like to see an uncompromisingly filmed version of Little Red Riding Hood. Overall impression: 30%. (01/25/2017)

“Oh, that's why Alfonso Cuarón took charge of Harry Potter," I said to myself, because after watching A Little Princess, it becomes clearer every minute. Fantasies, charms and fairy tales help children escape from the gray (or green yellow black) reality, both of those worlds blend beautifully, it’s easy to watch and it's good for the soul. Thanks to Cuarón's firm hand, it also has style from start to finish that is enhanced by Patrick Doyle's music when he leans into it in the scene on the balcony, in the quest for the necklace, or during the final, almost Hitchcock, tension. (02/14/2021)