Parents' Guide to

Belle and the Beast: A Latter-Day Tale

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Faith-based take on classic story is wholesome but bland.

Movie PG 2007 91 minutes
Belle and the Beast: A Latter-Day Tale Poster Image

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What's the Story?

In a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast tale, pretty Belle (Summer Naomi Smart) is forced to work as an assistant to Eric (Matthew Reese), well known for being mean and angry since the loss of his young wife 10 years before. The locals call him the "Beast," but it's a reference to his character only as he is a handsome and sophisticated guy. Belle tells him, "God wants me to be happy," but Eric believes he has been abandoned by God and years before even turned to alcohol to dull his emotional pain. Sober for many years now, he is a hard-driving loner, running a successful business and treating everyone in his path badly. Gradually, Belle's good work and her refusal to be cowed by his dismissive nastiness opens his eyes to how much he has missed in life. Belle recognizes that sadness and loss are behind his isolation and bad behavior. As Eric becomes more considerate and happier, you can expect the inevitable coupling of the pair for a romantic ending.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Although the story is involving, the production sometimes looks and feels like a long commercial, and the acting and writing have little depth or complexity. The transformation of a lost soul into someone who can again see life's beauty might compel some viewers enough to overcome disappointments in cinematic quality. Best for Christian families looking for a religious interpretation of a classic story.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how to handle mean people. Should you be mean back? Should you try to help them by showing them kindness?

  • Do you think people sometimes have reasons for being mean to others? What are some life experiences that might make someone turn mean?

  • If someone is being too mean, what should you do? Who could help you?

Movie Details

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