Belle - Cheap Thoughts

Hosoda has always had an interesting perspective when it comes to the internet, not only by having a unique visual language to present the digital space but how he presents both the positive and negative aspects of this young system that has changed societal culture on an international scale. Belle is a story of how we present our online personas, in this universe everyone’s persona is crafted for them based on their physical features and their personal strengths, to give them a second life and a second chance, however that version of them is merely a reflection, a fabrication, to truly grow you have to accept the lesser sides of you and find ways to embrace, grow or forgive them. Suzu (Kaho Nakamura/Kylie McNeill) is a timid and awkward teenage girl unable to come to terms with a traumatic experience early on in life, however in the world of ‘U’ the online space she is able to become a worldwide celebrity due to her beautiful singing voice while also benefit from the anonymity the internet provides, to hide her pain. That is until she comes across a Beast (Takeru Satoh/Paul Castro Jr.) who wears his trauma on his sleeve and makes it his entire identity. For both of them to better themselves they have to help each other find a middle ground, to neither ignore your trauma or be consumed by it.

There’s an emotional honesty to Belle, a fragility in every aspect, from the character animation, the performances and the music. It doesn’t hold back the darker aspects but it is by no means a dark film. This master of tone and presentation is something Hosoda has handled in the best of his films, and he often builds on what he has made in the past. There are certainly similarities to be found between his and his other films (Most notably his 2009 hit Summer Wars, which in itself was him remaking his work on Digimon) and yet it never feels lacklustre of half-baked. Even when he copies his own work, he works to make it better from the last, and even then, no one is doing it like Hosoda, it’s a style contained to his own filmography that you just don’t tire of.

What does become lacklustre is when he lifts from work besides his own. You probably already caught on to the direct references between this film and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and no, he’s not just referencing the classic tale, but making direct parallels to specifically the 1991 version. While the basic homage works to create a framework and strengthen the themes of the film, there are times where it becomes more indulgent and distracting that it actually takes away from the film. When the audience is no longer just thinking about this film but thinking about another film made by entirely different people and wondering why they’re watching someone’s sci-fi fanfic about it. Thankfully these moments are only a handful, so it doesn’t detract too much, but it’s a noticeable distraction.

With all that being said, Belle is another wonderful feature from Hosoda, the waves of emotion that wash over you will leave you long after the credits, it lives up to its title as a beauty.

-Danny