It took me twenty (20) years before finally deciding to watch Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Verdict? It was a really good film. However, I can never shake off the fact that the movie was too dark for a disney cartoon. Of course, what would you expect? It is after all an adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel of the same title. But come to think of it, the movie was intended for kids but it speaks of discrimination, selective justice, lust, passion, religion and even murder. I was only six years old when the film was released. If I watched the film back then, how would I even reflect on these things? Or how would my parents explain to me these themes that the society prefers not to disclose to a little kid?
So my curiosity led me to reading the reception of the audience to the said film. Critics gave the movie a positive response. To some it was a light adaptation of the book. The story was beautiful and the songs added a light mood to Hugo’s classic. It was even acclaimed as the best Disney film after Beauty and the Beast. However, the reactions it got was not solely positive. Of course, the adults (just like me) found the movie dark. The movie was found to resemble the Parisian Raid or the attack of the French police to the Parisian Church. Also, the gay communities were triggered by the song “out there” which is believed to be in reference to “coming out.” Issues about religion and how it is being portrayed in the movie was also mentioned. So yeah, if I watched the movie when I was still six years old, I probably would have not understood or appreciated any of the social themes of the movie.
On a lighter note, I agree that it is a good film. And maybe one of the best, if not the best Disney cartoon film I'seen. Aside from all the social issues presented subtly in the film, the movie teaches everyone to not lose hope in humanity. Because eventhough we feel that we don’t fit in or that we do not adhere to the standards of society, there is at least one person who can see us beyond our imperfections.
(now i wanna reread the book! ps. photo not minexD)
