The
Princess and the Frog
Released
2009
Directed
By Ron Clements and Jon Musker
Music
By Randy Newman
Happy
March Madness/St Patrick's Day/Mardi Gras blog land!!! I just love the
month of March as it means the end of winter (and let's face it this has been
one LOOOOOOOOOOOONG winter) and time to start celebrating the earth waking up
and becoming green again. For you sports fans you have March Madness to
look forward to and St. Patrick's Day for a reason to party (like we really
need much of one right?) And this year Fat Tuesday happened to fall early
in the month of March as well. And you all know, where there's Fat
Tuesday ... There's MARDI GRAS!!! The party in New Orleans of outlandish
proportions full of debauchery before the lenten season. But then again
... Isn't that the purpose of Mardi Gras? One last day of frivolity
before going into the season of fasting and reflection.
Years
ago when I was in grade school, my family's business had the opportunity to
attend a convention in New Orleans around the time of Mardi Gras. It was
an amazing experience ... Waking up during the morning and seeing the mist on
the river, experiencing jazz, amazing food ... and even met a mule named Aretha
Franklin!! The people of New Orleans lived life with flair and gusto that
is unrivaled to this day and for anyone who has an appreciation for good food,
good music and a good time be sure to carve out a vacation for New Orleans.
You won't regret the choice!
In
honor of Mardi Gras this month's film is The
Princess and the Frog. That's right everyone ... the classic story of
a princess who finds a frog begging for a kiss ... But with a little twist and
new location. Taking place in New Orleans during Jazz Age, we follow the
adventures of Tiana and Naveen through the Louisiana Bayou and into the heart
of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. What I love most about this movie is
how the Disney crew was able to capture the culture of New Orleans. From
the amazing dishes of Tiana's cooking to Big Daddy La Bouff being the king of
Mardi Gras, Dr. Facilier and Mama Odie's hoodoo and voodoo, to the music of
Randy Newman capturing all the different types of Jazz. In the audio
commentary of the movie the directors talk about spending several months
in New Orleans to learn and capture the culture. Much like previous films done by Disney, the
voice acting was not overlooked. Tiana
is voiced by the very talented Anika Noni-Rose.
My first experience with Anika as an actress came from the movie Dreamgirls
as she played the role of Lorelle. The
heartbreaker and happy-go-lucky Prince Naveen voiced by Bruno Campos, who has
enjoyed a career in TV dramas such as The Closer and ER. Dr. Facilier and future lackey Lawrence were
voiced by Keith David and Peter Bartlett.
John Goodman gave life to Big Daddy La Bouff and Oprah Winfrey lent her
vocal talents to Tianna’s mother Eudora.
There’s even a small “guest spot” for celebrity chef and restaurateur
Emeril Lagasse!!
The
music of Princess and the Frog also gives us a taste of New
Orleans. Randy Newman’s score and songs
give us a flavor of the many types of Jazz and Americana music. Mama Odie gives us a taste of gospel with her
song “Dig A Little Deeper” while Ray shows his Cajun roots with “Going Down The
Bayou.” Louis the Gator homages Louis
Armstrong with his stylings on the trumpet and we’re introduced to Prince
Naveen during a ragtime jam in the streets of the French Quarter. We even get a visual styling of Jazz during
the party scene where different party-goers showcase the dances of the time
like the Charleston and Lindy Hop. One
remarkable feat of the cast was their ability to not only voice the characters
but also sing them as well. This hadn’t
been done since Beauty and the Beast in 1991.
Princess
and the Frog. I confess I’m unsure where to start with this
film … The film takes me back to the movie-musicals like Beauty and the Beast,
Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Aladdin, where there was little to
no computer animation. By blending those
elements with a new twist on a classic children’s fairytale, Disney has managed
to stay current while not forgetting its origins.
In
the audio commentary, Jon Musker comments on the “two obsessions” in New Orleans,
food and music. These two elements
weaving throughout the film are what caught me as well. My musical life started at the age of 9 when
I started taking piano lessons and singing with a local children’s chorus,
which then led me into playing the organ and taking up singing lessons and all
the way to getting a Masters in Music. Growing
up family gatherings at my house involved the parents, grandparents, great
grandparents at times, cousins, aunts, uncles, spouses … Needless to say they
were big affairs. Christmas, Easter,
birthdays, weddings, even funerals were normally celebrated with food. Thanksgiving always had at least two turkeys
and so many sides that it took two or three long banquet tables to place
everything. Food became a means of
celebrating and sharing with family, even some of whom we may not have seen for
years. In the movie, Tiana’s father
tells a very young Tiana “You know the thing about good food? It brings folks
together from all walks of life. It warms them right up and it puts little
smiles on their faces” and that’s what we did; fellowship through food. Food brings together Louis, Naveen, Ray, and
Tiana and even helps melt a little of the ice between the two main
characters. I noticed that it seemed as
though we had both elements characterized in the main characters, Tiana hardworking,
passionate and dedicated to her cooking and her dream of owning her own
restaurant while Naveen, fun-loving, playboy, and frivolous wanting nothing
more than to play and enjoy jazz music.
The Yin/Yang of life in our two main characters, which brings us to the finals
thoughts of this blog …
Princess and
the Frog: A modern, Jazzy twist on a
classic tale. Not only do we see a new
twist on a Disney film, but a blend old techniques and new takes on characters
to create a fun family film.
Perfect For: The dreamer that shies away from hard work … Or the hard worker that shies away from dreaming. The princess in your life that knows the value of working towards your dream.
Most likely character you’ll see in the parks: Being inducted into the pantheon of princesses, you’ll most likely run into Tiana herself ready to share her secret for some amazing beignets.
Well kids …
another month blog has passed. I am
hoping you all will have a safe March and that spring is just around the corner
for you (I know I’m ready for better weather!)
Next month’s film: Hunchback of Notre Dame. And now it’s time for me to invest in the two
newest films for my collection: Saving Mr. Banks and Frozen. They
are now released on DVD and I can’t WAIT to get my copies!!!
Have a Magical
Day all!! – Pat A
