Belle Review: How the Internet Can Prompt Self-Discovery

Tia McGrew
May 12, 2022
9 min read

For years, director Mamoru Hosoda has been producing works that revolve around exploring the fantastical cyberspace that the internet can bring. With movies such as Wolf Children (2012) and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), Hosoda primarily aims to explore themes that include grief, loss and embracing yourself as an individual.

Belle, which released in the United Kingdom during early February of this year, pulls the viewer into the mesmerising world of U from the very beginning of the film; using the format of 3D animation and kickstarting with the movie’s opening theme by millennium parade, we as viewers are immediately enticed by the eye-catching visuals. Belle’s voice actor, regardless of whether or not you watch the movie with subtitled or dubbed into English, has an outstanding and powerful delivery that is well-suited for the song. With over five billion users, each individual takes on their own cognitive form that are all generated from their own inner qualities and personality. This in itself is reflective of how the world of U to the characters within the movie serves as an escape of the harsh struggles reality can bring; and how the platform can be used to escape from the typical responsibilities we as human beings have to learn to cope with.

Long-time fans of Hosoda’s motion pictures may be able to make the correlation between his previous works and how he has attempted to tie together and contrast between principles that have been introduced years before. Specifically, Summer Wars (2009), that tells the tale of a group of teenagers warding off catastrophe taking place in the real world by using their own means to overcome a hostile force in an online battle, established the foundation of utilising the internet for beneficial use.

Animation, in many cases, can be used by us as people to escape to that same extent - by immersing us in this specially made world at the start of the movie and explaining the concept itself to us outright, this is ironically reflective of that ideology.

Belle, as a protagonist, is initially presented in a way that is mystical, being shown in the distance riding on a colossal whale with speakers and a flurry of flowers trailing from behind her. Much like how Belle is a captivating celebrity within the story of the movie, we are promptly given this exact same impression. Amongst the crowd, she stands out as she sings and the gathering cheers in the distance amongst the rumbling of the music. Going into the theatre, we know that she is the main character, the star – but in spite of this, we still have questions left racking around in our mind. Who is Belle? We are actively wanting to know about this massive influence from the influence the movie provides.

To discuss this even further, we will now be heading into spoiler territory – past the opening scene.

When we are eventually brought back into actuality, we are introduced to Suzu Naito, a rather shy and reserved young girl, who is our main character and who we also learn is Belle in U. Following the tragic death of her mother, whom sacrificed herself in order to save a drowning child, Suzu has grown quite withdrawn and can no longer continue pursuing her love for singing and music due to the trauma the incident inflicted upon her. Suzu is quiet, and reserved in reality, but is outspoken and joyous as Belle. Upon hesitantly entering U, after being persistently encouraged by her friend, Hiroka, Suzu then comes to the realisation that she is able to sing again through the virtual avatar of Belle. This leads into the key theme brought forth to us in the movie, and Hosoda’s overall positive take on the internet itself and how it can alternatively be used for good just as much as bad. By going on to take this other form of herself, Suzu is hence able to achieve and do things that she would usually be unable to do – even going as far as to fear her true identity ever being revealed in this universe, predominantly due to worrying about how people would react.

Escapism is a recognisable factor within Belle as a film, and as to how the colourful cast of characters each have their own reasons for entering the world of U and the influence they desire to bring to those around them that they generally cannot accomplish otherwise, in most cases.

As we step outside of the society of U, what I recognised and appreciated for myself was the change in animation format to convey this. U takes advantage of 3D animation to express the mystical nature of the platform. In contrast to this, however, when we are snapped back into reality, this also subsequently switches back to the traditional 2D animation Studio Chizu is typically known for. The 3D animation in itself is impressive, and flows excellently, especially the lip-syncing. This was a swift relief to me personally as there have been multiple occasions in which infamous anime studios have butchered the transition between animation mediums; with one example I can think of being Studio Ghibli’s Earwig and the Witch (2020) which was poorly received by critics and dedicated enthusiasts alike. This gives a rather outlandish feel and further isolates U as a world of its own when then compared to normal day-to-day society.

This does not mean that the 2D animation is any less astonishing, however – yet again, Chizu managed to blow me away with how intricate the scenery was and how expressive the characters are presented. I have been exceedingly fond of Studio Chizu’s works for many years; therefore, I was ecstatic to be able to finally experience one of their movies in cinema for myself.

Further into the film, we are introduced to the character known as the Dragon – whom has been wreaking havoc in U and is near constantly on the run from the self-appointed authorities. Crashing into Belle’s live concert, he is consequently chased by a group known as the Justices, who allegedly claim to uphold equality in U.

Without the fantastical world of U and her initial meeting with the Dragon, this would not have been possible for Suzu – as she would not have a specific sort of reasoning for wanting to overcome her personal boundaries. Rather, the movie’s message would have taken a drastically different term with this taken into consideration, otherwise; if Suzu continued escaping into virtual reality in order to become Belle and therefore became plunged into the society beyond the screen, this would have likely led to her discarding her truest self and simply endorsing in what she idealises herself as. Suzu learns to use her everlasting impact as Belle to heal in reality as opposed to running away from her struggles much like in the beginning of the film. This is the distinct difference between the internet being used for harm and endorsement and the internet being used to develop upon yourself as a person – which is what Hosoda aims to traverse with Belle in particular.

Reflective of the popular fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Hosoda takes a fair portion of inspiration from the original tale itself as well as Disney’s depiction of the story for a new, fresh take for the modern age, executing the concept in its own unique adversary. Additionally, I found the dynamic between Belle and the Dragon exceptionally interesting along with attempting to unveil who the individual behind the avatar of the Dragon was. The film expands and builds on this suspense up until the moment its shown. Early on, upon bestowing this character to the audience, the film establishes the relevance of the bruises traced along his back; which will prove to be a notable detail further into the movie and will lead to the ensuing disclosure of the story behind the Dragon himself. The Dragon plays an important role in Suzu discovering herself and arriving at the conclusion that she can use her large influence to turn wrongs right.

Slowly, throughout the film we start to see Suzu growing out of her shell and accepting herself for who she is and even overcoming the devastating loss of her mother to some degree; by actively seeking out the Dragon’s identity, she’s also able to comprehensively explore herself as a person and come to terms with her own trauma. By realising that she can use her abilities to help another, which is moreover parallel to her mother’s own self-sacrifice, she is then able to steadily grow as a person.

During the anticipated climax of the movie, it’s revealed through livestream footage online that the Dragon is in fact a fourteen-year-old boy named Kei – to which him and his little brother, Tomo, are being abused by their father at home. To prove her identity as Belle, Suzu is encouraged by her peers to enter U and reveal herself as who she truly is; which then leads to my absolute favourite scene in the entire film, which I am certain is also many others’ as well.

The filmography of this scene in particular is outstanding – Suzu standing above a massive gathering of people and her voice trembling as she begins to sing as herself in front of all these said people. The angle promptly circulates around her as she looks straight down, unable to look out to the crowd. She turns around to take a deep breath and to gather whatever courage she has within her. Gradually, she begins to break out of her shell. Her singing grows louder and the music drastically swells. With slides showing Belle mirrored in the background, the crowd cries out in support as she pauses, she looks out into the distance and is reminded of her mother and the sacrifice that she made, she begins to hum.

When I watched this movie for myself in cinema, I truly felt goosebumps run along my arms as the flock of people erupt into song with Suzu and scatter into a sea of lights ahead of her. Shaking and then inevitably breaking down into tears, Suzu stops, and the crowd keeps on going, encouraging her to continue and push forward. The whale from the opening scene of the movie erupts from the ground, and Suzu transforms into Belle and begins to sing once again. This is symbolic of Suzu embracing Belle as part of herself instead of Belle being an extension of who she is. I was completely captivated.

Suzu’s arc comes to a close when she is able to locate and find Kei as well as his younger sibling and make a stand to their father for herself; putting herself in front of the two and continuing to persist even when he begins to berate her. Truthfully, she has followed in her mother’s footsteps; not to the same extent, but more so being able to understand the meaning behind her actions on that day. Through this, she is thus able to come to terms with what happened and move forward and provide strength to those who also need it. Suzu’s identity as herself and as Belle compelled Kei to make a stand for himself against his father. One would not have their character arc complete without the other; making for a concept that is pensive of the tale of the Beauty and the Beast.

This isn’t to say that Belle is a perfect movie, nonetheless – there are multiple factors that I questioned whilst watching that I do think are worth mentioning. Namely, one of the issues that I had was the romantic subtext of Beauty and the Beast and as to how it’s taboo when told in this setting; with the Dragon being revealed to be a fourteen-year-old boy whereas Suzu is seventeen. I feel as though the audience may have misunderstood the relationship the two had built, and understandably so. In the aforementioned scene, Kei states that he would try to defend himself and his little brother. I’m unsure if it was the studio’s intention to leave the outcome of this up to interpretation, as we remain apprehensive about whether or not the Child Protective Services have or will be contacted or if the two young boys are still living with their father after the movie ends. The ending itself felt poorly executed.

The prime issue that I can think of when it comes to Belle is its attempt to tell a multitude of stories at the same time, which can feel somewhat overwhelming to the viewer and also hard to keep track of; this being the side story with Luka, Suzu’s harboured feelings towards her childhood friend, Shinobu, her trauma and inability to sing and express herself as an individual, as well as the virtual reality of U and uncovering the Dragon’s true identity. This is all amongst the Dragon’s story of his abusive life at home – which I presume had to have some kind of resolution quickly due to how late into the movie his persona was exposed. Simply put, it feels as though there are two separate story branches co-occurring between U and the real world, which can to some come across as disorienting. I am not certain as to whether or not this was the writers’ intent. Whilst this doesn’t necessarily pose as a problem, a lot of these stories are either left open-ended or do not have an entirely satisfying conclusion, which leaves the viewers wanting more of substance. The inconsistent pacing can potentially drag down some moments.

Regardless, all in all, I firmly believe that Belle is utterly worth a watch due to all of the promising qualities it brings to the table – and an optimistic mindset about looking towards the future in the digital age.

ANIMALYSIS

Belle Review: How the Internet Can Prompt Self-Discovery

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