Mirror, Mirror

“Mirror Mirror” was not on my list of “Must See” movies, yet it was the option selected by a group of friends tonight.  The gist of Disney’s classic “Snow White” is still familiar to me.  That same version, re-released in the early 90s just happens also to be the very first animated film I took my baby girl to...it was also the first and last film we ever had to leave early.  (Looking back, it was a little too intense for a toddler – oops, a Rookie Mom mistake.)

Movies are my “thing”.  I’m the type that likes to watch and re-watch great movies for missed clues, editorial mistakes, and quite simply – entertainment.  Sometimes, movies serve as a great escape when a week or particular day has been a bit overwhelming. However, if a movie fails to capture interest, my eyes are the first in the room to grow heavy.   Tonight, as I sat comfortably, well-fed and hydrated from a yummy dinner beforehand – my greatest concern was falling asleep.  Instead, I kept wishing a “pause” button was within reach – along with a notebook and pen.  There were so many “life applicable” gems incorporated into the revised familiar classic.  As we left the theater, I asked a friend if it was “just me” or were the multiple life and redemption references brazenly apparent to everyone. 

Background/Refresher: Snow White was born into nobility, but her mother died leaving her without a mom.  An evil woman later married her dad, thus becoming Queen.  Through evil manipulation, the king was soon out of the picture, no longer reining over his castle or the Kingdom.  The Evil Monarch (Julia Roberts) was rather conniving and manipulative to say the least.  A woman engulfed with pride – yet obviously painfully insecure.  She despised Snow White; so much that she manipulated others into believing deceitful lies about the “fairest of all” - the cherished and beautiful daughter of the King.  In this modern day version, the embittered Queen attempts to land a fifth husband, not for love, nor romance – but for selfish greed and continued control. 

Disclaimer:  Having seen this film just once and only an hour ago (and without a notebook!), here are a few plotlines and quotes that, in my humble moviegoer opinion, have great relevance to life, especially, to the lives of girls; and to those of us who have known the sensation of being in the crosshairs of another’s unyielding jealousy and envy. Not everyone has experienced being the target of such animosity, but I’m willing to bet that most of us have.  (If not, we have a friend who can likely relate.)

Quotes and Commentary:

The Queen Regarding Snow White: “She is a threat to everything, take her to the woods and feed her to the beast!”

Isn’t it interesting how bullies are often able to rally support simply by wagging their lying tongues?  I see the Queen as nothing more than a “Royal Bully”. Bullies secure the loyalty of their “supporters” by implementing a “gift with purchase” business model. If you give me your support in destroying or at least significantly damaging the life of someone I loathe – validating me in the process, you’ll receive: a spot at the cool kids’ lunch table, a new bike, a luxury vacation, a partnership in business, a promotion, FILL IN THE BLANK! (Some people are willing to sell their integrity for minimal, quickly fleeting and superficial gain!)

In one situation witnessed recently, the “Real Life Evil Queen” built her army by funding various wants and needs of her constituents.  She preys on the ones easily swayed, with the ultimate goal of controlling their actions long term.  The “bought” person(s) eventually attain a level of dependence making it uncomfortable to break free from the control – even when breaking free becomes desired. 

I’ve also seen it take years for some to realize they’ve been caught in this trap, but once free – they are all the wiser, and not at all surprised to see others caught in the same cycle, with the same conniving bully.

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Baker Margaret to Snow: “The Queen has the whole kingdom convinced you are nothing but a pathetic shut it. The worst is, she has you believing it too.” 

Like Snow, it can be a little too easy for us to view our significance in a manner consistent with the opinions of others.  That is dangerous and shortsighted!  Our value is not contingent with or decided by friends, family, coworkers - or other external factors.  Too often we forget that!

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The Queen regarding Snow White: “Snow will have to do what she does best.  Snow will have to fall!” 

hmmmm – fall?  (Interesting, especially when we consider “All fall short…..”)

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The Queen to Snow White regarding a shiny red apple: “It would warm my ancient heart if you could accept this modest gift on your wedding day.”

Snow White: “It's very kind of you.”

The Queen: “Just one bite... and a good fortune to the fairest of them all.”

Okay – I don’t have to tell you what apple this reminded me of!  (The Evil Queen seems to have a great deal in common with The Evil One...pride, deceit, tempest, building a self-serving contingency....the list goes on.)

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Dwarves to Snow: “A weakness is only a weakness if you think of it that way.” 
In our weakness…His power is made perfect – and He makes us strong.

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Perhaps, my favorite recurring theme of the movie was this: No matter who plotted against Snow White, regardless of the weapons and war waged against her, in spite of the lies temporarily believed by some, nothing, nothing, nothing kept her from being the Daughter of the King!  We can all rest in this truth. No one can take away our birthright! No one can separate us from the Love of the Father. 

I looked it up and don’t see any reference to Gregory Maguire’s faith (author of Mirror Mirror…Wicked, and other fairy tale rewrites), however I did note that the Brothers Grimm added Christian elements to their stories (authors of the original Snow White.)  Without time to research their story methods, my hunch is they were well familiar with scripture.  If not, they were well versed in human nature and the ongoing battle between good and evil. 

So, the “fairy tale ending” is not a fairy tale at all – it’s an eternal promise:

We CAN all be Snow White….

I hear the Savior say, Thy strength indeed is small! Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all Jesus paid it all All to Him I owe Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow Lord, now indeed I find Thy power, and Thine alone, Can change the leper's spots And melt the heart of stone Jesus paid it all All to Him I owe Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow For nothing good have I Where-by Thy grace to claim I'll wash my garments white In the blood of Calvary's Lamb Jesus paid it all All to Him I owe Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow And when before the throne I stand in Him complete Jesus died my soul to save My lips shall still repeat Jesus paid it all All to Him I owe Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow Jesus paid it all All to Him I owe Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow (Jesus Paid it All) Note: comment/updated info on this song from "Terry" below: