MovieChat Forums > The Princess and the Frog (2009) Discussion > The white sidekick being more popular th...

The white sidekick being more popular than the black heroine

posted 12 years ago by haterslooveme
30 replies | jump to latest

How very sad. Even in a Disney movie you cannot escape racism and white privilege. I could not agree more with this confession:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/aac49a7f1defdd5bf43e370bf05e0617/tumblr_mfz gd6FMiy1r1uuc8o1_500.png

Especially these comments about it-

I think it’s extremely telling that she’s arguably the most popular character from that film… a film whose black female protagonist spent all of about ten minutes on screen in human form. She wasn’t even a necessary character. There weren’t very many characters in the film who were, if we’re being honest. But out of all of the characters in the film, Lottie is the one people in the Disney fandom seem most fond of. I can’t say I’m surprised by that, just really saddened. Of course, I did think up a nice sequel idea that could possibly redeem the character a la Anastasia in the Cinderella sequels, but I digress... Lottie is grating as a character.

PATF has so many issues, though, and I often feel like I’m fighting a losing fight when I try to defend it but the movie does mean quite a lot to me and even if fans of Tiana are few and far between, she’s one of my top three favorite Disney Princesses.

I didn’t like Charlotte either, because I feel as though Disney felt they had to throw in a Disney Princess Type (white, heart of gold, etc.) in order to make the movie work, which was really annoying. She got so much screen time, most of it when she wasn’t with Tiana, something that no other DIsney sidekick gets. I realize that in that aspect she’s important to the plot, but she’s nothing more than a White Savior. I understand they were trying to go for a friendship thing, showing a support system of women, which is rare in like 98% of movies anyway, but it just wasn’t working at all. I didn’t see Charlotte as malicious in her own way, but the essence of her character was detrimental to Tiana. Her whole friendship was based around keeping Tiana in her proper “place,” class-wise, and “giving” Naveen to Tiana. Change a scene or two, this movie could have easily been about our special fairy princess Charlotte and her perfection.

[–] haterslooveme 11 years ago

Ohh I seem to have hurt some white feelings in this thread... lol.

[–] Noufa 11 years ago

At best, Charlotte was supposed to be a mildly grating Goofus to Tiana's Gallant in a moral play about work ethic. Less generously, she was meant as an object of scorn & a subtle allusion to white privilege.

But her hyper, outgoing, unfiltered personality is pretty darn charming. Sometimes artists lose control of their message & a work of art takes on a new meaning for the audience. I kind of love it when this happens.

[–] dwellman21 10 years ago

No.

And this always happens when you pair up a hyper-active character made of pure Id with a more subdued character that's all about calm & reason. Those kind of characters can just be all about attention-grabbing fun without having to carry the plot around with 'em like the main character does. Why do you think Johnny Depp blew up after Pirates of the Caribbean despite the fact that Orlando Bloom was the one doing all the plot driving? Heck, even just staying within Disney animated films, The Genie became the break out star of Aladdin because of Robin Williams' wild & crazy performance.

And people love the *beep* out of Tiana anyways, so I don't even know where you're getting the idea that she isn't popular from.

[–] nmarks11 10 years ago

Hahahahahahahah! Oh wait, you're serious.

😅 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA 😅

[–] louiseculmer 10 years ago

Comical sidekicks often are the most popular characters. I like the wardrobe best in Beauty and the Beast for example. i suppose that means i'm prejudiced in favour of furniture.

[–] jaynemanfieldscar 9 years ago

^LOL

That's wrong with you, you should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how

[–] habakuktwofour 9 years ago

I'm actually black and I hate to say I like the gator and that firefly. This movie was funny as heck and the music was great. The witch craft bothered me some but it's Disney and Maleficent had some pretty knarly spells.

[–] jacgvn 9 years ago

Louis and Ray were my favorite by far!! I liked Lottie more than Tiana only cause I thought she was funnier. I LOVED Mama Odie!!!

[–] desertgaara1995 8 years ago

I think it was because Charlotte was actually more likable than Tiana. Charlotte was easy going and funny. Tiana was too serious and cynical. I can imagine little kids relating to Charlotte more.