A Father’s Perspective on Disney’s ‘Brave’
By Dave DiNuzzo, Director of Programming for The King’s Men
Opening weekends for movies typically come and go without my family; we almost never go to the theater. We like watching classics at home with our kids. However, this past weekend was the opening of Disney’s latest “princess masterpiece” called “Brave.” Our young daughters were allowed to pick a prize once they completed their various lessons in home-school and this was what my middle daughter chose, a “Daddy-Daughter Date” at the movies.
One major theme (among many) stuck out to me; the theme of fatherly love. The star of the movie is Merida, a young Scottish princess. Merida is very independent, capable, intelligent, witty, and has a very fun-loving, open, and honest relationship with her father. I desire my daughters to possess all of these characteristics and strive for them to know that I love them. The problem arises when Merida butts heads with her mother about the arranged marriage that has been set up for her. When Merida learns of the plans for her arrangement, she quickly flees and problems ensue.
This theme of fatherly love speaks to me, as I have young, impressionable daughters who are coming into the age of formation. Their well-being, formation, and protection are constantly on my mind. What might prevent such a rebellious response in my daughters, typical of Disney princesses? I believe the answer lies in understanding our relationship with our Heavenly Father, correlated to that of our relationship with our earthly fathers. If our children truly understand that God our Father wants us, loves us, that He does everything for us, and that He wants only what is good and right for us, then they will better understand how to respond to that love. Merida’s father didn’t communicate with her effectively and she obviously didn’t realize his love properly. Pride got in the way but virtue (in this case, Bravery) won out. I pray I never allow my pride, or that of my children, to get in the way of our relationships with God the Father.
A tagline I tell my daughters… “You deserve the best, because you are a princess, the daughter of The King.”
For more information about The King’s Men, visit us on the web at www.TheKingsMen.org.
