So, as much as Disney princess movies are about love stories and happily ever afters, I love the strong underflow of friendship that is always there in each of the movies. I love seeing the characters with their friends, their true selves being revealed in best of light, wishing, dreaming, sharing heir hearts out in unapologetic honest ways. Here's my top 10 list of friendships that I find funny, endearing and rock-solid.
10. Lumiere & Cogsworth: Friends with benefits
I love their constant debates and trying to win the argument. Cogsworth, the cautious one, and Lumiere, the flamboyant gives me so many moments to laugh. Though they are always trying to make the other look stupid, I love how they get together against a common goal so quickly. Like when they wanted distract Belle from West Wing, they'll present arguments in support of each other, while when hosting her for dinner, Lumiere was all over Cogsworth in the famous "Be Our Guest". And I love their last battle of proving themselves to be better predictor when it came to Belle being the solution to their problems. They mostly seem more like arc-rivals (in a good, positive way) than being "best buddies".
9. Merida & Angus: the quiet companionship
The quiet support of Angus is endearing to watch throughout the movie. Merida can truly be herself with Angus, just sit on the hill and watch sunset or ride wild and carefree in the hidden forest trails. I loved how Angus wouldn't follow her in the deep forest leading the wisps trail, and kept nudging at her to not go. I loved how Merida took care of him and played with him and spoke her heart out after hearing the news of betrothel. The bond is very much there but I'd have loved if Angus could have been shown a little proactive as well.
8. Ariel & Flounder: Let's hang out together
The cutest friends pair ever! I love how Ariel happened to be upon Flounder, and he was so scared of her as she was the princess. I love how Ariel can be whatever she wants to be and do what she wants to do without worrying too much with Flounder. I love how Flounder is the cautious type and would warn Ariel often but as friendship goes, he'd tag along just so Ariel isn't left alone. I love the way he reacts when Ariel is expressing her views in Part of Your World and is dancing and excited to know about what she'll say next and goes sad with Ariel. I love how he tries to save her from Triton's rage, though i wouldn't lie as much. The cutest was to actually bring a gift that would mean so much to Ariel - Eric's figurine. My only concern here is that Ariel never pays attention to him, and keeps ignoring his cautious advise over and over again, and hardly ever does anything for Flounder's sake.
7. Kristoff & Sven: whole n soul partnership
The two orphaned kids got together to form a bond since childhood and has never seen a day without each other ever since. I love how they have become each other's life support and Kristoff doesn't even want to look for human companion in Sven's comfort. They'd have fun with each other, look out for each other and would support each other whenever and wherever required. It was so sweet of Sven to make Kristoff realize his love for Anna and go for her rescue. I adored watching them together.
6. Poca with Meeku & Flit: BFFs
The fun duo is a treat to watch the entire movie. They are full of tricks and keep getting in trouble. They are like a unit, always hanging out together, looking for some fun. Whether it's taking advise from Grandmother Willow, or checking out new guy in town, or flit trying to poke at John Smith for not trusting him enough. I love Meeku's silly attraction to Percy, and how he completely is bewitched with him. They add the much desired free-spirited and fun element to Poca's life. Poca also shares her concern with marrying Kocoum and takes them on adventures and makes them meet John.
5. Jasmine & Rajah: the loyalists
A true confidante, Rajah, is to Jasmine. Standing in support of Jasmine and scaring off the suitors when he senses Jasmine is through with them. I love how he senses her loneliness and feeling of being trapped. He first tries to stop Jasmine from leaving the palace and when Jasmine hugs him, only then helps her up, understanding that she should go on to do what her heart needs. He is cautious of new prince, even Aladdin until Jasmine isn't comfortable with him and is always standing loyal to Jasmine. Jasmine also showers him attention and love as much as Rajah does. It shows how Jasmine is actually very sensitive and caring person, in light of Rajah.
4. Rapunzel & Pascal: The confidantes
Another confidante to a lost princess. When you have living in a tower for all your life and played the same games over and over again with same person, it takes a special kind of bond to still go through it for that special friend. I adore Pascal for being the best buddy, a comfort in her lonely times and being such a confidante to her. And Rapunzel will also discuss with Pascal about how should she go about talking to Gothel, or should she leave the tower with stranger. He'd just indulge her in any entertainment and sit next to her when she's dreaming of her life and giving her moral support. Despite his size, he'd not shy away from trying to help Rapunzel in any way he can. I love watching them exchange those silent gestures between them, making them buddies forever.
3. Aladdin, Abu, Carpet & Genie: brought together by destiny, chosen to stay friends forever
Abu is like a right hand man to Aladdin, a partner in crime, a confidante, a true friend in need, honest and unapologetic, yet loyal. I love how they go through each day's struggle together, bonding over a piece of stolen bread, fighting off palace guards, saving each other and escaping troubles. I love how Aladdin would share his half with Abu. I find it super entertaining the way Abu is complaining and warning Aladdin to not fall for a woman coz he just don't want anyone in between them. I love how Aladdin saves Abu on the freezing hill and would listen to his fears in cave of adventures, when he stumbles upon carpet.
And what do I say about Genie - everything about their friendship can be seen in the climax when Aladdin chose to free Genie with his 3rd wish over his happiness and confessed that he'd miss him like hell. It always brings a tear or two to my eyes. Friend Like Me is such a wonderful dedication to the friendship that genie offers and I have played it several time and laughed and laughed with my own friends. It has everything - fun, emotion, bonding, trust, comfort. I love this trio of friendship.
Carpet is like one of those friends in the group who's always ready to help and gets super excited. He's also charming when he takes Jasmine hand to kiss and takes them both to a grand ride into the clouds. I love how Abu feels insecure a little in the beginning, but love how Aladdin comforts Carpet and asks him to join the club. And i just adore how Genie and Carpet says hello and would play chess together and roleplay for Aladdin. I think my own school friends group is very much like this, barring the magic, but non-stop fun and comfort of each other's company.
2. Mulan & her army friends: friendship tested by time
The friendship that formed with test of time. Mulan not only proved herself to be a worthy member of the batallion but garnered the liking and respect of Chein Po, Ling and Yao. They battled together and practiced together and dreamt together of a peaceful and loving home when they'll return back. I love how they showed their reluctance in leaving Mulan on the hill alone, after her discovery as a woman in the army. I love that they helped her in saving emperor from the final attack and trusted her. Only true friendship can stand these tests.
1. Snow & Seven Dwarfs: family friends
I simply adored their bonding, finding a stranger in house and discussing whether they should let her stay or not considering her qualities and skills as homemaker. I love how their trust and fondness for each other grows more and more with each passing day. How Snow would care for their daily needs out of genuine concern and not just wanting to keep her stay. I love how they'd sing and dance in the evening and share their meals together after hard day's work. And would be concerned for each other's safety. I love how dwarfs would take Snow's advise to improve themselves so seriously and work on it. And i can feel the pinch when dwarfs loses Snow, their greatest friend and family ever and would honor her in her death too. This is one of the most innocent of friendships that grew so strong to become a family in the end. There are only very few lucky friendships in the world that survive the test of time and become a part of your family eventually.
So what do you all think? Which is the kind of friendship that you find most endearing and which one is the kind that you have with your own friends. Would love to hear from you all, as always!
