Although Disney’s 1977 live-action/animated musical film Pete’s Dragon obviously showcases the relationship between Pete and his dragon, Elliott, I believe the more interesting bond is Pete and Nora’s. Pete is an orphaned youth who ran away from the treacherous Gogans, his adoptive family that viewed him as a piece of property rather than a person. Nora is a lighthouse keeper whom has waited over a year for her fiancé to return from his sea venture. Together, they remedy each other’s loneliness through friendship.

Once Pete narrowly evaded the Gogans’ clutches with the help of...