Plot:
Pocahontas, filmed in 1995, is based on a real story in the 17th Century when British sailed to America to explore the new world. Pocahontas, the Indian princess, instead of marrying the man who her father wants her to marry, she falls in love with one of the settler, Captain John Smith. She helps to stop a fight between her people and the British, and saves Smith from being executed by his father. By standing in front of these two groups and being ready to make sacrifice, she makes her people and the British know that love and forgiveness is the best resort to resolve conflicts. However in the end, Pocahontas chooses to stay in her land rather than leaving with Smith, for it is her own choice.
Apart from love, racial and political issues are also involved in this film; through the eye of Pocahontas, you can see how people on the land of America stand up against the intrusion of British settlers. And beauty does not only refer to white and pretty girls like Snow White, but to someone like Princess Pocahontas who thinks for her people, protects everyone from conflicts, teaches others to respect nature, and in the end weighs the importance, choosing to stay on her land rather than being with her “prince”. How independent this princess is!
Comment:
There you can see after 1980s, though love is still an important part of films, the princess become more independent and free, they have and try to follow their own thoughts. Like Ariel from 1989, and Belle from 1991, they are not imprisoned by the path their parents choose for them anymore. They break traditions, like Ariel falls in love with a human, Belle with a beast, and Pocahontas with a white British man. And what finally works things out, solves the problem, is always love. During this period, female images do not just long for love, but they also realize their purpose of life. Love is more like something to be gained during their finding of life’s meaning and to help them accomplish their values.