While The Little Mermaid has been a big hit financially, but not everyone who went and saw the film during the four-day holiday weekend walked away satisfied. British singer Paloma Faith was among those in attendance, and taking to her Instagram Stories, she shared her thoughts on the film after a viewing with her children. Faith offered praise to leads star Halle Bailey for her performance as Ariel, but beyond that, the singer wasn’t happy with the film because of the message that she feels that it sends to the young girls who watch it.
Per TMZ, Faith’s message stated, “Just seen the new Little Mermaid with my kids and while I think Halle gives a good performance and it’s great casting, as a mother of girls I don’t want my kids to think it’s ok to give up your entire voice and your powers to love a man. Wtf is this sh*t? Not what I want to be teaching next gen women at all.”
Faith is referring to Ariel giving up her “entire voice” along with the special abilities she had as a mermaid so she could pursue a new life with Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) on land. It’s worth noting that this is not something that has been changed from the original version, though perhaps much big changes to that part of the story was what Faith was hoping for. From her own vantage point, however, Halle Bailey feels that the remake handled that much better than the original animated film.
“I’m really excited for my version of the film because we’ve definitely changed that perspective of just her wanting to leave the ocean for a boy,” Bailey told Edition in March. “It’s way bigger than that. It’s about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life and what she wants.”
She added, “As women we are amazing, we are independent, we are modern, we are everything and above. And I’m glad that Disney is updating some of those themes.”
Maybe You Just Can’t Please Everyone
Perhaps there’s just no pleasing everybody, so Bailey and the cast and crew of The Little Mermaid can be happy to know that most filmgoers are enjoying the movie. It was given a grade of A at CinemaScore, which quizzes filmgoers on their opinion about a movie upon its release. Bailey certainly seems to be pretty thrilled with the success, going by her reaction on social media.
The Little Mermaid is now playing in movie theaters. Directed by Rob Marshall and written by David Magee, the film stars Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Javier Bardem, Melissa McCarthy, Noma Dumezweni, Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina. You can watch the official trailer for the live-action remake below, courtesy of Disney.
