The first time I watched Tangled, it was a rainy afternoon. It was during my teenage years and the movie really struck a chord with me. I lay on my back on the carpet, paying full attention to what was going on. In that moment, the room was filled with the familiar sound of Disney classics that I loved so much & had seen over & over again but there was no other like this one!. I experienced some kind of link within myself as I saw the long golden hair of Rapunzel covering the screen. The animation was lively and enchanting, and all of a sudden this film was more than just a way to pass the time; it felt personal.
Right from the start, Tangled was seen as a completely unique movie. From the very beginning, it had a humor that made me burst out laughing, even years after my first viewing!. Flynn Rider’s sly grin and sarcastic comments really amused me - for instance when he mockingly quarrels with the royal guard over his identity or he is seen to be in fear at some point in time while at the tavern!. Up to date, I cannot help giggling at Pascal’s scared face struggling with push-ups on top of Flynn’s swinging arm amidst the surrounding bedlam. These laughs felt like a much-needed escape from real-life drama. The film was full of moments that made me genuinely laugh, which felt cathartic in the midst of all the fairy-tale drama.
However, what captivated me the most was the story of Rapunzel. It is because for such a long time she was in the prison-kind of stage whereby she desired to have some space for herself out there & before her freedom, as well as an opportunity for getting this also came with a ‘secret’ plan that closely linked to my personal desires!. The moment she saw the lights and sang “When Will My Life Begin,” I kept on thinking that it was supposed to be me. I identified with her fearless curiosity and optimism. Like Rapunzel, I felt enclosed by societal norms & duties, questioning whether there was more than met my eyes in life!. Seeing how determined she was to escape from the tower reminded me of those times when I felt like giving up or being hesitant about something - it encouraged me to overcome all these obstacles and follow my dreams.
The music of Tangled will always be special to me. Even up to date, I still shiver at the lantern part whereby Rapunzel and Flynn are singing together in a small boat on “I See the Light” because it feels like I am in the process of discovering some magic! The rise of the lanterns accompanied by the swelling orchestra never fails to take my breath away. This song was full of hope & curiosity just like me at that time; I still hear this melody and remember how it made me feel so nervous as a teenager.
The core message in Tangled revolves around family and identity. For example, every moment when Rapunzel sees the King and Queen hugging her makes me very emotional!. This is because it reflects the human need for understanding one’s place in the social system as well as the reasons behind such issues. It takes me back to my teenage days when I first experienced who I really am & how important such films were during that time. Gothel, who is Rapunzel’s fake mother, symbolized to me all nonsensical regulations that I could never comprehend at home while on the other hand, with regard to Rapunzel’s real parents I learned about some kind of parental care which involves looking on someone lovingly!. As she reunites with her relatives at last, it strikes a chord with me too, and brings tears of joy into my eyes.
Resilience is also evident in every part of the story of Tangled. For many years, Rapunzel has gone through being alone and experiencing lots of fear, still she is gentle and hopeful. At the beginning Flynn Rider is pessimistic but he ends up being ready to invest all his resources just for protecting Rapunzel’s safety. Their unity in strength reminded me of my own tough times. When I was in high school & unsure about what lay ahead, I saw a reflection of myself on how timidly she acted back then but with the courage that rapunzel had portrayed it made me overcome any fears or doubts that tormented me then!. It was a reminder that there really was no escape route for me within those difficult moments since everything seemed too much.
In my opinion, Tangled is like that good old pal who one can visit whenever. The film educated me on various issues including freedom, identity, family, and most importantly being strong because there was something about it that resonated with me as an individual back then!. I am often reminded by Rapunzel’s brave inquisitiveness to follow my dreams just like she does & would see in Flynn a lesson on what real love or friendship should be like. To this day every part of it takes me back to the carefree times - from the humor that warms my heart and the scene with lanterns which still makes me emotional to the epic “I see the light”! For me this is not just another fairy tale produced by Disney; rather, it forms part and parcel of my life experience. Even now I consider Tangled as something more than special - it is a piece of sentimental value from days gone by.
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