… everyone lived happily ever after. Unfortunately, things have changed. Now ‘happily ever after’ has morphed into some awful, sad version of reality; a psychotherapists solution to ‘dealing with outcomes’. Moreover, the consequences to ‘the wish’ being granted resemble ‘maybe I was better off before’.
Why? Why must even fairy tales be tainted with the harsh ramifications of reality? Why on earth would we ever want our children to imagine, hope and dream that there can be happily ever after?
I have no answer – insert heavy sigh.
So, what is the root of this fairy tale rant?
I saw Into The Woods a few days ago. Yes, it was an amazing movie to watch on the big screen – the true definition of Hollywood in all of its cinematic glory. The singing was unparalleled, especially the kid who played Jack (the Beanstalk Jack). Though Little Red Riding Hood’s voice did annoy the shit out of me. Also, who the hell knew Chris Pine – Prince Charming – could sing. He did an incredible ‘my relationship pain/frustration is worse than yours’ number with his onscreen brother, the suitor of Rapunzel called Agony. I searched for a link, but all I found were pirated versions. I don’t support that shit – it is wrong. Before I forget Chris Pine’s Prince Charming also delivered the best line in the movie. When confronted by his new wife Cinderella about a mild flirtatious case of infidelity he promptly quipped, “I was raised to be charming, not sincere.”
Yes, that is a great line, but it was one of the main challenges to ‘happily ever after’. Come on! The dude was married for what, one day, and he’s off into the woods making out with the Baker’s Wife?
Once again – why? Why can’t he be charming and sincere. It makes us men who are both – that would be me, of course – look bad. Then the Baker’s Wife ends up falling off some cliff or something really stupid like that not having to live with what she had done. I couldn’t help but think of the Don Henley/ Bruce Hornsby song End of the Innocence.
Remember when the days were long
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky?
Didn’t have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standing by
When happily ever after fails
And we’ve been poisoned by these fairy tales
Anyway, I tried very hard to streamline my thinking for this post in an attempt to make sense of this unfortunate situation. But rereading what I’ve written, I failed – miserably at that. Also, let me qualify my rant. I’m really not that obsessed over this whole thing, just … disappointed. Personally, I still hope for happily ever after. I guess when Hollywood comes calling to make my fictitious life into a Blockbuster, I will ensure creative control.
Until that time I will close with the simple wish that is Ever, Ever After by Carrie Underwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAniOB1Ts4k
