Georgia J

If you are feeling down in the dumps, this sentimental yet sincere adaptation of the 1991 Disney animation is perfect to cheer you up. Emma Watson is cast as the beautiful yet boisterous Belle who falls in love rather quickly with a not so beastly Beast after replacing her father (Kevin Kline) in the castle jail-punishment for stealing a single red rose. The viewer is grateful that the sentiment never becomes sickly, thanks to the likeable leads and a very strong supporating cast concealed among an array of crockery including Ewan McGregor as the charismatic Candlestick who sing and dance with pleasing aplomb. Certainly this is a young persons film but adults will find themselves charmed despite themselves smiling wryly as the predictable but pleasing plot unfolds.