A Kind Heart in a Harsh World

A Little Princess Review

The whimsical 1995 film directed by Alfonso Cuaron isn’t set during Christmas, but it captures the holiday spirit with its hopeful, compassionate message. A few months back, I wrote a review on the 1993 film The Secret Garden, which was also adapted from a Frances Hodgson Burnett novel. Both stories revolve around wealthy little girls who grew up in British-occupied India, but A Little Princess is a fairy tale, whereas The Secret Garden is a family drama. Sara Crewe is the quintessential ‘storybook heroine.’ She is kind, generous, helpful, and enthusiastic thanks to her happy upbringing and loving father.

Collage made with Canva Pro

The movie begins with Sara recounting the epic Indian myth of Prince Rama and Princess Sita, whose love is threatened by the demon king Ravana. This is a huge motif throughout the film, because it parallels her father’s story while he is off fighting in the trenches. There’s a brilliant scene that juxtaposes Ravana’s poisoned smoke with German planes dropping nerve gas. It’s a chilling moment that signals to the viewer that Prince Rama and Captain Crewe are undergoing similar trials. As Sara gets further along in the story, we notice how her confinement in the attic is similar to Princess Sita’s imprisonment in the tower.

Princess Sita and Prince Rama, played by Sara’s parents

But A Little Princess is also a Cinderella retelling. Instead of an evil stepmother, the main antagonist is the headmistress, Miss Minchin (who oddly enough, resembles the villain from the Disney cartoon). When Sara Crewe’s father is declared dead, Miss Minchin turns the former ‘princess’ of the school into a maid. She’s not allowed to talk to the other students, and is banished to the drafty attic, which she shares with fellow servant girl, Becky. Sara goes through an intense period of mourning where she can’t see any reason to smile or laugh or use her imagination. A conversation occurs between her and Becky that is absolutely heartbreaking.

Becky: “Sara, why don’t you tell your stories anymore?”

Sara: “They’re just make-believe. They don’t mean anything.”

Becky: “Oh, but they’ve always meant something to me. There were days I thought I would die until I heard you talk about the magic.”

Sara: “There is no magic, Becky.”

Like all heroines in fairy tales, her faith is being tested, and she has to prove her worth with an act of generosity. Sara does this when a little boy gives her some coins. She goes into a bakery to buy a hot cinnamon bun, but just as she’s about to bite into it, she sees a flower seller with a crying baby and two hungry children. Instead of keeping the bun for herself, she gives it to the children, who offer her a yellow rose in return. On the way home, she slips the flower through the handle of her neighbor’s door (whose son is also missing and presumed dead). Mr. Randolph’s Indian companion, Ram Dass, witnesses the kind gesture and takes on the role of her ‘fairy godfather.’ With a bit of magic – and some divine intervention from the universe – Sara does find her happy ending.

The benevolent Ram Dass, who helps Sara and Captain Crewe

But before that can happen, she has an intense show-down with Miss Minchin. It’s the first time she stands up for herself, and it’s one of the most powerful scenes in the entire film.

Miss Minchin: “It’s time you learn, Sara Crewe, that real life has nothing to do with your little fantasy games! It’s a cruel, nasty world out there, and it’s our duty to make the best of it. Not to indulge in ridiculous dreams, but to be productive and useful! Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Sara: “Yes, ma’am. But I don’t believe in it.”

Miss Minchin: “Don’t tell me you still fancy yourself a princess? Good God, child, look around you! Or better yet, look in the mirror!”

Sara: “I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags. Even if they aren’t pretty or smart or young. They’re still princesses. All of us. Didn’t your father ever tell you that? Didn’t he?”

The headmistress dissolves into tears as she leaves the attic, implying to the viewer that her father never called her a princess. We can only surmise that he was either abusive or absent from her life. Eleanor Bron’s acting was so spectacular here that I truly felt sorry for her. After all, it’s hard not to become jaded and beaten down the older we get. Because Miss Minchin is right about one thing: the world can be a cruel, nasty place, yet it’s also filled with wonder and compassion. Choosing hope and kindness over despair and bitterness is how we avoid becoming like Miss Minchin.

The fairy tale breakfast scene

The most magical moment occurs when Sara and Becky wake to find the dreary attic transformed into an Indian palace. Vibrant orange draperies hang upon the walls, forming an elaborate tent. The threadbare blankets have been replaced with sumptuous silk bedding. They even have quilted robes and fancy gold slippers to stave off the morning chill. But the most important gift that Ram Dass has given them is a delicious breakfast feast. The scene is so lush that I can almost smell the sizzling sausages, fragrant incense, and fresh-cut flowers.

Alfonso Cuaron takes a page out of Sara’s book and imagines a different ending from the original novel. In his version, Captain Crewe takes Sara and Becky back to India – where they will undoubtedly live happily ever after. It’s a satisfying conclusion to a truly wonderful story.

And now I’ll leave you with the iconic snowflake scene when Sara starts believing in magic again. The song “Kindle my Heart” was performed by Patrick Doyle’s daughter, Abigail. You can also listen to the beautiful soundtrack on spotify 😊

PS: Are you in the mood for more heartwarming films? Then allow me to recommend Pollyanna (1960), Little Women (1994), and The Railway Children (2000).

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