Quasimodo, palatable fare that follows a formula
By Parvathi Nayar Narayan
JAKARTA (JP): The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Disney's animated offering for the summer needs little introduction. As the title indicates, it is based on the famous Victor Hugo novel that tells the tale of the deformed hunchback Quasimodo, bell-ringer of the Notre Dame. His doomed love for the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda makes for a toweringly tragic piece, embedded in which is strong subtext about church corruption in France in the 15th Century.
(Definite potential for high drama -- there have been around nine screen versions of Quasimodo before the animated version -- but possibly not very high on the list of blockbustin' family fare material).
So while Quasimodo is drawn as a deformed hunchback true to Victor Hugo's creation, he's also played cutely with the boyish voice of Tom Hulce that breaks into Alan Menken song). Even if the story isn't rewritten to allow frog prince-like transitions, it's still not all doom and gloom for Quasi as he discovers Inner Beauty; even if he isn't allowed to get the girl, he is allowed to acquire something of a fan following.
Esmeralda is certainly the spunkiest Disney heroine yet. Her voice is that of Demi Moore, on whom she is modeled physically as well, and sung by Heidi Mollenhauer. Esmeralda is not just a babe, but brave and feisty, and a mean dancer to boot (comparisons to alter ego Moore's upcoming gyrations in Striptease are inevitable). It's no wonder that the villain of the piece, evil Judge Claude Frollo, can't quite get her out of his mind, even while his life's mission is to rid the town of gypsies.
Which leads to the film's controversial scene, apparently toned down in the released version, of Frollo envisioning Esmeralda dancing seductively amidst the flames. The Judge wrestles between the options that he sees as his duty to mete out to her -- she is either to be consigned to the flames of Hell and eternal damnation, or offered salvation in the shape of his lust ridden self. And all the while he calls for mercy on his immortal soul, seeing no irony in the same.
The lyricist Stephen Schwartz defended the scene, saying, "...it really pushes the boundaries of animation in terms of psychological complexity, subtext and adult connotations." What sense it'll make to the average seven year old is another matter altogether. Or maybe the average seven year old will have a thing or two to teach us?
The counterpoint to Frollo's male meanness is the improbably named Phoebus (yes, Phoebus) who falls in love with Esmeralda. Though macho-hunk in appearance he has a note of self deprecating humor provided by his "voice", Kevin Kline. He gets away with lines like "Heel, Achilles!" -- to his horse -- and apart from the odd obligatory bit of swashbuckling, is quite content to let Esmeralda take center stage.
Hunchback has some rather unusual additions to the usual Disney diet -- more religion but a lot more sex as well. The music itself is somewhere between, and a combination of, church bells, choral chanting and a Broadway show.
The quality of animation is superb, easily some of the best ever seen. The rendering of the Cathedral of Notre Dame with its soaring Gothic architecture, stained glass windows and gargoyles is very atmospheric. Reports say that over a hundred European animators and layout artists were hired to capture both the period and the place with authenticity, skill -- and wit. Victor, Hugo and Laverne, animated gargoyles who provide the burlesque and entertainingly at that, for instance, are obviously derived from the sculptural decoration of the Notre Dame.
But ultimately, one feels the dreaded smack of formulas -- replace Simba with Quasi, meercat and wildebeest with gargoyles, retain the themes of self discovery, a love story, and a round of ritual cleansing by fire -- and, hey, you have The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose? Not quite, for The Lion King this just ain't. While The Lion King tugs powerfully at heart-strings and demands repeat visits from old and young alike, Hunchback is mostly just an afternoon's entertainment.