The film was directed by Bill Condon, and screenwriters Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos did a brilliant job on the screenplay, thus bringing the film to life.
Watson’s performance in the film is raw, moving and enchanting, and she sings the classic songs beautifully, all while giving her own spin on them. Her lead vocals include “Belle,” “How Does a Moment Last Forever (Montmartre)” and “Something There.” Her acting is equal in excellence to Julie Andrews’ portrayal of Mary Poppins in the 1964 film, as well as Amy Adams in Enchanted.
The Verdict
Overall, Beauty and the Beast garners five out of five stars. It is more than a “tale as old as time.” While this journalist’s generation will remember Watson as Hermione in the Harry Potter series, she will always be “Belle” for the younger generation of Disney fans. It is no wonder that this film has been smashing box office records since it opened in theaters across the world. Simply put, Watson was transformative in the lead role, and she deserves a Golden Globe nomination for “Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy,” at the very least.
