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A review by day_fisher
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo
dark
emotional
slow-paced
3.5
I never understood why Disney thought this would be a selling kids movie. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is such a potent story with intense counterculture themes calling out the evils of men who claim to be a savior but yet know nothing of kindness. I see why this book is studied as a commentary on society.
Hugo's characters are so well thought out. Jesus got it right when he said blessed are the meek - Quasimodo is a tread down man, mocked for his disability but the most humble and kind character. However he does not get enough screen time to warrant being the title character. Next, Esmerelda must have been a very beautiful girl (note I say girl as she was only 16) to have three men chase after her and I wished we could hear more of her perspective. Hugo's story is truly depressing and his description of Frollo really gave me the chills - he's such a creep! And Phoebus gives me Narcissus vibes (despite being named after another Greek), just a hyper sexualized pretty boy creep. Both are walking red flags cloaking themselves in societally praised roles.
Overall, The Hunchback of Notre Dame has excellent characters and a great commentary BUT was so ridiculously hard to get into that I almost gave up many times. 3.5 ⭐
Hugo's characters are so well thought out. Jesus got it right when he said blessed are the meek - Quasimodo is a tread down man, mocked for his disability but the most humble and kind character. However he does not get enough screen time to warrant being the title character. Next, Esmerelda must have been a very beautiful girl (note I say girl as she was only 16) to have three men chase after her and I wished we could hear more of her perspective. Hugo's story is truly depressing and his description of Frollo really gave me the chills - he's such a creep! And Phoebus gives me Narcissus vibes (despite being named after another Greek), just a hyper sexualized pretty boy creep. Both are walking red flags cloaking themselves in societally praised roles.
Overall, The Hunchback of Notre Dame has excellent characters and a great commentary BUT was so ridiculously hard to get into that I almost gave up many times. 3.5 ⭐