Even the Thermopolis women’s trash cans are painted. Art is everywhere!
All her mother, Helen (Caroline Goodall), wants to do is paint. She is an actual artist. We see her painting and her pieces many times throughout the movie.
When Mia (Anne Hathaway) visits her Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews) for princess lessons, she breaks the finger off of the statue. It is noticed later when a lady thinks it is “string cheese”.
There is an art to being a princess. She learns to “walk, talk, sit, stand, eat, [and] dress like a princess”. Even when Paolo (Larry Miller) makes her beautiful, she becomes a work of art. She is completely transformed into “a princess”.
My favorite art piece is when Mia and her mom to dart painting. They create this chaotic canvas of colors made by paint, balloons, and darts.
There is even an art to the way the Queen speaks. She smoothly talks her way out of a ticket from the San Francisco police.
The use of music is also emphasized. Choir practice, the band in the garage, and the orchestra at the royal ball did not have to be in the movie, but they are purposefully included. It is another representation of art.
When I think of art, I think of individuality, expressing one’s self. Mia is an interesting character who is not afraid to be herself, even when she is “invisible”. She is unique: a princess by birth even though her parents are no longer married. The art throughout this movie is reflective of her exceptionalness.
Here is analysis of this movie stating that The Princess Diaries re-enforces the stereotype of women.
Sad to say this is all I could find on the internet about this movie. I couldn’t find much analysis of the books either. Unfortunate.
Thanks for reading!