What my daughter said that blew my mind

I watched Maleficent (the first one) with my daughters yesterday on their very last day of "school."  They haven't been as exposed to many movies with more complicated characters and so I was curious to see how they reacted to Angelina Jolie's character not being totally good or totally evil. (For the record, I love Angelina Jolie and you will never ever convince me that Alicia Vikander was a better Lara Croft than Angelina. Don't come at me with that non-sense.)  Most of the movies they have watched have flat characters (good/ bad) and the plot line always ends with triumph over evil.  Maleficent is a bit different.  During the beginning of the movie, the girls kept asking me if she was good or evil.  They really needed to place her in a certain file in their brain. I understand this.  It makes people easier to understand when there are only two options. 

Photo courtesy of brand

But Maleficent is neither.  She is hurting.  She is open.  She is betrayed.  She is alone. She is kind. She is angry.  She's finding redemption. 

At the end of the movie, after they see how Maleficent both saved Aurora and wreaked serious havoc on the kingdom, I asked the twins what they thought of her character. 

Without skipping a beat, Ella who is 8 years old says, "Well, Maleficent is hurting and grieving because she was treated unfairly.  Everybody grieves differently and that is okay.  Maleficent just needed a little anger. It was the only way they would listen to her grief."  

DAMN.

Everybody grieves differently and that is okay.  Sometimes you need a little anger.

It is the only way they will listen to your grief. 

With love for those of you grieving,

Celeste