We all grew up with the charming, but naughty wooden puppet of the 40s, Pinocchio. Disney’s version featured a few surreal elements, such as a growing nose when the puppet lied, or a child’s dreamland where rules did not exist—that is until the naughtiest children are turned into donkeys.
Archimedes’ telling of Pinocchio focuses less on his growing nose, and more on the magic, luck and uncountable chances the child puppet has. Pinocchio is told not to do things and often disregards warnings which results in him getting into serious peril. Many times, the puppet would have died if it was not for his fairy giving him chance after chance.
Finally, as he sees his fairy age, he learns that he realises he is a puppet with no prospect and wants to become a real boy. The fairy guides him, but he is influenced by a local boy and runs to the dreamland where he becomes a donkey. Again, he is given pardon and it is only when his father falls ill that he truly learns what it means to be responsible and good.
Similarly, to the live action Disney productions that have come out recently, I was expecting Pinocchio to be just the same. I’m not sure if it was because this film was made by an independent studio, but I have to be honest and say I really didn’t like it. I am glad I went to watch it out of curiosity because it wasn’t made by Disney, but I found that it had no meaning and very little concept.
The Life of Sophie 