WHY DUMBO IS THE PERFECT MOVIE FOR WHEN YOU NEED A GOOD CRY
By Oh My Disney
We dare you not to tear when the “Baby Mine” scene comes on screen. We dare you!
“The very things that held you down are gonna carry you up and up and up!” – Timothy Mouse
Looking for the perfect movie with just the right blend of catchy tunes, nostalgia and touching moments? Well, your search is over! This month, we are looking at one movie about the shy little circus elephant who never fails to pull at our heartstrings – Dumbo! The uplifting tale of an underdog baby elephant overcoming all odds to find his way back to the warm embrace of his mother will definitely send you on a trip you down memory lane.
As a lifelong Dumbo fan, I have probably seen this movie a hundred times over, yet it still puts a big smile on my face every time. From the instant Dumbo is unveiled in Mr. Stork’s bundle, I was captivated. Our adorable blue-eyed protagonist had captured my heart with his sheepish gaze, clumsy waddle and, most of all, his oversized floppy ears!
We follow little Dumbo into a world that mocks him for being different. After a particularly heart-wrenching scene where – spoiler alert – Dumbo is separated from his mother, it seems that he has to learn how to fend for himself. Thankfully, he meets Timothy Q. Mouse, a hardy and righteous mouse who acts as Dumbo’s trusty confidant, mentor and protector.
It is quite an amazing feat for the film to be able to convey the strong bond between mother and child despite their lack of dialogue (Mrs. Jumbo only had one line in the entire hour-long movie!) A perfect example of this is the “Baby Mine” scene, where a beaten-down Dumbo seeks solace in his mother’s embrace. Mrs. Jumbo comforts her child with love and tenderness, even though she is kept in a cage. At once beautiful and heartbreaking, this scene is sure to reduce you into a blubbering, sobbing mess. I dare you not to get teary-eyed!
In some sense, Timothy also serves as a family figure for Dumbo when he was lacking one. We see this when Dumbo adorably holds on to Timothy’s tail for comfort as the mouse gives him a pep talk. It’s really sweet in its own way. Together, they set out to overcome the naysayers by searching for a signature act that will elevate him to soaring heights. Timothy is that big brother we all want to have.
Of course, watching Dumbo struggle through most of the film makes it all the more satisfying when he finally – and quite literally – soars into the sky. So, if you are looking for a classic to lift your spirits up, hold on to your magic feather and put on Dumbo! (Fun fact: Dumbo celebrates its 77th anniversary this month!)
