As a disclaimer, if you haven’t seen "The Princess Diaries," then you are missing out on a fantastic classic movie. The film is about a teenage girl named Mia Thermopolis, whose full name is actually really long! She is just like any other girl. She goes to school, rides her bike, has close friends, loves to listen to rock music, is awkward and shy. The catch is, she is also an actual princess; you know the ones who get to wear an actual crown, go to balls in a glamorous gown and get to make a difference in their country? This revelation shocked Mia more than anyone else. Even though she didn’t want to be a princess at first, she eventually realized what being a princess really means. Mia was just a normal teenager and there are a few reasons why I identify with the character of Mia Thermopolis.
1. She is extremely awkward and embraces it.
Do you remember the scene where she technically barfed in front of her class while trying to present a speech? Or when a guy actually sat on her? Well, that is me. While I never had someone sit on me, I did have someone pat me on the head, but that’s an article for another time. Like Mia, I was literally terrified of public speaking. I remember getting butterflies in my stomach and my palms would get sweaty as I realized it was getting closer for me to present. Also like Mia, with her final speech about accepting the crown, I started to make jokes or be obviously witty at the beginning of a speech to calm me. Mia showed me that practice and speaking from the heart really helps to give a speech.
2. Her hair breaks hairbrushes.
This one is definitely me. Do you remember the scene where she was getting her makeover and Pablo said she had thick hair like a wolf? That scene describes my hair without a question. I felt for Mia in that scene. My hair has actually broken many of my mom’s favorite combs!! I also identified with her when her hair was straight. Mia couldn’t stop touching it and I couldn’t stop touching my hair when it was pressed out. I remember the scene where she hid her straight hair under a gray hat because she was too afraid of blending in and looking like all the other girls in school. She soon realized that it didn’t have to be that way. She could see her straight hair as just trying something new.
3. She found her voice.
Like Mia, I know that finding your voice and speaking up is hard to do. It feels really good when you do find your voice though. I loved the scene where Mia splattered ice cream all over Lana’s cheerleading uniform. When she finally stood up to Lana and told her that she would never stop being a jerk, Mia found some new confidence that she never had before and from then on, she never looked back.
I found so many other ways in which I identify with the character of Mia Thermopolis! Do you have a favorite movie character that you identify with?
