Watch Beastly

Beastly is a 2011 romantic fantasy film that tells the story of Kyle Kingson, a vain and arrogant high school student who has everything - good looks, wealth, and popularity among his peers. However, his beauty obsession and cruel behavior towards others trigger a witch's curse, transforming him into a beastly creature. In order to break the spell, Kyle must find someone to love him in his new form within one year or remain a monster forever.

Alex Pettyfer plays the role of Kyle, a character that is initially presented as an unlikable bully. Despite his good looks, Kyle's arrogance and contempt for his less attractive peers make him unpopular among his classmates. Kyle's behavior is the result of an unhappy childhood where he was emotionally neglected by his father, a successful journalist who pays little attention to his son's needs.

The film takes us through Kyle's transformation from a vain and unfeeling teenager to a compassionate and empathetic person. As he spends more time with his housekeeper Zola (Lisa Gay Hamilton) and his blind tutor Will (Neil Patrick Harris), he develops a deeper understanding of what it feels like to be marginalised and excluded from society. The two mentors, who become Kyle's only friends, help him to see beyond the surface and accept people for who they are, instead of judging them based on their appearance.

As Kyle finds himself unable to break the curse on his own, he begins to wonder if anyone would ever love him in his new, monstrous form. While attending a school dance, he meets Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens), a fellow student who is unfamiliar with his past or his current appearance. Kyle is immediately drawn to Lindy's kind and sincere nature, despite her initial resistance to his advances.

Throughout the film, Kyle tries to win Lindy's heart, first by using his wealth to protect her from an abusive ex-boyfriend and then by showing her his softer side. As their friendship deepens, Lindy begins to see the good in Kyle, and their relationship provides him with hope that he may break the curse and regain his former appearance.

Mary-Kate Olsen plays the role of Kendra, the witch who curses Kyle after he humiliates her in front of his classmates. Kendra reappears throughout the film, often as a sinister presence lurking in the shadows, and reminds Kyle of the terms of his curse. Olsen delivers a creepy and unsettling performance as a character who is both menacing and pitiable.

The film's visuals are impressive, with incredible makeup and special effects used to transform Alex Pettyfer into a monstrous creature. The film's setting in modern-day New York City is also well utilised, with notable locations such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Beastly is an enchanting modern retelling of the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast. With solid performances by its lead actors and a poignant message about the importance of looking beyond appearances, the film succeeds in engaging its audience and reminding us that true beauty comes from within. Whether you're a fan of romantic comedies or fairytales, Beastly is a must-see film that will leave you feeling moved and entertained.

Beastly is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 40.