Fix Up these Fixer-Uppers

When Kristoff brings Anna to the trolls, they think the pair are a romantic couple, and the two deny being one. The trolls sing “Fixer Upper,” in which they ask Anna what is turning her off from dating Kristoff and list his major flaws. Even though Kristoff protests that Anna is engaged to someone else, the trolls go ahead and try to marry them, which completely baffles the couple.

Now while this is meant to be another romantic song about the man opposite Anna, it is the complete antithesis of “Love Is An Open Door.” The latter song is perfect and in it, Hans creates an artificial image of himself by acting perfect as he forces himself towards Anna. But in “Fixer Upper,” Kristoff doesn’t push himself onto Anna (he doesn’t even sing), his family does, and by pointing out everything that is wrong with him (or so they think :)). When they hear that Anna is engaged, they think she is also a “fixer upper” who needs to get rid of her fiancé and be with Kristoff. This song is not perfect, interruptions occur, and there are numerous trolls (and Olaf) who sing during the song.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the trolls are saying that no one is perfect; everyone has their own sets of flaws, which makes them fixer uppers. But despite their flaws, a man and a woman (in this case, Kristoff and Anna) can bring out the best in each other if they share similarities and differences that can complement the other person. If they match up well in these ways, then a bond of love can and will make them stronger. The trolls can obviously sense that with Kristoff and Anna. Kristoff had claimed in previous scenes that the trolls are “love experts,” and this entire song proves it. ;)

Overall, despite the messiness of the song and the trolls naming his faults, they are trying to show Anna that this is the real deal with Kristoff. Even though he is not perfect, this is what is real and honest about him…and the real overthrows the artificial. So while Anna initially thinks she is in love with Hans, especially during and after their duet, it is clear that, at the end of “Fixer Upper,” she has started to fall for Kristoff (and he has more with her).

Interestingly enough, when Bulda tells Anna that “People make bad choices…true love brings out the best,” she is inadvertently telling Anna how to solve Elsa’s problem. Elsa made a bad choice because she was scared, and the way to solve the problem and get everyone to see Elsa’s good side was to show the act of true love. Anna’s bond with Elsa is one of familial love, and hers with Kristoff is one of romantic love. With these different bonds of love, Anna can truly bring out the best in both Kristoff and Elsa.

It’s also interesting to note that “Fixer Upper” is the last song in the film. Immediately afterwards, the film becomes more serious and dramatic, starting right when Anna grows even colder and Pabbie tells her she will die from her frozen heart unless she is involved in an act of true love. As Anna begins to succumb to the curse, Elsa is captured and taken back to Arendelle, where she is imprisoned. Then once Anna returns, Hans reveals his true nature at last self and leaves Anna to die. So when “Fixer Upper” ends with Anna growing even colder, it acts as a signal to the audience to be prepared for the more serious moments that are about to come before the movie ends.