The original was exactly like that; the Beast had originally been cruel and mean but handsome, and had been turned into a beast to reflect his inner nature, but over time had learned to be nice - but to break the curse he had to make someone fall in love with him for his now-changed personality, despite his looks. Whereas Disney has the Beast being *still* cruel and mean, and Belle changing him, thus following the bad-boys-will-change-if-you-wait-for-them story. Eugh.