Encanto (2021)

 

Yes, yes, I know a lot of films get the tag of 'feel good' attached to them, but to me, most of them are okay but never manage to actually lift my spirits. So imagine my surprise when this one actually manages exactly this every bloody time. And doubly so because the story in itself is nothing special. 

Guess it actually does come down to the writing, characters and insanely catchy music. Who knew?

After the mater familias (henceforth known simply as Abuela because we love us some Spanish) has to escape persecution in Colombia and also loses her husband in the process shortly after giving birth to triplets, she actually finds a magical candle that separates her and other refugees from the world. This magic (or encanto) makes their piece of land wonderful and all the people living there are having the time of their lives mostly. Abuela's family also receives magical gifts in their enchanted house. However, one family member did not get a magical gift. This is our protagonist Mirabel, a plucky girl who does everything and anything she can for her family, yet who also often gets ignored or left behind because she does not possess any magical ability. 

Ouch.

Mirabel has resigned herself to her fate and she keeps on being the feisty (and extremely lovable) focal point of this story, but she soon begins to have visions of the enchantment fading and even breaking up the family. She of course wants to find out what she can do to repair the problem, but it gets rather hard as Abuela starts to blame her for the loss of magic. In this respect Mirabel becomes like the outcast uncle Bruno, who was shunned as his gift was visions of the future and most people could not cope with occasional negative news. 

But Mirabel is resolved to fix whatever is going on, but in doing so she finds out that her picture perfect family has a serious load of cracks in itself, which holds the key to the solution in the end... 

This film gets a lot right: the animation is spotless and the facial expressions are often enormously subtle yet extremely telling. Mirabel especially is expressive beyond belief and she is one of those protagonists anyone can root for, as she starts as the underdog yet through many trials manages to save the day in the end. #spoilers But the way this film manages to emote is staggering and keeps on getting better during repeated viewings when you can actually see the subtlety of it all. Most telling is the part where Mirabel's young cousin Antonio is about to receive his gift and he is super nervous but he still reaches out to Mirabel. Both of them know the rest of the family regards her a bit as a failure, but it is incredibly poignant. 

But there's more: the strong sister that doubts herself because she has so many responsibilities; the 'perfect' sister who also feels constant pressure... It all adds up and Mirabel is truly the only one levelheaded enough to become the focal point and eventually the successor to Abuela, yet with more humanity.

And I haven't even started about the songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda... Let's just say they are not only catchy as hell, but spot on when it comes to themes and moods. And then there's the incredible amount of colour that permeates every shot. Yes, this is one of those wonderfully colour saturated films that feel and look vibrant and alive and a little exaggerated yet always with that feeling of staying grounded, even with the magical element included.

So you see, this is truly a wonderful film with the added bonus of staying true to Hispanic/Colombian lore and running with it. The film in itself is great, but it's the countless details that make it wonderful.

So watch it. And talk about Bruno.