2 years ago

So what was the message you took from this?

2 years ago

@trek42 that immigrants are not criminals, rapist, drug dealers and murderers

2 years ago

@trek42 I believe the message is about family and community. [spoiler]The film tells the story of what happens when the members of this magical family are only valued by their gifts: at least one is crushed by the responsibility, one becomes an outcast because his gift is misunderstood by everyone including his family, and yet another is put aside for having no magical gift. The stakes are high because the family’s standing in the community relies largely on the contribution of their fabled magical powers. When the family loses sight of the reason why the miracle was granted in the first place the magic starts to fade. The magical house comes crumbling down, before the giftless granddaughter manages to bring the family together and save the day by restoring the miracle.[/spoiler]. It tells me that whatever your talents and successes, you partly owe them to the family/community that reared and nurtured you; and that if you forget that you risk neglecting your very foundations. Moreover, that you are not defined by what you can do, but rather by the choices you make. And that people that are apparently powerless can be the heroes we need, by bringing people together and supporting everyone in the process.

2 years ago

@daniela-g "I feel like a little more explanation was needed as to why Mirabel could not receive the miracle when she was a child and the specific reason why Casita was cracking."<br /> I think they did explain it. [spoiler]The Gifts were given by/through abuela, not the candle. Mirabel didn't get one because abuela was too afraid/anxious about the future of the encanto. Same reason for Casita cracking.[/spoiler]

2 years ago

@daniela-g The reason of Casita was cracking, was quite simple in my head. [spoiler]The Candle gave the miracle to Encanto, so they can live in harmony and love each other. When Mirabel was envy of her sister and "hated" her for her perfect life, The vision shows both hugging and getting along together. When it happens, Casita is good! what happens next? Mirabel argues with her grandmother, and the harmony is broken such as Casita.[/spoiler]

2 years ago

@derekge I saw it more as an immigrant story, and the traumas that run in a family after leaving their home behind... not necesarily by choice. How the head of the family, in these situations, can go into a toxic mode that just seems to push everyone to "have a better life than I did" but might push way too hard and overcorrect, which is the theme of the oruguitas song (don't hold on too tight and the fear of change and what's different).<br /> <br /> The family was being torn appart by the unsustainable presures from grandma to always be perfect, magical, and useful. In that sense, the story was complete for me.<br /> <br /> There are a lot of mental health issues being portrayed in the family too:<br /> <br /> Trauma and PTSD on the Grandma<br /> Anxiety and a bit of bipolarity on the aunt<br /> OCD and Autism or maybe Tourettes (ticks) being pushed away from the family for not communicating well<br /> The preasure to be strong and perfect respectively on the sisters<br /> Pushing Mirabel aside for not being "special"

2 years ago

@gazoo69 That's a very interesting view, but I do agree with Derek that the movie doesn't convey these problems in an efficent way.

2 years ago

@saint-pauly My thoughts exactly when I came out of the cinema: where was the conflict? This movie could have used an old fashion bad guy.<br /> I also liked almost every songs, very nice and catchy and visually beautiful.

2 years ago

@lepricano The conflict is in being [spoiler]the black sheep of the family until the end of the movie and progressively gaining the trust of every family member, lol. You don't need an evil final boss at any cost, this is a movie about family[/spoiler]

2 years ago

@drev yes, I agree with you. I've probably written under another comment after this one.<br /> But the second half of the movie is still not working for me.