We Need to Talk About Encanto

For whatever reason, I didn’t really have feelings about Disney’s Encanto before I sat down to watch it. Now, I’m regularly listening to Surface Pressure and dropping the line “We don’t talk about…[insert person/place/ thing here]”.

I am not alone in this affinity, but there’s likely plenty of thinking that a cartoon doesn’t hold deep meaning. For those peeps, I’d suggest steering clear of Pixar for the time being. You need to get your feet under you before moving on to that level of storytelling.

Cartoons. Animated films. Whatever your preferred label, these are not exclusive to children. They have plenty for kids to take out of these movies, but dismissing them for adults is short-sighted.

The Madrigals certainly prove that point. To the extent that if this movie was live-action, the race for Best picture would be an animated dog fight between Power of the Dog and Encanto.

Show of hands, who has an Abuelita in their lives? Come on. There’s probably someone who fits the bill. Someone so wrapped up in their own agenda for you or the family at large that they miss the bigger picture.

Or maybe you don’t have an Abuelita, but you’ve got a gaggle of family members ready and willing to send a mountain of responsibilities your way. You might even have a Bruno. Or be a Bruno.

Representation matters. Race and gender are the two most essential ways representation must manifest, but we don’t have to stop there. We all have someone for whom nothing will ever be up to snuff. But that is a hard pill to swallow and own. Having the Madrigals drama unfold on the big screen is a big step away from the now ubiquitous Disney family structure.

This discussion is likely the bread and butter of most therapists, who are far better equipped to pull apart these family dynamics. One movie can not undo the real-life scar tissue we’ve accumulated. But, Encanto is a beacon for those struggling to be a star in a sky full of stars.

I know everyone has been speculating about Mirabel and the real reason she failed to receive a gift. I initially thought it was because she already had the power of self-possession. Still, I love the notion that she would take over for Abuelita, who also had no powers. Unless you count running roughshod over everyone’s emotions a gift.

Another point has been neglected in all of the conversations around this film. All of these Madrigals with gifts and not one of them can build a fence tough enough to keep donkeys in? I find that impossible that none could work on that, so Luisa could have one less thing to do every day. The woman needs a break. Someone get on this.

Sorry, sorry. I digress.

This is up for best animated feature this year, which probably comes as no surprise. Encanto is my favorite to take the prize even though I haven’t seen more than about ten minutes of Luca and none of the other contenders. I know. Less than a week to go, and this challenge seems doomed. But even if I do get through all the others, I doubt they’re going to have the substance, weight, and delightful spectacle of Encanto.