The Madrigal Family
For Encanto, the family’s prophecy means everything. It’s another film from Walt Disney Animation that explores the warmth of family. Directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, the film narrates the story of the Madrigal family, set in Colombia. The Madrigal family’s tale draws inspiration from various elements like music, costumes, dances, and traditions.
They reside in a mansion hidden in the Colombian mountains, precisely in Encanto, a vibrant, breathtaking, and welcoming city. Encanto worked a miracle for Abuela Alma after invaders took her husband, Pedro, during a war. Her children, Julieta, possess the power to heal various ailments through food. Bruno has the ability to foresee the future, and Pepa controls the weather with her emotions. Similarly, her grandchildren, including Dolores, Antonio, Camilo, Luisa, and Isabela, each possess their own unique strengths.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for Mirabel, the protagonist, who doesn’t possess any powers.
The Vibrant Visual and Music
For ten years, Mirabel has continued to strive to live her life passionately, even though she doesn’t possess unique talents like other family members. The story follows Mirabel’s journey as she seeks to find the strength within herself to achieve her most significant dream: to help and become a valued part of the Madrigal family.
Encanto boasts vibrant visuals complemented by beautiful music that weaves together the theme of the family prophecy. It starts with a musical experience of breathtaking beauty. The film also features a new lineup of Grammy and Emmy award-winning songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. In this 60th Walt Disney Animation film, Miranda presents eight new songs infused with the nuances of traditional Colombian music.
Moreover, the film showcases colorful Colombian visuals. In contrast to the previous film, all Madrigal family members and members of the Encanto community are dressed in vibrant, colorful costumes. Every detail moves in harmony with each character, following the rhythm as they tell the story through song.
Mirabel
With stunning Disney signature music, beautiful melodies, and relatable lyrics, Mirabel begins Encanto by introducing herself and the family prophecy to all the family members. Luisa possesses superpowers that can even move buildings, while Isabela controls flowers and possesses a charming personality. Mirabel even jokingly complains that Isabela has never had a bad hair day in her entire life. There is also Dolores, who has very sensitive hearing, and Camilo, who can transform into anyone. Lastly, there’s Antonio, who eagerly awaits the day of his miracle.
As they prepare for the big celebration and ensure that Antonio receives a unique miracle, the entire town shares in the excitement. The high expectations from various parties make the moment of revealing the miracle all the more thrilling. Antonio can only curse under his breath, fearful of disappointing his family and the eagerly waiting townspeople. Mirabel does her best to comfort him, even though she can’t help but imagine how everyone must be disappointed that she didn’t receive such a miracle.
The Likable Characters
Everyone rejoices when Antonio receives his miracle. He becomes an animal conqueror, with snakes and tigers bowing to him. Just like his brothers and sisters, his bedroom door opens to reveal a room filled with all kinds of animals, much like Isabela’s room, which is filled with flowers.
However, in the midst of the celebration, Mirabel, feeling isolated as the only one without a miracle, experiences a significant earthquake. In her vision, she sees the Madrigal family house cracked up to the top floor, where the magic candle has been placed for years. Concerned about her family’s well-being, she urgently shares her vision with her grandmother.
Mirabel doesn’t just want to embark on a mission to save the family; she also yearns for her family to recognize her contributions to the Madrigal family. As she investigates further, she discovers that behind the magic that makes each family member perfect, there is a fragile aspect slowly eroding them. Unwittingly, Mirabel helps all her siblings open up about their feelings.
Her journey eventually leads her to Uncle Bruno, who has been isolating himself in the house. He was initially thought to be missing, but in reality, he had locked himself away out of fear that he might have a negative influence on his family.
The Theme of Encanto
The overarching theme of Encanto revolves around prophecy and, of course, family. Mirabel’s grandmother used her magical abilities to establish the city when her people were forced to flee a sudden violent attack on their village. Ever since, the Madrigal family has dedicated themselves to serving the village, using their magical gifts to bestow blessings and bring happiness to everyone. The Madrigal family is perceived as the ideal family, always ready to assist and brimming with joy. However, this outward appearance of perfection conceals the mounting pressure building behind the magical facade they maintain.
Luisa serves as an example of someone who provides all the strength the village needs, but her outward strength masks deep-seated anxiety and personal struggles that she cannot openly acknowledge. She constantly strives for perfection, even when stress and illness take a toll on her mental health. The Madrigal family’s home serves as an allegory for the family’s collective emotional state. When Mirabel and her grandmother have a heated argument, the house crumbles, symbolizing the division within the family. In a more direct sense, the house reflects the family’s emotional condition, with cracks appearing during moments of tension and conflict among the Madrigal family members, particularly between Mirabel and Alma.
The Representation
Alma, essentially, was the cause of the family split, according to Mirabel. Mirabel attributes the family’s problems to Alma, blaming her expectations for putting stress on Luisa and causing Isabela to suppress her emotions. She holds Alma responsible for the destruction of their home. Mirabel metaphorically tore away a false prophecy and fake masks, compelling Alma and everyone else to confront the underlying family turmoil. Mirabel possesses the unique gift of piercing through such masks. Her other family members are fearful of disappointing Alma because she is their grandmother and the one who has helped build a peaceful life for them.
Isabela represents a unique dynamic within the family. At first glance, she and Mirabel have a complicated relationship because Mirabel does not conform to the ideal of perfection that Isabela embodies at every turn. Isabela suppresses her desire for freedom and pleasure beneath the veneer of magical perfection, thanks to Mirabel. The first time the audience sees Isabela and Mirabel having fun and bonding as sisters, Alma intervenes, causing Isabela to quickly abandon her free-spirited nature and become meek and compliant, as per Alma’s expectations. While the rest of the family hesitates to disappoint Alma, Mirabel does not share the same reservations. The Madrigal family often sidelined Mirabel and deemed her useless because she did not possess a gift. Ultimately, it is Mirabel who unveils the truth by stripping away the magical facade that had been built around the family.
The Optimistic View
Unfortunately, when Mirabel discovered the fragility of her family, particularly her grandmother, her family perceived it as a threat capable of destroying the Madrigal family. Her grandmother reacted with fury, while Mirabel felt that she had been demanding perfection from her family. In an instant, they quarreled, and the Madrigal family’s house collapsed. Remarkably, these inner conflicts endear each character to the audience even more. The directors infuse all the scenes with vibrant colors and occasional musical numbers that delight the ear. Encanto conveys a positive message about a family prophecy, highlighting that everyone has a role to play in inspiring each other. Similarly, it portrays that even individuals who appear perfect have their struggles. As a result, audiences of all ages can enjoy the film. Moreover, it can serve as inspiration for teenagers grappling with their search for identity. Mirabel’s struggle amidst the conflicts within the Madrigal family provides a comforting depiction for the soul. This optimistic perspective makes the film one that many will flock to see, and it stands as one of the more enjoyable animated films.
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