Coco
Directed by: Lee Unkrich & Adrian Molina
Screenplay by: Lee Unkrich, Jason Katz, Matthew Aldrich & Adrian Molina
Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Reneé Victor & more
Review by: Alex Sala
If you’ve seen any Pixar movie by now you’ll know to be ready for the tide of emotions that come with any of their films, but Coco, in a way no other Pixar film has, captures the pains and joys of a family that loves, worries and looks after each other for life and beyond.
And it makes me so proud.
First, if you think Coco isn’t for you because you’re not Mexican, Hispanic or Latin descent throw that notion out right now. Coco is for everyone because as much as it is a celebration of Mexican culture, Coco also goes to great lengths to celebrate the importance of family, the soul-feeding power of music and (like any good Disney film) the strength of finding and following your dreams.
Coco tells the story of 12-year old Miguel Rivera (Anthony Gonzalez), a boy born into a family of shoemakers, “cursed” to lead a life devoid of song due his great-great-grandfather disappearing to pursue a life of music. We learn that this act made Miguel’s great-great-grandmother shun music, take up shoemaking and pass down both traditions to every generation leading to Miguel. Unfortunately for Miguel’s music is in his soul, with his biggest aspiration being to become a famous musician just like the legendary Ernesto De La Cruz (Benjamin Bratt).
It’s on Dia De Los Muertos Miguel discovers a family photo that might link him and De La Cruz by blood. Miguel jumps at the idea of being related to the iconic musician – not for fame or fortune, but to show his family that Miguel carries the same musical spark his ancestor did. But this confrontation doesn’t go well – leading his Abuelita (Reneé Victor) to smash Miguel’s guitar and tear down his altar to De La Cruz. Emboldened to prove his family wrong, Miguel heads to De La Cruz’ mausoleum to borrow his guitar and win the Dia De Los Muertos talent show. Things go wrong when this act sends Miguel straight into the land of the dead.
It’s then that Miguel begins his journey through the land of the dead populated by animated calacas (skeletons), and runs into all of Miguel’s ancestors including his great-great-grandmother, Mamá Imelda (Alanna Ubach) – the matriarch that banned music from Miguel’s family. To return to the land of the living a family member must give their blessing to Miguel and Mamá Imelda offers hers with the stipulation he never touch music again. Miguel refuses and instead teams up with a savvy grifter Héctor (Gael García Bernal) to get the blessing from his great-great-grandfather, Hector De La Cruz.
This film takes a roundabout way to get to the meat of the story which takes place in the land of the dead. But it’s important to pay attention to the emotional resonance of the scenes centering around Miguel’s living family. Seeing the entire Rivera family working under one roof as shoemakers brings to mind a common narrative of Latinx families passing the knowledge of their skills down generations to maintain familial tradition alive. This is why the confrontation between Miguel and his family over wanting to be a musician is a heartbreaking one – as it becomes a fight between maintaining family loyalty and tradition vs pursuing personal passion. Leaving Miguel to feel alone among his most central community.
And this drama continues into the land of the dead when no other skeletal family member dares to challenge Mamá Imelda when she stipulates Miguel can return to the living on the harsh condition of him giving up music. But resolute in his dream, even when faced with possible death, Miguel chooses to chase music and fearlessly venture further into the land of the dead.
It’s Miguel’s love of music that becomes beautifully translated in the film with scenes like when Miguel sneaks off to his secret De La Cruz altar studded with memorabilia and Miguel plays a crudely fashioned guitar to mimic his idol’s music. Miguel’s facial expressions and finger picking, showcases the power music has over his soul. As Miguel travels further on his magical journey, he proves that his musical ambition is more than a dream, showing off his talents – nervously at first – but then time and again to capture the attention and admiration of those around him.
It’s the love of music for both Miguel and the film that wins its biggest test when Miguel returns to face his family and sings a tear-jerking duet with the oldest living member of Miguel’s family, Mamá Coco. A duet that brings to light the musical spark that was in Miguel’s family all along. And also a moment which brought me to tears right alongside the family on screen.
Now as a reviewer of Mexican-descent I have to ask you to allow me a moment to gush about a few things:
*deep inhale*
AMONG THE DEAD THEY HAD LEGENDARY MEXICAN WRESTLER EL SANTO, VISIONARY MEXICAN ARTIST FRIDA KAHLO, MEXICO’S CHARLIE CHAPLIN, CANTINFLAS, THE CHARISMATIC SINGER / SONGWRITER PEDRO INFANTE WHO DE LA CRUZ IS MODELED AFTER – SPOTIFY HIM NOW *WINK*, AND- AND
“Who are these peo-”
DID YOU SEE MIGUEL’S GRANDMA WIELD THAT CHANCLA?! GAVE ME CHILLS THE WAY IT SNAPPED. IT WAS A CLUB, A SIX SHOOTER AND A DANG HAND HELD MISSILE! JUST LIKE IN REAL LIFE WHEN A MEXICAN GRANDMA THREATENS TO SMACK YOU WITH IT!
“Wait, what’s a ‘chan-claw’?”
IT’S A SANDAL!
I TEARED UP JUST AS MEXICAN MUSIC PLAYED OVER THE DISNEY ANIMATION INTRO. AND MORE SO WHEN THE CREDITS REACHED THE END AND THE CAST/CREATORS THANKED THEIR ANCESTORS IN A 40FT PHOTO WALL OF FAMILY, PAST AND PRESENT! …S-SHUT UP! I-I’M NOT C-CRYING…Y-YOU’RE CRYING!
“Are you ok?”
*sobs uncontrollably*
Verdict:
Watch It! Coco is a feel good movie through and through despite all my tearful outbursts. It wonderfully (and respectfully) adapts Mexican culture by grounding representations of Mexican music, art, lore, and tradition, in a heartfelt tale about family and following your dreams. There’s plenty of jokes, and stunning visuals throughout, as well as a very catchy soundtrack. Also works if you need a good cry at the end too.
