- PG
- 1h 42m
- Directed by
-
- Byron Howard
- Story
- Charise Castro Smith
- Premiered
- October 13, 2021
- Language
-
- English
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $150,000,000.00
- Revenue
- $261,292,688.00
- Awards
-
- Won 1 Oscar. 58 wins & 86 nominations total
- Country
-
- United States of America
Encanto
- Production
-
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
Spoiler
Walt Disney Animation Studios' 60th feature, "Encanto," invites audiences into the breathtaking mountains of Colombia, introducing the remarkable Madrigal family and their enchanted home. This magical casita bestows a unique gift upon each family member, from extraordinary strength to the power of healing and even shape-shifting. However, one member, Mirabel Madrigal (voiced by the wonderfully talented Stephanie Beatriz), is conspicuously without a magical ability. When the very magic sustaining their home begins to falter, it falls upon Mirabel, the ordinary one, to embark on a quest to save her extraordinary family and their encanto, a term that can be interpreted as a magical place.
The mystery surrounding the family's encanto and its origins delves back several generations. To fully comprehend the unfolding events, we must explore the narrative crafted by the directorial team behind "Zootopia," Byron Howard and Jared Bush, with co-director Charise Castro Smith, a playwright and writer known for "The Haunting of Hill House." This detailed exploration comes with a spoiler warning; proceed with caution as we delve into the film's conclusion.
Contrary to Disney's rich history of formidable antagonists, "Encanto" presents no singular villain. Instead, the narrative subtly paints Mirabel's Uncle Bruno (portrayed by the legendary comedian John Leguizamo) as the family's pariah. Bruno's gift, the ability to foresee the future, proved to be more of a burden than a blessing. A particular prophecy he foresaw concerning the family led to his abrupt disappearance, cementing the unspoken family decree: "We don't talk about Bruno."
Driven by a desperate need to understand and reverse the fading magic, Mirabel ventures into Bruno's long-abandoned, boarded-up room. This vast chamber, a testament to the house's TARDIS-like interior, reveals the shattered remnants of Bruno's final prophecy. Her intrusion triggers a booby trap, threatening to entomb her in sand. Mirabel narrowly escapes this peril, emerging as a human hourglass, only to finally encounter Uncle Bruno himself.
Bruno recounts his story, revealing that he retreated into the very walls of the casita, finding solace and companionship with the rats, to remain close to his family without being present. He believed his gift was causing more harm than good, and his self-imposed exile was an attempt to alleviate the family's burdens. This sacrifice, however, becomes instrumental in deciphering his fragmented vision for Mirabel. The reassembled tablet foretells that Mirabel will either be the catalyst for the magic's preservation or its undoing. The prophecy indicates she must reconcile with someone, though the identity remains ambiguous. The vision depicts Mirabel embracing a woman, leading the family to assume her strained relationship with her sister, Isabela (voiced by Diane Guerrero of "Doom Patrol"), is the key to resolving the crisis.
While the film strongly suggests Mirabel needs to confide in her Abuela, the immediate focus shifts to her reconciliation with Isabela. Siblings often share a unique bond, but Mirabel and Isabela's relationship is fraught with tension, characterized by a dynamic reminiscent of sibling rivalries. Their animosity often manifests as passive-aggressive exchanges, escalating dramatically when Mirabel inadvertently disrupts Isabela's engagement dinner. Upon realizing that her conflict with her sister might be directly contributing to the weakening of the family's magic, Mirabel understands that forgiveness may not be easily attained.
This realization leads to the poignant song "What Else Can I Do?" During this musical interlude, the sisters discover that the root of their discord lies in a fundamental lack of understanding. They come to recognize that both are trapped by the expectations and perceptions imposed upon them by others. The liberating realization that they do not need to conform to rigid ideals to find happiness and acceptance reveals a deeper, shared connection than they ever imagined. Yet, despite Mirabel and Isabela's reconciliation, the casita's magic continues to wane.
The narrative then brings the focus to Abuela Alma Madrigal, the matriarch whose resilience after the tragic loss of her husband, Antonio, to invading soldiers, laid the foundation for the family's survival and prosperity. Left to raise her children, Pepa, Julieta, and Bruno, alone and without shelter, the family was found by a benevolent magic during their darkest hour. This magic manifested as their enchanted home and a protective shield for their land. Over time, Alma became the revered matriarch of both the Madrigal family and the thriving village that grew around their magical dwelling. She viewed her family's gifts as tools to foster community growth, enabling everyone in their Colombian town to flourish, built upon the bedrock of Abuela Madrigal's past struggles.
However, Alma's perspective remained rigidly fixed, failing to evolve alongside her family and the community. Her adherence to traditional, old-fashioned ways placed immense pressure on her descendants, particularly her grandchildren, to fit into the predefined molds of previous generations. This pressure is evident in the fear felt by Mirabel's sisters, Luisa and Isabela, who hesitated to express their true selves, worried about disappointing their family and community. Abuela's unyielding adherence to her outdated and narrow beliefs inadvertently stifled the magical candle that powered the Madrigals' gifts. Her grip was so tight that she even reprimanded Mirabel for encouraging her family to embrace their authentic selves. Tragically, even after uncovering the secrets of the family magic and the path to its restoration, Mirabel is unable to prevent the familial discord and the physical structure of their home from collapsing around them.
By this point, it is clear that Bruno is not the true antagonist. "Encanto" eschews a tangible villain, instead exploring the profound impact of generational trauma and unrealistic expectations. This theme is eloquently conveyed in Lin-Manuel Miranda's song "All Of You." As the Madrigals stand amidst the rubble of their once-magical home, uncertain of their next steps but united in their gratitude for one another, their gifts become secondary. In the song, Mirabel tells her grandmother, "It's time you learn that you're more than just your gift." Witnessing the devastation her rigid beliefs have wrought, Abuela finally comprehends: "The miracle is you. All of you."
In this pivotal moment, Mirabel's true power is revealed: empathy. She possesses the rare ability to listen, accept, and uplift others for who they are. This gift, though seemingly understated, is profoundly impactful. The film emphasizes that building and healing often require a collective effort, a "village." In this instance, the community, deeply indebted to the Madrigal family for their years of service, rallies without hesitation to help rebuild their home. As Mirabel places the final doorknob on the front door, the casita reawakens with magic, underscoring the central message: the true enchantment originates from the extraordinary individuals within, not the structure itself. With the rifts mended and the family reunited, the magic returns, and the Madrigals stand stronger than ever.
The overarching message of "Encanto" is one of universal acceptance and open-mindedness, particularly resonant for multi-generational families with immigrant roots. It's a timely and heartwarming theme, perfect for the holiday season and beyond. "Encanto" is available in theaters and on Disney+ starting December 24, 2021.
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