Synopsis
Encanto was released in 2021 by Walt Disney Animation Studios and features their characteristic vivacity and animation. Located in the beautiful mountains of Colombia, it portrays the Madrical family, who, as the legend goes, each has a special gift—well, except for Mirabel. She is part of a family of wonders and has come to the conclusion that the most ‘normal’ part of the family is the most gifted. Mirabel feels left out considering each of her relatives has some extraordinary ability such as super strength, ability to heal, ability to control the weather and even shape shift.
With a fascinating flashback, the movie starts. During one of the most terrible times in her life, Alma Madrigal, as some used to call her Abuela, was forced to run away from her house, at which time she was given a mystical candle. The candle goes on to create a 살아움직이는 구조물, or “Casita,” and in turn, when the children in the family come of age, the candle bestows each of them with their own special powers.
The Casita itself is alive and although it is a house, it is full of magic. It embodies the spirit of the family it protects and is also intended to be a reflection of their personality.
To this day, the Madrigal family is adored by the citizens, who have come to rely on their magical talents for aid and guidance. Mirabel’s siblings and cousins embrace their gifts fully, with Isabela’s effortless mastery of plant life, Luisa’s astonishing superhuman strength, Camilo’s fluid shape-shifting abilities, Dolores’ enhanced auditory perception, Antonio’s ability to fully communicate with animals, and Mirabel’s mother, Julieta, who is able to heal with her culinary skills. The only exception is Mirabel, who now as a teenager, does not have a ‘gift’.
Mirabel’s kind and radiant demeanor, paired with her obvious devotion to her family, starkly contrasts with the overwhelming sense of exclusion and identity crisis that she has to grapple with. While Mirabel was celebrating Antonio’s gift ceremony, encircled by a cheerful atmosphere, she spotted enigmatic fissures on the surface of Casita and a magical candle struggling to maintain a stable flame. Whenever she attempted to alert the guests of her growing fears, her concerns were dismissed as futile and formed by a ADHD brain.
To protect the family and the miracle that sustains them, Mirabel begins to investigate. Her investigation reveals many family secrets, including the reason why Bruno, her uncle who had the power to see the future, vanished many years ago. In the household, Bruno is a largely taboo subject. However, Mirabel is able to track him down and discovers that he lives within the walls of the Casita and has self exiled due to the belief that his prophecies cause harm.
Mirabel learns through Bruno that she is just as deeply entwined in his views as he is, focusing on a single prophecy which shows a choice: the family magic will either break or it will be saved. While the house and the magic that binds the family grow, so do the tensions and animosities
Mirabel and Abuela’s physical confrontation alters the dynamic between the two. Abuela’s intention to protect the miracle has distracted her from realizing that she hurts her descendants more. Mirabel finally reveals the reason as to why, despite all the efforts she put in to belong to the family, she feels invisible and is not given the appreciation that she deserves.
In the shadows of the family’s transformation becomes apparent when the candle encased in the casita loses its flame, and the casita itself begins to break down. They come to understand that their core resilience stems from the family’s connection, acceptance, and their profound, transcendent love. This love, moreover, is unshackled to the phenomenal gifts each family member bears.
The rest of the townsfolk warmly embrace the relational bonds, supporting the Madrigals in the effort to repair the casita as well. A point of which is highlighted when Mirabel places the last doorknob and the Madrigal family magic lights up the casita. As the family’s love is unshakeable, the very paradox of the situation is that Mirabel, with no gifts at all, is the one to restore the magic. Proving that she is the very heart of the family.
Cast & Crew
The playful Encanto is enhanced with diverse casting, true to the Latin roots of the story:
Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel Madrigal. A bold and gentle girl who learns the value of self forgoes wonders.
Abuela Alma Madrigal, voiced by Maria Cecilia Botero, is the family’s matriarch, intent on protecting the miracle from all harm.
Bruno, the living mystery, voiced by John Leguizamo, is the family member forced to hide in order to keep the others safe.
Isabela is the younger of the two sisters, easily mistaken for her older sister. Dressed in perfection, she is capable of growing beautiful plants.
Jessica Darrow as Luisa – A grieving and strong sister who has super powers.
Wilmer Valderrama as Agustín Madrigal – The Barb.
Angie Cepeda as Julieta Madrigal – A food healer who is Mirabel’s mother.
Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Antonio – A young cousin of Mirabel who has the ability of communicating with animals.
Adassa as Dolores – The cousin who has the ability of listening the very distant sounds.
Direction and Music
Directed by: Byron Howard, Jared Bush, and Charise Castro Smith.
Screenplay: Jared Bush and Charise Castro Smith.
Songs: Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also worked on Hamilton and Moana.
The highlight of Encanto, which has multiple layers of story, is also music, with songs that evoke emotions such as “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” “Surface Pressure,” and “The Family Madrigal” becoming incredibly popular. They engage the audience while also shedding light on the characters’ emotions.
The film’s score along with its colombian genres like vallenato, cumbia, and bambuco, makes the films score and songs rich.
Derived from the IMDb ratings, Encanto is a film with valuable moments as it was rated a 7.2/10, while also receiving praise for the music, and the emotional characteristics brought forth by the animation, and the voice performances.
Encanto’s most significant aspect was how it dealt with its characters—not focusing on them as glorious heroes, but as normal people with issues, concerns, and emotions. The younger population and a lot of the audience embraced Mirabel and her struggles with self-acceptance and the overwhelming need to fit in and belong to a world that seems to prize flawless perfection.
The film effectively captures the universal and generational themes within families of having expectations and the unspoken struggles that lie beneath, the feelings of having to succeed. It unleashed the much-needed dialogues in families about emotional exhaustion, mental health, and most importantly, the need of compassion.
Encanto’s outstanding achievements include having won the following:
Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (2022).
Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
Several Annie Awards for music and character design.
The soundtrack was and still is a favorite, having topped charts globally, including the hit and ever popular “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, which is one of the most streamed Disney songs to date.
Encanto is much more than a captivating story full of magic and magic, it depicts the romance and true meaning of compassion, self-acceptance and imperfection. From her perspective, the audience is given a chance to witness the disappearance of feeling ‘belonged, seen, valued’ which is a rarity in most cases to be loved because of one’s true self.
Encanto has become a modern classic with it’s Colombian setting, colorful animation, rich music, and deeper meaning. It teaches that families, just like homes, have cracks, which can be remedied with empathy, compassion, and togetherness.
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