Encanto

by Tyler Glover

Photo: Disney

Directors: Jared Bush, Byron Howard & Charise Castro Smith 
Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecilia Botero & John Leguizamo 
Rated: PG
Runtime: 1 hour & 42 minutes

One of the greatest things happening in film today is greater representation for minorities. People that are not white are finally getting to see people like them on their screens (and not in stereotypical roles). It’s the way that life has always been: people from all different ethnic backgrounds have always been around from the beginning of time; film just hasn’t always reflected that. This progress has gone even slower in the world of animation. Disney did not have its first African-American princess until 2009 with the introduction of Princess Tiana in “The Princess and The Frog.” Since then, Disney has taken us to the Polynesian Islands in “Moana,” to the jazz club in “Soul,” and to Mexico on Dia De Los Muertos in “Coco.” While Disney took years to get the ball rolling, it appears they are committed to bringing diversity, inclusion, and representation to their animated films.

Disney’s latest film, “Encanto,” is the latest effort towards representation exploring Colombian culture. “Encanto” in English means “charm” and there could not be a more appropriate name for this film. “Encanto” is 100 percent charming start to finish. “Encanto” follows the story of the Family Madrigal who all live in a magical home that gifts all of them with specific magical powers except for Mirabel. As Mirabel is struggling to find her place in the world and in her family, the house starts to lose its magic and so Mirabel sets out to save the magic.

There is so much to love about this film from top to bottom. The biggest thing I loved about the film was the music. Lin-Manuel Miranda is showing us all why he is one of the biggest names in entertainment today with this score. The songs are all so great that it is difficult to choose just one. If I had to pick, it would be “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” It would not surprise me at all if “Encanto” manages to get an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score and win. The score was that great.

The film also has so many relatable characters. I feel like we all can identify with at least one of the characters. That’s one thing I think the script does splendidly. Grandmothers will relate to trying to do what’s best for the entire family, mothers will relate to trying to keep the peace, people worried about trying to always fulfill people’s expectation to be perfect will identify with Isabella and Luisa. People who are overly emotional will identify with Tia Pepa. Finally, anyone who has ever felt like an outcast will identify with Mirabel. Mirabel is searching for her place in the world and feels like no matter what she does, she messes things up while trying to do so. All of these characters for the most part are incredibly easy to love.  

“Encanto” is a film that is beautiful to look at with such vibrant and delightful colors but what I love the most about the film is that it gives us a look into Colombian culture. It shows us that the world is different and that’s a good thing. One thing about Mirabel that is different from other characters is that she is in a leading heroine role wearing glasses. My daughter wears glasses and when she saw Mirabel for the first time, she looked at me and said, “Daddy, she has glasses like me.” That’s what representation is and why it matters.