eSCAping Type 1

If you haven’t seen my new favorite movie yet, go to Disney+ and watch Encanto now. I’m obsessed and I’m not even remotely embarrassed. It’s just so good.

I know I’m late on this. I know it came out five months ago. But, remember? I’ve been hospitalized and bed-ridden. Which gave me a whole lot of time to lay there and analyze every inch of this film. And watch it about 7 times.

So, if you need a refresher on Why & How to Analyze Books/Movies, click and read, my friend! And then come back here and read this post, written solely to get this all out of my head.

A key component of Encanto is varying perspectives, shown largely by the protagonist wearing notable green glasses. They could have given Mirabel anything to make her quirky and unique; they chose glasses for a reason. (Kind of like how in Finding Nemo the address is written on (green) goggles, not a snorkel or flipper…)

Plus “open your eyes” – beyond being the very first line of the movie – is repeated several times by Mirabel and Abuela throughout the film.

Now that obviously ties into a few of the themes; although the Madrigals are all connected by being family, they each have a different view on what that means. Especially Mirabel and Abuela – the climax is triggered by their differing perspectives regarding family.

And a major piece of that is how different generations have different values.

This idea of growing and changing is heavily represented by butterflies in every scene – on the candle, as stone wall decor in la casita, adorning Mirabel’s blouse, flying in Bruno’s vision… I mean, it is a Disney movie, this motif is pretty obvious. Even the song playing when Alma (Abuela) and Pedro first meet is called “Two Caterpillars.” If that doesn’t tell you this movie is really about hidden beauty and future revelations, I don’t know what will.

Speaking of music, I really dare you to watch Encanto and not get the soundtrack stuck in your head. Louisa’s “Surface Pressure” was on repeat in my head during each of my CT scans this past month; that girl got me through a lot.

And “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is great on many levels. Like how Bruno’s secret is subtly revealed – Dolores sings about hearing him in the walls, Camilo casually reminds his cousin that her boyfriend arrived (“He’s here!!”) right after someone else says Bruno’s name, the song powerfully ends with separate characters’ versus coming together kind of like how the family has to all work together at the end of the movie…

Fun Fact: In Disneyworld, if there is a door or sign or building that people aren’t supposed to notice, it’s painted a color nicknamed “Go-Away Green.” This hue was specifically designed by Disney to blend into any background and is easily overlooked when compared to the surrounding vibrant colors.

I’ll let you figure out why I included that.

There are lots of theories out there on why Mirabel didn’t get a special power when she was young, including her wiping her hands on her shirt between touching the candle and the doorknob.

But I think she did get a gift, something to do with unifying and protecting her family.

It’s symbolized throughout the entire movie, starting with her door (closure, barrier, separation) vanishing. Even her name alludes to the idea that she is the “miracle” they’re waiting for. When Antonio gets his own room and is immediately greeted by a living version of the jaguar Mirabel had made him, that shows her protective nature. When she sees the house cracking for the first time, she “cracks” (cuts her hand), too…

Or maybe she just doesn’t get one until the end of the film, kind of like a butterfly.