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‘Encanto’ Review: In This House, We Make Magic

Disney’s new film, about a gifted family in Colombia, has stunning animation, a beautifully composed story and spellbinding songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

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essay about encanto movie

By Maya Phillips

For better or worse, Disney has always been in the business of making magic. We all know the worst: the unimpressive secondhand sorcery of formulaic plots, flavorless songs and lifeless animation. But the best — well, that’s the kind of magic that gets passed on for generations.

So it’s not unlike the magic of Casita, the living house of the Madrigal family in Disney’s brilliant new animated film “Encanto.” Forget Alexa — Casita’s a smart home like no other. She speaks in a language of clapped tiles and flapping window shutters, and helps keep things in order.

And she has her traditions: When each young Madrigal comes of age, she grants them a gift and a door to a new bedroom, an impossibly large and elaborately designed chamber themed around a special ability. It all started years ago, when the Madrigal matriarch, Abuela Alma (María Cecilia Botero), and her family fled the violence of their village. After a tragic loss, however, a miracle appeared in the form of a candle that granted the kids their powers. There’s a shape-shifter, a prophet, a healer and more — and then there’s Mirabel (a perfectly cast Stephanie Beatriz), the muggle of the clan.

When Mirabel finds herself in the middle of a mystery about the future of her family’s magic, she goes on a mission to figure out how she can stop the worst from happening. It’s a surprisingly small-scale story: Instead of on a journey, the action unfolds in and around the Madrigal home. But that’s because “Encanto” is most interested in the love and struggles of family, without silly side characters or romantic leads.

The computer animation, some of the best from any major studio in the last several years, presents a dazzling confabulation of hues and a meticulous weaving of precious details — like the embroidery on skirts, the golden-brown crust of a cheese arepa and the selection of native Colombian flora.

In “Encanto” there’s a robust engagement with, and respect for, Latino culture in all of its dimensions. The Madrigal family members’ skin tones range from lighter to darker, their hair textures from straight to kinky-curly. And the grand pooh-bah of the contemporary musical movie score, Lin-Manuel Miranda , provides a spellbinding soundtrack of songs combining salsa, bachata and hip-hop played with traditional folk instruments from Colombia.

The directors, Jared Bush and Byron Howard, last collaborated on another of Disney’s brightest gems of the last decade, the racially aware “ Zootopia ,” and they subtly incorporate an important political message into this film as well. This is a story about displaced people who build a home from nothing. Their history is the source of their magic, and they use that magic to selflessly improve their community, without needing to assimilate into it. Given our nation’s track record on these subjects, to see such a tale in a children’s movie is quietly extraordinary.

But “Encanto” also resists having its magical characters fall into the trope of the model immigrants — that they have only earned their place because of their special abilities. The Madrigal family members belong even when they’re not conjuring roses or transforming the weather. And even with these fantastic feats of wizardry, the Madrigals, with all of their relatable family dynamics, are believably loving, funny and flawed.

If home is where the heart is, my heart’s with Casita.

Encanto Rated PG. Running time: 1 hour 39 minutes. In theaters.

Maya Phillips is a critic at large. She is the author of the poetry collection “Erou” and “NERD: Adventures in Fandom From This Universe to the Multiverse,” forthcoming from Atria Books. More about Maya Phillips

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Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Movie Analysis — What Life-Lessons Can Be Find in the Movie ‘Encanto’

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What Life-lessons Can Be Find in The Movie 'Encanto'

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Published: Feb 11, 2023

Words: 1140 | Pages: 3 | 6 min read

Table of contents

Everyone is vulnerable., you are perfect simply as you are, talk about bruno, truth will set you free, value the family, works cited.

  • Carpenter, E. (2021, December 1). How ‘Encanto’ uses magical realism to convey the immigrant experience. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/12/01/encanto-immigration-magical-realism/
  • Encanto: 5 things parents will appreciate. (2022, January 3). Common Sense Media.
  • Kleinman, A. (2022, January 13). How Disney’s ‘Encanto’ fosters self-love and diversity. The Lily. https://www.thelily.com/how-disneys-encanto-fosters-self-love-and-diversity/
  • Luna, J. (2021, November 24). What ‘Encanto’ gets right about Latin American families. Remezcla. https://remezcla.com/lists/film/what-encanto-gets-right-about-latin-american-families/
  • Olivera, R. (2022, January 6). How ‘Encanto’ gives Latinx kids a rare space to explore the beauty of their culture. NBC News.
  • Seitz, M. Z. (2021, December 21). Encanto: Review. RogerEbert.com.
  • Valenzuela, E. (2021, December 6). Disney’s Encanto: The impact on Latinx representation in film. The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.

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essay about encanto movie

essay about encanto movie

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screenshot from Encanto

‘Encanto’ Is a Magical Film With an Important Message

essay about encanto movie

In the wake of Disney-produced grand reveals like “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” it seems that “Encanto” hasn’t received the attention or hype it deserves. The grossly underrated animated film is a story filled with magic, honesty, beautiful imagery, amazing music and lovable characters. So, what is “Encanto” about, and what makes it such a gem of a film?

“Encanto” in a Nutshell

The film takes place in a Colombian village named Encanto. Here lives the Madrigal family, who are blessed with an eternally lit, magical candle that grants each of the family members an extraordinary gift. Luisa is gifted with super strength, while Isabel is the epitome of beauty and perfection. Bruno is the family member who can see into the future and who is believed to be missing for a majority of the film. Finally, Antonio is the Madrigal who was most recently bestowed with his gift: the ability to communicate with animals. All the Madrigals have such breathtaking magic — all except Mirabel, of course.

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Encanto itself is a word that means charm or “the allure of something or someone … the pleasing or exciting quality they have.” Given this meaning, the word encanto is the perfect name for a movie all about a magicless girl who’s part of a fantastical, charmed family. Mirabel, the protagonist of “Encanto,” is the only member of the Madrigal family to have been denied any special gifts by the candle. Because of this, she often struggles to remain optimistic and close with her family, who oftentimes unintentionally isolates her because of her differences.

Mirabel’s struggle to find her identity and connect with her loved ones is just one of the reasons she’s such a lovable, relatable protagonist. In addition to these traits, Mirabel is adventurous, quirky, funny, honest and so much more. She may not have any special gifts, but she is one of the key reasons why “Encanto” is such a magical, spellbinding watch.

Of course, even the Madrigals with special gifts have their own personal struggles throughout the film. Disney’s choice to give time to these characters and their own inner plights is another reason why “Encanto” is a captivating watch. For example, Disney could have easily portrayed Luisa, the super-strong female Madrigal, as a two-dimensional character who never cracks or reveals emotions or insecurities.

Instead, “Encanto” dedicates an entire song for Luisa to express how carrying the literal weight of the village on her shoulders is burdensome at times; she feels like she can’t relax or show any vulnerability like crying. Such rawness and honesty allow viewers to connect closely not just with Mirabel, but with other characters like Luisa.

Even Isabel, the Madrigal who seems to be just a snobby mean girl, ends up revealing other sides of her that help people sympathize with her character. Isabel only seems pretentious because she’s felt like she’s always had to be completely perfect for the family, never able to make a mistake or step a toe out of line.

These character developments are made all the more impactful and magical because they usually happen during a song. Of course, one of the film’s greatest strengths is its extraordinary soundtrack. Meshing such beautiful music with the intense character growth is a combination that makes a deeper impact on viewers.

What’s more, “Encanto” manages to balance such heavy moments with humor fit for both adults and kids. Characters like Bruno and Maribel add a constant flow of comedic relief throughout the film with their quirky and clumsy actions. One of the more underrated characters of the film is Pepa Madrigal, whose gift is the connection between her emotions and the weather. Pepa can be seen running around, oftentimes looking disheveled, with a literal raincloud over her head.

Her personality and gift can be interpreted as a depiction of anxiety , and while anxiety is a serious topic, Pepa’s ability to summon rainbows and sunshine despite the rainclouds provides a redeeming lightheartedness that balances the heavy discussion of mental health. Such a combination of solemnity and joviality is another way that “Encanto” achieves its magic.

Another important part of the magic is none other than Casita, the Madrigal house itself. Making one of the central characters a traditionally inanimate object is a pleasant, creative surprise for viewers. Casita seems to be just as alive as any of the Madrigals: It responds to their requests and conversations, and its tiles, stairs and railings are always shifting, like one big body. Casita never actually utters a word, yet the house manages to be one of the most warming, comforting presences in the film.

“Encanto” and Honesty

“Encanto” is a breath of fresh air in that it shows large corporations like Disney are capable of change and evolution. Looking back at older animated films like “Pocahontas,” one can’t help but cringe at the historical inaccuracy. While it is a children’s movie, the film departs from real-life past traumas and events in a completely inappropriate, offensive way. There is a way to make an animated story appropriate for kids while also telling the truth about history, and “Encanto” does this. This honesty deviates from the smoke and mirrors of past animated films, and is yet another reason why “Encanto” is such a gem.

Toward the end of the film, through a flashback, Abuela reveals what happened to her husband and her people. In the flashback, viewers see white men on horses running down Abuela and the other Colombians. One can assume that the white men are colonists, representing the real-life European colonizers of world history who displaced and destroyed many Indigenous communities. The colonizers in the film are the ones who kill Abuela’s husband. Upon witnessing his death, Abuela cries into the candle in her hands; the candle comes to life in that moment and becomes the magical item that grants the Madrigals their gifts for years to come.

Taking the time to tell the origin of the Madrigal magic and choosing not to glorify or romanticize the past is a greatly appreciated honesty that makes “Encanto” stand out. The magic doesn’t just manifest randomly or come from some happy origin story. Instead, it is tied to tragedy, making it a more tangible and heart-wrenching tale. What’s more, the tragic past displayed in “Encanto” is one that acknowledges the traumas that are a part of true history.

Leaning Away From Cliches

With all the characteristics previously described, it’s clear that “Encanto” leans away from cliches. This is true of the movie’s ending. Spoiler alert: If thinking in a clichéd mindset, one might expect the movie to end in a happily ever after where Maribel is suddenly blessed with the coolest gifts ever. While “Encanto” does have the happy ending, it doesn’t reach this satisfying conclusion in such an expected, cheesy way.

To end the movie with Maribel only finding self-worth and happiness through finally gaining powers would defeat the whole message of “Encanto,” which is that one doesn’t need superpowers to be a worthy hero and person. The end stays true to this message: Maribel never gets any gifts. But it’s more than okay, because she has managed to reach self-actualization while also bringing her family together. It’s a new type of happy ending — an unconventional and creative one that perfectly represents why “Encanto” is such a gem.

  • Animated films
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Symbolism in Disney’s Movie “Encanto”

Introduction, butterflies, works cited.

Disney’s Encanto is full of minute details that give the story of the characters a lot more depth. One such feature that appears in several locations throughout Encanto is butterflies, which have unique significance. Disney has experimented with many different genres and techniques, but the company is still best known for its animated films. Its most recent hit is Encanto, which Jared Bush and Byron Howard directed. Therefore, Encanto’s use of symbols is seen both blatantly and covertly as a metaphor for the Madrigals as butterflies, Bruno, and barriers bear different interpretations of the film.

The Madrigal family, headed by matriarch Alma Madrigal also known as Abuela, is introduced to viewers in Encanto when they are in Colombia. Alma was abandoned with her triplets while fleeing an armed battle in the past, and she also lost her husband, Pedro. By some miracle, Abuela’s candle acquired magical abilities, protecting them from their assailants and erecting a sentient home that they adoringly refer to as Casita (Buesa 110). For many years, the flame burned, safeguarding Casita, the Madrigals, and the entire town. It also gave each Madrigal descendent a particular gift, except Mirabel, the only member of the family not to receive one during her ceremony. Mirabel felt excluded from the family, which inspired her to look into unsolved family secrets involving her late uncle Bruno.

Disney has recently studied many cultures in several of its films, and it has worked hard to incorporate as many symbolic elements, little details, and references into each film as it can. Encanto is no exception, and viewers will likely continue to notice minute elements that have significant implications for the Madrigals and their narratives. One such detail that can be seen throughout the whole film is butterflies (Buesa 110). These usually appear on Mirabel’s blouse, the walls of the kitchen and nursery where Mirabel resides, the candle, Abuela’s chatelaine, and Bruno’s dream. They are a nod to Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Colombia’s most well-known author, and Mirabel’s adventure in Encanto.

The narrative of the Madrigals, who saw their family and home fall apart and had to reconstruct not only their home but also their relationship, is one in which butterflies are symbolic of metamorphosis, hope, and in certain cultures, rebirth and resurrection. The butterflies on Mirabel’s garments represent how she is the one who provides change and rebirth to the family (Buesa 110). Still, they also have another significance, particularly those on her ceremonial outfit. The butterflies in Mirabel’s outfit during the ceremony, according to screenwriter Charise Castro Smith, stand for uncertainty because she was unsure what her gift would be. The yellow butterflies in Bruno’s vision and when Abuela and Mirabel kiss after Encanto are significant since they are seen as a sign of joy and imagination and are considered fortunate for the Madrigals.

The yellow butterflies are also a nod to Garcia Márquez’s book One Hundred Years of Solitude, which also contains similar butterflies. One Hundred Years of Solitude, like Encanto, is a multigenerational tale in which the patriarch finds a community, just like Abuela accomplished with the aid of the candle’s miracle (Buesa 110). In addition to adding to the emotional impact and enhancing the plot in Encanto, the butterflies that appear in various things and locations also provide a very subtle but intriguing allusion to one of Colombia’s most well-known painters.

Disney’s Encanto and Pixar’s Luca also included the name “Bruno,” but neither utilized it excellently. When Encanto debuted in November 2021, it focused on the Madrigals; a Colombian family endowed with magical abilities. The song “We Do Not Talk About Bruno,” featured in the animated musical, was first heard by audiences and became the most successful song on the Billboard Hot 100. The phrase “We Do Not Talk About Bruno” relates to how everyone in the town, even the Madrigals, thought that Bruno’s premonitory visions were to blame for all the awful things that had occurred (Bahar et al. 76). This eventually caused Bruno to flee, and the locals stopped talking about him.

Even though “We Do Not Talk About Bruno” appears lighthearted, Encanto is rendered more painful by the song’s underlying real meaning. Because of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s lyrics, the pulsating Encanto tune made it possible to explore the subject of neurodiversity in greater detail. Not Bruno himself, but the unfair way his family saw his acts and habits is what makes this forbidden issue so devastating (Bahar et al. 77). The Encantos distanced themselves from Bruno. The song’s title first conveys the reluctance to confront complex parts of neurodivergent behavior, as demonstrated by Bruno, a missing member of the Madrigal family. The song’s underlying message alludes to why the Madrigals do not talk.

Nonetheless, whether on purpose or not, the Madrigal family has been gaslighting Bruno by holding him responsible for occurrences that would have occurred regardless of his prophecies. The family avoids everything they deem sad or too direct to maintain a poisonous optimism. The matriarch of Encanto, Abuela Alma Madrigal, who insists on refusing to acknowledge Bruno’s neurodiversity, exacerbates this fault (Bahar et al. 75). Bruno does not belong at the table since his brain processes differently from what the family deems neurotypical. Anything that deviates from their ideal Casita existence is regarded as forbidden by the Madrigals since they are concerned with appearances.

Furthermore, Bruno was compelled to remain hidden within the home by the “We Do Not Talk About Bruno” lyrics, which may have served as a teaching opportunity for the Madrigal family. The family perceived weakness in Bruno’s distinctions even though he was born with the capacity to predict the future. The Madrigals, who would want to live in a peaceful household free of conflicts or unfavorable prophecies, were overwhelmed by his magical abilities. The unsettling choice to keep Bruno’s Encanto secret a secret revealed how unkind Encanto’s Madrigals could be to their own family (Bahar et al. 79). Bruno’s banishment was made more tragic by this depiction of the family as image-conscious and served to humanize him. This message clarified the idea of unrestricted love and the nature of families.

The Madrigal family suffered significant damage due to this poisonous belief that Bruno should never be brought up. As was reflected in Luisa’s “Surface Pressure” and Isabela’s “What Else Can I Do,” the main character, Mirabel, highlighted the necessity for a shift in attitude in the circumstance by acknowledging the situation as faulty rather than pretending everything was all right. Mirabel’s positive approach made her even more of a hero for treating Bruno with respect than the rest of the family. The family’s reckless inactivity and imputing Bruno’s mental health problems as the cause of the disaster in “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” were the real tragedies. The true meaning of Disney’s catchy Lin Manuel-Miranda song is the challenging family conflict (Bahar et al. 78). The true meaning of Disney’s catchy Lin Manuel-Miranda song is the challenging family conflict. Bruno, played by Encanto, is a terrible character, but the most unfortunate aspect of the story is how his family ignores the problem in front of them.

Encanto’s songs, except “We Do Not Talk About Bruno,” contain deeper meanings that get more depressing the more deeply they are thought about and analyzed. Although the melodies on each Lin Manuel-Miranda song are bright and vibrant, the lyrics consistently show how the Madrigals struggle with intergenerational trauma due to the demanding standards of family matriarch Abuela, who herself experienced terrible sorrow in the past (Bahar et al. 77). Even though most conceal their troubles more carefully than Bruno does, every member of the Madrigal family of Encanto tries to uphold their idealized image and support the family in the ways Abuela sees suitable. Even with its conventional Disney happy ending and peppy, Latin-fusion-tinged music, Encanto is a far more philosophically sophisticated movie than it lets on for all of these reasons.

The design of Bruno’s chamber, both literally and figuratively, might, however, be altered. This is from the end of Encanto, where the Casita was rebuilt, Bruno made peace with his family, and the Madrigal family recovered their magical powers. It became far more likely that Bruno’s visions would be helpful with these adjustments (Bahar et al. 79), his return to the family’s core, and Mirabel’s hidden sight gift. This should put an end to his desire to keep a barrier between his loved ones and allow his gift to finally cease being a curse and live up to its name, given that the visions were the major reason for his separation.

Based on barriers, when Alma enters, Isabela stops talking and stops being the free spirit she so dearly wanted. Instead, she becomes timid and silent, which is precisely what Alma needs from her. The family does not want to let her down, but Mirabel is unafraid to do so. Mirabel has always been a little bit of a letdown to Alma. She was usually overlooked because she lacked a gift and was viewed as less helpful than her sisters and relatives (White 30). This enables Mirabel to dismantle the barrier walls that magic erected around the family to reveal the unpleasant reality.

Naturally, there is no wreckage at the film’s end. At the side of a swiftly flowing river, where Alma found Mirabel when she was last seen there years before, Mirabel rushes away, and Alma follows her. In the same way that Alma’s argument and the destruction of the family home peeled away Mirabel’s barriers and allowed her to see her sisters for who they were, so too had Mirabel peeled away her sisters’ barriers to reveal their true selves (White 33). Alma now admits that in her fear of losing the miracle, she had lost sight of what it was for: her family’s survival and well-being.

In conclusion, one of those movies that people will remember ten years from now is Encanto. The movie Encanto has flawless execution, and many people may relate to its topic. Encanto is more than just a kid’s movie; it might make one cry if one has ever been in one of the characters’ shoes. On the other hand, children will like this movie and could even choose a partner for their future. Watching Encanto in the comfort of one’s home or lot is the finest option, and if one is seeking a high-quality home outside of Metro Manila, the top developer in the industry can provide one with the first house. Therefore, Camella offers a neighborhood where one is close to essential facilities like schools or busy roads and offers you round-the-clock security. The Camella community offers many things for a family to enjoy, even though the homes there may not have exceptional abilities like Casita from Encanto.

Bahar, Afiqah Aisyah Saiful, Md Jais Ismail, and Adi Nur Rasyid Rahmat. “Potential of Composition Market: Public acceptance in translated musical works on YouTube platform.” Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal 7.SI7 (2022): 75-79.

Buesa, Andrés. “Beyond Victimhood: Vulnerability as Resistance in Songs My Brothers Taught Me.” BOOK OF : 110.

White, Patricia. “Women Auteurs, Western Promises.” Film Quarterly 75.4 (2022): 23-33.

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COMMENTS

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