Synopsis
Join young aspiring musician Miguel on an extraordinary journey to the Land of the Dead as he attempts to break his Grandma Coco’s long disdain of music, prove his true talent, and ultimately unlock the real story behind generations of family history.
| Running Time | 2 hours and 10 minutes |
| Genre | Animation |
| Cast | Edward James Olmos, Alanna Ubach, Benjamin Bratt |
| Release Date | November 22, 2017 |
(Source: SM Cinema)
I was never a fan of animation. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, this is the first time I’ve sat down a movie house to see one – if not for the invitation of my colleague Mae who was willing to watch it for the second time. She said it made her and her boyfriend cry. So, I thought it was a dramatic Thai film until it rolled and flashed the Disney and Pixar intros.
Oh well, I told myself I can just kill that girl the next day if the film wouldn’t be worth my 270 pesos and going home late on a Thursday.
After the first 15 minutes
I was glued to the screen. Still aware I am seeing a film I didn’t signed up for, but there is something with the narrative. It will make you interested. The cinema was quiet as Miguel introduces his life, family, and their tradition. But still, no hint of drama and I’m starting to question Mae’s promise that it would make me cry.
Fast forward to halfway through the movie, you’ll realize you are with Miguel on his attempt to get his own way. The situation is familiar and Miguel’s character is heavily relatable. As the real conflict of the story built up, I realized this movie is exceeding my expectations. I underestimated it’s capability to highlight serious issues. To add, I didn’t see the twist coming!
Coco tackled some major elements of life: family, dreams, regret, and memories.
Family
Miguel belongs to a close-knit family that is extremely traditional. The elders say how you should live and leave life, and although it doesn’t sound right, you can tell it’s out of love and concern. I didn’t know Mexicans are familial like that. The regard for family and women is same with us Asians. Like me, you may not share the same beliefs with Miguel’s family, but you’ll see all the details make sense in the end.
Dreams
I like how Miguel honors his dream and believes there is no other way, but where it leads. If only more people would have that passion of a 12-year old, more lives would be meaningful. However, the movie also showed what happens when you badly want your dream to materialize, you’re willing to step on others. You become selfish and unconsciously, do things you’ll regret later on.
Regret
It is extremely saddening. Can you think of any cure for regret? Coco featured regret in two forms: regret of a father who left his family and of a boy who didn’t listen to his elders. Suffering from regret is inevitable when you’re very much guilty of acting out of emotions. What I liked in the movie is how the characters owned up their mistakes, stayed strong, and didn’t give up until they made it right.
Memories
“I cannot forgive you, but I shouldn’t forget you.”
-Imelda to Hector
Since the movie deals with life and death, it banked on how memories keep something (or someone) alive in a way. In the movie, you’ll realize that forgetting someone you loved dearly is impossible. They will be part of you forever, until your last breath. It doesn’t matter if they left you with a good or bad memory. If they’ve touched your soul, you’ll carry their story wherever you go, even pass it to the next generation.
I cried
I’ll skip the details and proudly say, I cried. There was this scene when all the issues build up and you’ll feel like letting out a loud “HUHUHU.” I saw how everyone in the movie house reached for tissues – even the guys in front of us! My heart really melted when Miguel was about to resolve the conflict like a grown up man. I saw Mae crying quietly also and understood why she wanted to watch it twice in the cinema.
The takeaways
For me, the morals of Coco are:
- Never let yourself be bitter.
- Life goes on even after someone you love leaves you.
- Your family only want the best for you.
- Love is supporting the other person in chasing his/her dreams.
- When you realize you messed up, don’t dwell on it, be responsible, then make it right.
Good job to Disney and Pixar for coming up with an animation adults would love! How often do you cry watching a cartoon? It takes a really good script, a universal conflict, and an unpredictable twist.
Watch it!
