‘Encanto’ is a modern masterpiece of anthropology, exploring the patterns of pressure we put on each other and on ourselves.
When I first saw the adverts for the 2021 Disney animation, I was drawn in by the colours, the sense of magic, the strength in the postures of the characters, and the slightly awkwardly apologetic expression on the main character’s face.
It was clear this was going to be story of fantastical adventure and something my four-year-old and three-year-old would really enjoy, not to mention myself and my teenager.
The Family Madrigal, although blessed with magical powers, exhibit many familial traits we can all relate to. There’s the sibling rivalry, expectations, secrets, power struggle, insecurities, and togetherness typical of any extended family.
As we step into childhood, we are introduced to imaginative play, magic and mystery, and stories of superheroes and magical powers have intrigued us throughout the ages, regardless of cultural differences. Films like ‘Encanto’ allow us to escape into an alternative reality which brings up questions like ‘If I had magical powers what would they be?’
The Madrigal Family are clearly important members of their community, helping the other villagers by using their varied gifts. What is striking about this film in contrast with traditional superhero stories is that the protagonist, Mirabel, is the one who was denied a magical power.
How many of us feel at one point or another in our lives that we aren’t special in comparison with those around us? Or even worse, that there’s something wrong with us or that we are inherently flawed in some way?
Mirabel’s character is important because she embodies the seemingly ordinary yet goes on to do the extraordinary, and that is an important message for us all.
Each of the family members in Encanto experience the pressure which goes with their individual gifts; Tio Bruno is rejected because people don’t want to hear his truths, the grandmother feels she has to be strong and strict while living with the fear of losing her family again, Luisa carries the family’s burdens – literally, and Isabella feels compelled to live up to everyone’s expectations of her perfection.
We are often encouraged by our elders and our peers by being told how good we are at certain things –
‘Aren’t you clever!’
‘You’re so smart’
‘You’re so good at art’
‘Sports is really your thing’
Comments like these, although well intended, put an enormous pressure on our children, and as a Life Coach for teens and young adults I see the effects of this over and over.
When someone has been branded with excellence in a field, they often enter fixed mindset and feel like they must be excellent in that field every time. They fear failure or rejection, or letting someone down, and if they don’t achieve perfection according to their own pressurised standards one time, it can be enough for them to lose confidence, doubt their self-identity and give up.
Isabella’s character embodies universal perfectionism. Everybody sees her as perfect – in terms of beauty, behaviour and accomplishments. She creates ‘rows of roses’ and makes ‘perfect, practiced poses’, but as she says, ‘so much hides behind [her] smile’.
Like many of us, Isabella is so practiced in doing the same things over and over to be perfect and safe within her limits - she is left unfulfilled. She is about to marry a man she doesn’t love to please the family, her relationship with her sister is fractured, and her soul yearns for something more.
By letting Mirabel in, Isabella can lean into her feelings rather than hiding them – it is only through acknowledging our thoughts and feelings that we can start to explore who we want to become. The delight and freedom Isabella discovers from creating new and imperfect life is the takeaway for the perfectionist in us all – when we break free from our own inner critics and use our creativity when we’re ‘deeply, madly, truly in the moment’, there’s no limit to how far we can rise.
Mirabel’s other sister, Luisa, is another example of self-imposed pressure. This time, the character exhibits enormous strength. She is a local hero, she supports her friends and family without complaint, and tirelessly dedicates herself to others. I know from personal experience what it’s like to be told ‘you’re so strong’, and while again it’s seemingly a compliment, it can beg the unspoken question ‘but why do I have to be?’
When questioned by Mirabel we find out what is bubbling ‘under the surface’ for Luisa. She is terrified that her identity is completely tied up with her physical strength; ‘I’m pretty sure I’m worthless if I can’t be of service’. How many of us reach burnout, exhaustion, or depression in the pursuit of being strong and living up to expectations.
People don’t like being questioned - we want to be right, and we want to feel that investments we have made have been the right ones. It is hard therefore to let go of behaviours and patterns we carry, even if they are doing us harm, because there is a fear that we will be ‘nothing’ without them - cue workaholics, addicts, and breakdowns.
Luisa’s character is a reminder for us to reassess the burdens we are carrying and assess the truth of our jobs being our identities. There is most strength in exploring our feelings and emotions. By taking more care of ourselves, we are better able to take care of others.
Our children are taught to -
‘be good’
‘share nicely’
‘look after your little sister’
‘tidy up’
As parents we can learn to set examples of self-care by showing our children the importance of setting healthy boundaries, as well as encouraging them to explore their emotions and communicating their needs.
Unlike more traditional superhero stories, ‘Encanto’ makes it clear that we all have our own gifts which can be a blessing or a hindrance depending on our mindset, and if we try to hold onto expectations too tightly, things start to fall apart.
A touching addition to the film is the sub story of the two caterpillars in love, full of hunger in an ever-changing world. They are separated by the natural need to transform. They are reminded ‘not to hold on too tight’. The caterpillars must do what they must do for themselves by building their own chrysalis and growing into their most authentic selves. By doing this, they can come back together and move forward to live their dreams. ‘Hay que volar, hay que encontrar su propio futuro.’
Abuela Alma Madrigal has experienced trauma after losing her husband in war-torn Colombia. When we lose something important to us or experience trauma, it is natural to hold on to what we have all the more for fear of more loss. Inevitably this leads to self-sabotage – just as any of the negative emotions – blame, jealousy, anger, victim mode… they become all consuming and prevent us from growing.
What is most magical about this film is that it is the ‘unspecial’ one who helps all the others to see who they truly are beneath the pressure and expectations. Their ‘magic’ is lost, only to be reinvented and strengthened, and it turns out the more we can embrace the journey of self-discovery than the results, the more powerful and happy we become.
As Mirabel’s grandmother says at the end of the film ‘the miracle is you’.
By Charli Lucas
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