Coco has themes of family drama, fantasy, and adventure, as most of the movie takes place in the afterlife. Particularly, in the Land of The Remembered, where the main character, a boy named Miguel, ends up traveling to by pure accident. Coco is the name of his great-grandmother, whose father he is trying to find in the underworld because her father was the only musician in his family. Miguel wants to see him so he can finally have support from a family member to pursue music.
Coco
Coco is a movie made by Pixar and released by Disney in 2017, representing Mexican culture and themes of family. It is notably set when Dia De Los Muertos, or, the Day of the Dead, takes place. Miguel is a little boy who has good bonds with all of his family members, except for when it comes to music. He is an aspiring musician but has been practicing his guitar and singing in secret, because his entire family, especially his abuela, are against music.
This is because Miguel’s great-great-grandfather, the father of his great-grandmother Coco, was a musician. He was believed to have abandoned his family and is never spoken of, to make him forgotten. Nobody aside from his great Abuelita Coco knows what he looks like, but Coco’s memory is deteriorating due to her age.
Musical Family Roots
Miguel’s Hope
At the beginning of the movie, Miguel suspects that Coco’s father is the famous musician, Ernesto de La Cruz. Miguel assumes he inherited his musical aspirations from him after seeing a photo of his mariachi uniform. He soon gets the answers after arriving at the Land of The Remembered. Ernesto de la Cruz stole his songs from Miguel’s real great-great-grandfather, Hector. He was the reason Hector never returned to his family.
A Resentful Melody
Miguel at first was resentful of having a family that wouldn’t allow him to pursue his passions and rejected his heritage. He soon goes through a great deal of realizing how much he fits in with his family after hearing his great-great-grandmother, Imelda, sing. She reveals she used to love music, and why she married Hector, but they had different priorities. She was the one who banned music in the family and created the shoemaking business they are now known for.
Imelda ends up singing again on stage, with all her heart, to help Miguel and Hector. After learning the truth about Hector’s disappearance, she forgives her husband. Miguel then receives Imelda’s blessing to pursue music, returning to the Land of The Living. Before Hector can be forgotten by his daughter, Miguel sings Hector’s lullaby to Coco, causing her to remember him. Coco then has the rest of the family remember Hector because she kept his torn face piece.
The Land of the Remembered
The creators of the film Coco studied Mexican culture by going on a research trip to Mexico for three years. Director Lee Unkrich and the team visited public places throughout the country. Even visiting the homes of Mexican families who kindly welcomed them. This is how they perfectly replicated the dynamics of Miguel’s family. From the food and music to the traditions and meaning of family in a Mexican household.
The Ofrenda
The ofrenda is very symbolic and an important item for Mexican households during Dia De Los Muertos, including introducing Hector’s character. His family photo on top of the ofrenda is shown with his face torn off to show the viewers how hated he was. Near the end of Coco, after Miguel learns of Hector’s identity, he begs the boy to put his photo on the altar. Their desperation to fulfill the condition is understood when Chicarron fades as the living forgotten him. It’s depicted in Mexican culture as dying in the afterlife.
The Colorful Afterlife
The Land of the Remembered, or Land of The Dead, was inspired by the vibrant cities the research team visited. Unkrich wanted to avoid a cliche world where everything is weird, and colorful without structure. This led to the theme of an ever-expanding realm with buildings on giant spirals forever growing out of the water. It was inspired by Mexico City’s ancient history of being built upon Aztec cities. And the bright colors match how death can be beautiful and should be celebrated.
Conclusion
Miguel’s growth to pursue music helped him push his family’s resentment. By meeting his dead relatives in La Tierra De Los Recordados, learning their history helped him mature. The audience is taught family values in a touching manner. Ernesto was Hector’s best friend but took his life and his songs while Imelda took his absence as abandonment. Her pain was passed down for many generations afterward. Miguel broke this vicious cycle, restoring his Abuelita Coco’s faith in Hector’s return.
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