The aspiring 12 year old musician Miguel, played by Anthony Gonzalez, singing El Latido de mi Corazón in the film Coco. Dedicated to my little ones on the day I sadly returned to work after my paternity time off. (Miss you little guys!)
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NOTE: Spoilers ahead.
I have always been a avid fan of Pixar films because they have the ability to humanize computer characters with such an effectiveness that they even bring you to tears. (The firsts 5 minutes of UP anyone?) For the longest, my all-time favorite Pixar movie was WALL-E. It had it all I thought. A great concept, a lesson for humanity and a set of characters that were unconventional in animated films. (A robot-trash compactor was the main character for crying out loud). But then along comes Coco came out and my beloved WALL-E immediately went down to 2nd place.
Coco is a very special film because it presents a very adult story (and a basic fact of life) that is all beautifully wrapped in the tradition that is Día de Muertos. A film for the whole family, in my mind, no other movie has elevated the value of a tradition that in its earnest reminds us all that death is a process of life; one which we must all come face to face one day. But beyond this somber idea, Coco also reminds us that even those who may no longer be here with us today, like Dia de Muertos, their memories still live on within us all. And that it is our families, generation after generation, which keep their memories, lessons, and ideals alive inside us all.
Death is a taboo subject in the United States. As a culture, we shy away from talking about it and even spend millions trying to delay the process. Coco on the other hand honors the dead and makes them central to the story. And it hones in on something that was customary in my upbringing; living with and honoring our elders. Instead of being pushed to a retired community, mama Coco lives with Miguel and family. She’s frail, prostrated and probably nearing the end of a long life. But instead of removing her from the picture, mama Coco is instead central to this movie; the link between the living and dead worlds.
I can tell you so many more things Coco did exceptionally well (the magical bridges that connect both worlds, the Mexican golden age of cinema references, the alebrijes, the meaning of a picture on an ofrenda, the passion for music, the generational divides… on and on) so I won’t bore you. But the one thing I do want to highlight is the role of language and how the Spanish version of this film is the one to watch as it portrays the culture in its earnest. For example, the music in the Spanish version of Coco accompanies and enhances the film further than its English cousin. For instance, the closing scene is packed with meaning and emotion and the music gives enhances and gives it a deeper meaning.
Looking at this scene: A year later during Dia de Muertos, the loss another family member saddens us all. But with the family now united and accepting of their love for music, Miguel begins to sing “El Latido de mi Corazón” or “Proud Corazón”. Below are the lyrics for the final verse:
| English | Spanish |
| Ay, mi familia, oiga, mi gente, Canten a coro, let it be known Our love for each other will live on forever, In every beat of my proud corazón |
Ay mi familia, oigami gente Canten a coro, nuestra canción Amor verdadero nos une por siempre, En el latido de mi corazón |
Beyond the fact that spanglish is being applied to the English version (it had to rhyme and relate to Mexican Americans!), the final two line on this verse are diluted in the English version. A literal translation (meaning wise) is:
True love unites us forever
In the heartbeat of my heart.
Sounds terrible for a musical verse, I know, but the meaning conveyed in the song in Spanish really describes the final scene: True love unites family via the heart. Take a look at the last scene in Spanish:
Pixar got many of the references correct and highlighted everyday Latin values, language and culture to a larger American audience; vindicating itself from previous mishaps. It pays homage to a beautiful and meaningful Mexican tradition and tells a story of what family is all about. It reminds everyone that we are the results of a past and we are connected to it via memories and the emotions of the hear. And it does so in a respectful way, teaching its audience about a culture while at the same time connecting with them via shared values like family, unity and tradition. Being part of a strong family with lots of tradition and respect for our heritage, I often take such ideals for granted. They are the norm. This movie reminded me of such things, and the real meaning of their value.
Coco brought me to tears because it reminded me of my very own abuela and the life I once shared with that amazing woman. It helped me recall the lessons my abuela thought me, lessons which today I proudly pass on to my kids . And to be able to talk about past family, such memories and such rights of passage with my little ones, thanks to this movie, I can honestly say Coco is the best animated film in my corazón.
