I found it much more complex that met the eye (oddly, as a lot of these tales are) and I wondered about the use of people’s powers for the community. They serve as kind of a crutch because structures are built around them. From river-routing to healing to horticulture, the Madrigals do it all. There’s power and control, which is Abuela’s way, but it’s also unbearable and no one but Mirabel is able to peel back the layers and learn that the home and the family are truly ready to crack.
And we need to talk about Bruno! When one of the little kids said “I think your power is denial”, I thought, hmm, that sounds like foreshadowing. Abuela is in denial and wanted to see the future as she wanted, not the way it would be. Bruno told the truth people didn’t want to hear and in essence, that rejection of reality comes from Abuela. His character has such a messy story. Wow.
I found it much more complex that met the eye (oddly, as a lot of these tales are) and I wondered about the use of people’s powers for the community. They serve as kind of a crutch because structures are built around them. From river-routing to healing to horticulture, the Madrigals do it all. There’s power and control, which is Abuela’s way, but it’s also unbearable and no one but Mirabel is able to peel back the layers and learn that the home and the family are truly ready to crack.
And we need to talk about Bruno! When one of the little kids said “I think your power is denial”, I thought, hmm, that sounds like foreshadowing. Abuela is in denial and wanted to see the future as she wanted, not the way it would be. Bruno told the truth people didn’t want to hear and in essence, that rejection of reality comes from Abuela. His character has such a messy story. Wow.