Music connects people through lyrics and rhythm; family binds us through genes, blood, and love.
Coco is one of my favorite movies because it made me experience a roller coaster of emotion while I was watching it. Although it’s fictional, some of us would probably fit in the shoes of the characters based on some events in the story that are undeniably relatable.
WE ARE ALL MIGUEL
We all have been twelve years old, and during that stage, most of us have had seen what and who will we become in the future. The same goes for Miguel Rivera, a boy who dreamed of becoming a musician even though his family hates music; they even banned and prohibited anyone in their family from playing any musical instrument.
Despite that, Miguel didn’t stop dreaming of becoming a famous musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. He even went too far just to achieve his dream… going against the family rule: NO MUSIC.
THINK BEFORE ACTING
It was the desire to be a musician that made Miguel borrow Dela Cruz’s guitar from his mausoleum and give it a strum, hence cursing and turning him into a spirit who went on his journey to the land of the dead.
We all have that desire that makes us commit hilarious deeds (sometimes) just for us to reach our goal. It doesn’t matter what it takes and how we make it through as long as we achieve that goal; unfortunately, we could act on impulse without thinking of the consequences. Oh, the inner stubborn child in us.
SOMEONE LOOKED UP TO
For Miguel, Ernesto de la Cruz was the best musician. Little did he know that behind his success, his greatest lie was buried six feet below the ground with him.
*We all have secrets we wish to hide, but those skeletons in the cupboards will always show themselves at the right time. Not all great people we wish to be like are angels; some of them are wolves in sheep’s clothing. *
REALIZATION
We won’t realize the severity of our actions unless something bad happens to us. Upon being turned into a spirit, Miguel needed to find a way to get back to the land of the living before it was too late, and he only had twenty-four hours to do so.
When we engage in troublesome deeds, we think of no other people to save us but our family.
He found his dead relatives there and asked them to bring him back. However, he didn’t like the idea that they will give him their blessings with the condition that he mustn't play music, so he ran away and tagged with the stranger named Hector.
There are times that family members dictate to us what and who we should be because they think it’s best for us; it’s because of love they could forget that we should be given a chance to choose our destiny. And, on some occasions, we get no support from our family because we’re going against their will. Our support system can come from a total stranger.
TRUTH HURTS
Hector helped Miguel to find Ernesto because the boy thought he was his late great-great-grandfather. Finding Ernesto could mean Miguel going back to the land of the living, having his blessing of playing music. But instead of getting Ernesto’s blessing, Miguel and Hector almost end up losers. They found out the truth behind Ernesto’s greed, treachery, and betrayal.
There are people blinded with greed that they could do whatever it takes to get what they want, even if it means harming the people who trust them. And often, those whom we thought are our friends could be the worst traitor we come across with.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY
When the truth and secrets were unraveled, Miguel's family sent him back home with the blessing with no conditions, which means that he could be whoever he wants to be. After all, being a part of a family means being always there for the family. _
