No one doubts that both Disney and Pixar have contributed to animated films some of the best stories in recent cinema (With permission to Studio Ghibli and Dreamworks ). Unlike Disney, Pixar had always focused on making films more familiar than children’s, with daring characters and worlds always marked by a strong message. The top of this premise was reached by the producer of the flexo with Soul , the narrative about souls that deepened to the maximum a plot that surely most children have not fully understood. This is consequently not a bad thing, and neither is going back to certain of the animated origins in one of the summer movies. Luca bases his essence on a portrait of pure heart and candid sentiment.
Any film that was not born in the commercial animation wave of the 1990s, Luca bases his character structure on the differentiation of worlds for easy role development. In this specific case, the story is told in an Italian coastal and fishing village in Italy. In the depths of its waters, live sea monsters that are not really far from human behavior. One of them, named Luca, is curious to want to see and discover that world, but never dares to get out of the water. The protagonist will meet Alberto with whom he will live an intense friendship based on the discovery of the world and that will make him jump all his fears and complexes. The two only convert when they touch the water and it will be when they meet Giulia on land, the moment in which they will be motivated to win the prize of the summer race. Money for their long-awaited Vespa, a symbol of freedom with which they can go anywhere they want.
Nostalgia for the symbols of freedom
Although Luca takes a little longer to start showing too much a marine world that does not interest the viewer so much , it is in the construction of his characters and elements of his story that are easily understood by everyone, where he finds his greatest virtue. Simplicity brings honesty to a story of children who dream and create bonds, reminding us of those pure childhood friendships.
There are many readings that can be made of a film like Luca . Beyond the fact that the story may contain an LGTBI background or that it is simply a story about friendship, the essence is the same: feeling accepted or rejected being different is an idea that we all understand. Luca is also something simple and evident in its symbols, but since when in childhood have things been complicated? The scooter, the stars and the town of Portobello connect wonderfully with the simple and soulful dreams that have made Disney recover the essence of its animation.
