As someone who’s been an avid Disney fan for her entire life, I of course went to theaters to watch Encanto, the newest Disney animated movie that’s captured the hearts of viewers around the world and brought much deserved attention to Colombian culture.
Not only was I pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the characters and the rich culture portrayed throughout the movie, but the soundtrack was simply unforgettable. This doesn’t come as a shock given that Lin-Manuel Miranda was behind it, but it’s still unbelievable that Encanto’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” has officially surpassed Frozen’s “Let it Go” as the most successful and popular song from a Disney animated movie in more than two decades.
As the current No.1 song on Spotify and viral audio on TikTok, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is more than just a catchy tune we can’t stop singing. Rather, it tells a gossipy story of why the Madrigal family doesn’t talk about Tío (uncle) Bruno- at least not in front of Abuela (grandma)! The mystery behind Bruno is building throughout the movie until this point when protagonist Mirabel Madrigal starts explicitly asking her family questions about his disappearance and the family’s history.
Through its salsa-pop and back-and-forth style, this song’s momentum continues to build not only our interest in the infamous Bruno but also the various characters that are telling us the story. According to Miranda, each character in the song is singing with a different rhythm and cadence, which is also a part of what makes this song so unique, with each verse introducing us to a new character’s view of Bruno.
All in all, this song isn’t just a catchy tune, but rather a creative musical narrative within a larger, more meaningful story of the Madrigal family. I might be a little biased in saying this because of my aforementioned love for Disney, but this movie was the perfect balance of emotions, magic and everything in between. This movie was an important stride in inclusivity and diversity, and also touched on sensitive topics such as the manifestation of intergenerational trauma, the pressure of being an older sister and even the need for many to prove themselves to their families. No matter how old you are, what kind of movies you normally watch or whether or not you’ve experienced living in an immigrant household, Encanto has something unique to offer every viewer.