This magic is real

Columnists don’t typically tread on one another’s territories. It’s just bad form and defeats the purpose of having regular columnists on expected topics that readers count on.

I’m about to violate that.

Tyler Wilson is the Press’s movie guru. For years in these pages, and now in Saturday’s Coeur Voice section, Tyler delivers well-written movie reviews for all ages and tastes. Sorry, Tyler.

Mine is supposed to be the research column. Tyler doesn’t do that, and I don’t do movies. Except …

I recently watched “Encanto.” It just won’t leave my head. I think I figured out why and I need to write about it.

Like most Disney cartoon movies, it was visually captivating, well scripted, beautifully drawn (do we still say “drawn”?). Musically, it was quite exceptional, thanks to Lin Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton” fame.

But that’s not what stuck.

Superficially, Encanto is about an enchanted house and a family gifted with magic powers. Intrinsically, Encanto is about life lessons we tend to forget, and which our families, communities and nation could do with reminding:

1. One person can’t know what another’s life experience is like.
2. Appearances are deceiving; “perfect” neither exists nor can be expected.
3. Jealousy, stress and divisive relationships result from not understanding 1 and 2.
4. A house (community, nation, world) divided will always fall.
5. The second most important element of successful relationships is mutual support.

And the biggest – drum roll, please:

6.The most important is communication, exchanged with civility and compassion.

As you can imagine, all six lessons were delivered subtly, musically, delightfully and in an array of bright colors (with remarkable dancing flair). We didn’t feel like we were learning anything; we just enjoyed the ride.

But in the end, Encanto’s very loving and ethical family still found it had wounds to heal. And the salve was 1-6, especially 6.

Open communication, with ears wide open, is the real magic.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email Sholeh@cdapress.com.