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Mirabel's Gift

I'm sure you've seen Encanto. It was really big 3(ish) years ago. I remember because the current seniors were freshmen and wouldn't stop singing We Don't Talk about Bruno (watch this cool video about how the song works). I know this post seems a little late to the game, but I just finished watching Brooklyn 99 and how crazy is it that Stefanie Beatriz is the voice of Mirabel and Rosa?

Anyway, one of the things that feels most unfair about the movie is that Mirabel doesn't get a gift. Here's my take: Mirabel does have a gift. Extreme empathy. She can literally enter people's minds!


Let's take a look at this. Really watch Mirabel in these songs:

Talking with Luisa


Talking with Pepa and Felix


Talking with Abuela

This is more than just normal song and dance fantasy numbers from musicals. She is entering into her family's thoughts and memories. She's an active participant in some of the scenes in their heads.

This explains a whole lot:
  • No one notices the gift because it's not a flashy as other gifts (an important part of empathy).
  • Mirabel doesn't notice because she has no way of knowing that others can't enter others' thoughts like she can. That's sort of why it took me so long to figure out my face blindness.
  • She doesn't get her own room because the whole house is her room (this is made explicit at the end of the movie, but I argue it was true the whole time). 
    • Casita responds to her in a completely different way to the other family members. 
    • If she had her own room, it would isolate her from others and prevent her from using her gift.
It's ultimately Mirabel's ability to relate to others that saves the Encanto.

PS: How did Bruno ever figure out his gift? It's such a production for him to see the future, I'm not sure how he ever determined what was necessary.




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