We Do not Talk About Bruno is a song that reveals many details about Brunos relationship with the Madrigal family and highlights a major problem. In Disneys Encanto Carmillos Bruno form reveals the biggest Madrigal problem. In the fantastic ensemble song We Dont Talk About Bruno the Madrigal family explains their issues with Bruno. Until this point in the film Bruno is whispered about but the big song reveals a lot of the backstory for the character in a climatic moment. However this song talks about the familys perceptions of Bruno rather than Bruno himself.
During We Dont Talk About Bruno each family member describes a vision of Brunos which they use to villainize him. When Carmillo shapeshift to look like a version of Bruno it is particularly frightening since it is the part of the song that focuses on Brunos supposedly spooky appearance. In Encanto Carmillos power to shapeshift is utilized many times before this scene but this is the only time where Carmillos form differs drastically from the actual person.
In We Dont Talk About Bruno Carmillos Bruno form is all green which is the same green as Brunos powers. While it could be argued that Carmillos Bruno form is exaggerated for spookiness it is important to note that when the audience sees Bruno use his powers his eyes turn green but the rest of his body remains flesh-colored. Carmillos interpretation of Bruno is connected purely to his powers and the exaggeration of the green demonstrates that interpretation clearly. Since Brunos powers prophesize the future Carmillo and his family seem to misinterpret the prophecies as curses rather than predictions that Bruno may not have any control over. In Encanto this is made even more evident in Carmillos verse in We Dont Talk About Bruno with the line He sees your dreams and feasts on your screams. This line implies that Carmillos interpretation of Bruno is one that uses his powers intentionally maliciously.
Carmillo isnt the only Madrigal who defines Bruno by his powers. However Carmillos Bruno form points to the key issue of the Madrigal family seeing the individual members as just their powers. This is the issue that nearly tears the family apart. This commentary is made the clearest with Alma who is obsessed with keeping the Madrigal magic even at the expense of her familys happiness. Early in Encanto Alma blames Mirabel for Madrigals fading powers without realizing the damage she is causing to Mirabel herself. Mirabels lack of powers isolates her from the rest of her family and since her family only sees each member as their power Mirabel feels like she does not have a role to play in the family.
Towards the end of Encanto Mirabel realizes she does not need a gift and helps Alma understand the error of her ways. When the Madrigal home falls apart Alma learns to treasure her family members as individuals. The last song All of You further underlines this point with the line You are more than just your gift. All of the grand childrens suffering starts to heal and Bruno is reintegrated into the family.
Disneys Encanto is full of visual symbols that enrich the animated film. The use of color in Encanto is used to convey more than just the Madrigals powers. Brunos green symbolize his powers but also Carmillos monstrous perception of him. This perception is shared by the other members of the Madrigal family but eventually they learn that Bruno is more than just his gift.
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