Matthew Aldrich, the co-writer of Pixar's 'Coco,' shares insights into the film's rich themes of family, legacy, and remembrance. He discusses the early musical version of the film and the significance of the villain Ernesto de la Cruz, who embodies the pitfalls of seeking fame over family. Aldrich delves into the emotional weight of the song 'Remember Me,' which resonates powerfully in the story. He highlights the impact of cultural traditions, like the Day of the Dead, in shaping the narrative and promoting essential conversations about loss.
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Ernesto's Hollow Remembrance
Ernesto de la Cruz represents the pursuit of fame as a hollow form of remembrance.
He prioritizes adoration over love, highlighting the difference between celebrity and genuine connection.
question_answer ANECDOTE
De la Cruz's Inspiration
Inspiration for Ernesto de la Cruz came from Mexican cinema icons and Bruce Springsteen's impact on Aldrich's hometown.
The character embodies what Miguel could become if he abandoned his family for fame.
insights INSIGHT
Hector's Counterbalance
Hector, always seeking to return home, counterbalances Miguel's outward focus on fame.
Their agreement to help each other creates the story's central dynamic.
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For a film built around a song titled Remember Me, Pixar's Coco sure has proven absolutely unforgettable in the seven years since its release. Directed by past Script Apart guest Lee Unkrich, the animation told the story of Miguel – a young boy voiced by Anthony Gonzalez who is accidentally transported to the Land of the Dead, where he seeks the help of his deceased musician great-great-grandfather to return him to his family and reverse their ban on music. It’s quite simply one of the richest and boldest family movies of all time, confronting ideas around death, legacy and remembrance in a way that moved the needle culturally in this way that only Pixar can. Much like how Inside Out gave parents a framework for talking to their kids about emotions, Coco is renowned today as a text that helps facilitate conversations with children about what it means when someone passes away.
In the conversation you’re about to hear, co-writer Matthew Aldrich drops by to break down the film in detail. We discuss the musical version of the film that was in development before he joined the project. We get into how the film’s villain, Ernesto Del La Cruz, represents the folly of chasing the wrong sort of remembrance: a remembrance of celebrity and fame, rather than family. And you’ll hear about what makes Remember Me such a beautiful part of Coco – the genesis of that astounding piece of music, that lands like a gut punch when we hear it for the final time in act three.
Script Apart is hosted by Al Horner and produced by Kamil Dymek. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, or email us on thescriptapartpodcast@gmail.com.
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