The new Pixar movie "Coco" has been killing it in the box office. And when I finally got to see it, I could totally understand why. This movie is not only visually delightful with an interesting plot, it is totally accurate in its depiction of Mexican culture. Here are 9 times Coco was accurate af.
1. Family
Coco is centered on the importance of family in Mexican culture, which could not be more accurate. Family loyalty in Mexican families is everything. Everything.
2. Chancla
Does anyone remember watching Coco and seeing Miguel’s grandmother whip out her chancla and getting childhood flashbacks? It’s a universal thing in Mexican culture: the chancla.
3. Obedience
Miguel is expected to share his families’ ideals when it comes to hating music and obeying no matter what. I think this is something that is totally accurate. If your family expects something of you, you listen.
4. Dante
Dante, the dog and Miguel’s trusty companion, roams the streets of Miguel’s town. If you have been to Mexico, this is a daily occurrence. Strays everywhere…
5. Día de Muertos
The depiction of the importance of The Day of The Dead in Mexican culture is spot on and Coco did an amazing job of showing how great and visually dynamic the day is. From the altars to the skull Katrina makeup, the visual images in Coco enveloped the audience in exactly what this day looks like.
6. Town Square
The emphasis of life on the streets of the town in Coco totally took me back to my small Mexican hometown. The Mercado, the center of town, the shoe shiners and merchants – it was all totally spot on.
7. Fierce Women
Coco started with Miguel’s great great grandmother responding to being left by her husband not by sitting around and crying, but by being a total badass and creating her own means of supporting her daughter. The women in Mexican culture are fierce and strong and I loved that this movie showed that off.
8. Tamale dinner scene
The scene where the family is having dinner together and eating delicious tamales is so dang accurate I can’t stand it. Miguel tells his grandmother he doesn’t want anymore and she gives him that look that any Mexican woman would give: the “Oh yes you do” look. She then gives him a heaping pile of seconds.
9. Music
Mexicans love music. And Coco was about 2 things: Family and music. Check check.
