“Behold, children, the glorious beauty of Mexico!” – The Book of Life
Although it is often compared to Disney’s Coco (2017) in a way that disparages it as being inferior, I adore The Book of Life (2014) and view both films as utterly charming in their own unique ways. Of course, both are set in Mexico and have musicians as part of their respective plots. And yes, that whole Day of the Dead thing is going on with each of them as well. But after all that, they part ways. For the sheer audacity of its art direction as well as some very funny (and perhaps, not wholly appropriate for children) scenes that feature a surprising cast of voice talents, The Book of Life won over my heart in 2014.
The classic story of a love triangle gets whirled into something that defies geometry by the ingenious director Jorge R. Gutiérrez (Maya and the Three) who also wrote the screenplay with Doug Langdale. Add Guillermo del Toro as one of the film’s producers and you know you’re getting a darkly amusing, quirky and macabre treat. Diego Luna plays Manolo, Zoe Saldana plays his love Maria, and Channing Tatum plays his best pal and rival for her affections, Joaquin.
All our three protagonists grapple with the expectations that their respective families have for them. As Joaquin says to Manolo at one point, “There are some big shadows we live under, huh, buddy?” In addition to their personal struggles, the three have attracted the attention of the supernatural pair of La Muerte (Kate del Castillo) and her consort, Xibalba (Ron Perlman, to the surprise of no one.)
A friendly wager between these two leaders of the Underworld on the Day of the Dead set all the action in motion for the rest of the film. If it sounds like a lot, it is, but it is told like an epic oral history by the framing motif of a museum guide talking to children which proves to be effective and engaging.
I’m sure no one had Placido Domingo co-starring with Cheech Marin as voice talents in an animated film on their 2014 casting bingo card, but he is marvelous, and yes, he gets to sing a little. But it is Diego Luna’s singing that captivates here. If his simple and sincere version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” doesn’t make you melt, you might want to check your pulse and your surroundings to make sure you haven’t entered the “Land of the Remembered.” Paul Williams contributed two original songs to the film and his “Apology Song”, also sung by Luna, almost stops the film in its tracks.
The Book of Life is not about death, but about love. Love for family, for each other and, as the “Apology Song” tells, even for the animals that coexist with us. It is a beautiful message, especially as it is shown that death is not to be feared if one has been loved because then they will be remembered and honored. Even a small child will not have trouble understanding that, but it is perhaps all the more powerful for the adults who share The Book of Life with them.