The Dynamics of Hope in Unkrich and Molina’s Coco

Chia-Chi Chien,Ya-Huei Wang

doi:10.9744/kata.22.2.79-83

Abstract

This study analyzes how the characters in Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina’s animated film Coco, mainly Mamá Imelda, Héctor, and Miguel, manage their emotional responses when they are facing loss, bereavement, or other significant changes in their lives. The study uses Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five-stage model of grief to analyze how these characters go through the grieving process. Moreover, in order to suggest how those who are grieving can enter into positive states of mind, the study expands on Kübler-Ross’s original model by incorporating a positive mindset of hope. In dialogue with Unkrich and Molina’s film, the study uses Kübler-Ross’s ideas to explore coping mechanisms that can help manage difficult times in life, while also suggesting the benefits of maintaining a positive mindset through hope.

Highlights

Grief refers to the emotional experience or response of a person who may have suffered the loss of someone or something, or who may be experiencing the form of bereavement that attends the approach of his or her own death (Boerner et al, 2016)
In order to further understand the grief response, the study intends to analyze Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina’s animated film Coco (2017), which falls within the genre of fantasy, telling the extraordinary story of what happens one Día de Muertos—the Mexican “Day of Dead” holiday
For a closer consideration of how the film portrays Mamá Imelda’s, Miguel’s, and Héctor’s experiences of loss, bereavement, and grief, this study uses the modified version of Kübler-Ross’s five-stage model of grief to analyze the emotional stages experienced by the characters in Coco, and further demonstrate how those who are grieving can be helped by maintaining a positive mindset associated with hope

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Grief refers to the emotional experience or response of a person who may have suffered the loss of someone or something, or who may be experiencing the form of bereavement that attends the approach of his or her own death (Boerner et al, 2016). Having argued that people tend to go through these responses, in one sequence or another, when trying to cope with difficult times, Kübler-Ross (1969; 1997) These intricate circumstances in Coco involve different kinds of grief; the characters are caught up in various situations involving bereavement, loss, and significant changes in their lives—and even after their deaths. For a closer consideration of how the film portrays Mamá Imelda’s, Miguel’s, and Héctor’s experiences of loss, bereavement, and grief, this study uses the modified version of Kübler-Ross’s five-stage model of grief to analyze the emotional stages experienced by the characters in Coco, and further demonstrate how those who are grieving can be helped by maintaining a positive mindset associated with hope. He is able to pursue his larger dream of becoming a musician

THE DYNAMICS OF HOPE IN COCO

CONCLUSION