It’s a feeling that’s all too familiar, particularly when thrust into a new situation or environment—the feeling of being a fish out of water. On both a metaphorical and a literal level, Disney’s newest animated feature Luca (2021) explores the complexities of this feeling by following the journey of the titular main character Luca (Jacob Tremblay), along with his newfound friend Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer), as they embark on a coming-of-age journey of self-discovery. This is made difficult only in the fact that the two are sea monsters, who must disguise themselves as humans in order to compete in the Portorosso Cup, win themselves a mighty Vespa, and then travel the Italian countryside together. Directed by Enrico Casarosa, the film has a stunning animation style, lovable characters, and an engaging and emotional plot, making Luca definitely well worth the watch, and sure to make for a great family movie night.
Se in the fictional seaside town of Portorosso, which was inspired by the Italian Riviera, the film boasts a smooth and vibrant animation style in order to capture the whimsical and summery atmosphere of the seaside town. The first few scenes stand out in particular, as they are set in Luca’s underwater reef home. The attention to detail in the animation of the reef—the bubbling effect when the characters swim, kelp forests, and light reflections all led to an immersive yet stylised setting which was engaging to watch, and sure to keep the attention of younger viewers. This vibrancy within the surrounding environment extended to the character designs too, as Luca and Alberto were animated with defined blue and purple scales—ensuring that the two were recognisable amongst the expansive settings, and adding to their intrigue and appeal as main characters.
Along with this, it was the endearing personalities of both Luca and Alberto that led to an immediate emotional connection between the audience and the two main characters. While Luca encapsulates the more reserved and anxious side of adolescence, Alberto is the driving force of adventure—the one that is prone to accidents and mistakes, but that takes the lead and sets plans in motion. The quick friendship that these two establish, and the emotional journey they embark on together leads to a coming-of-age narrative that centres around embracing individuality, and being accepting of diversity. In the context of a fun, summer adventure, it’s a story that feels both down to earth and recognisable, and resonated in a particularly sentimental and nostalgic way for me as an older viewer.
At its heart, Luca is a film about being true to yourself and to others, even in the face of adversity. As sea monsters posing as humans in the town of Portorosso, there’s plenty of humorous and entertaining hijinks at foot, which balances nicely with those overarching themes of self-discovery and growth. It’s a perfect film to enjoy with friends or family, with enough light-hearted humour to make for an enjoyable and easy watch, but just enough emotional depth to make for an impactful and resonant narrative.
Luca is now available to stream exclusively on Disney+.