When trailers for this film dropped, there was already hype because even at first glance, the subtext that this film evoked regarding gay experience was clear. The film never makes any such allusions explicit and somehow apparently didn't even intend it, but it neatly fits into such readings.
Luca is a young sea monster who finds himself on the surface after meeting a fellow, Alberto, who has experienced secluded surface life and human form for a while. The two boys develop an instant adorable connection and form dreams of the future exploring the world together. When Luca's parents find out what he's been doing and threaten to send him to his uncle in the deep, Luca escapes to the surface and goes to the town of Portorosso with Alberto, where they learn the prize from the local triathlon could fund their dreams. They're antagonized by a wimpy Gaston figure stirring up sea-monster fear and join forces with Giulia, a girl their age. The boys are compelled to hide their true nature while water surrounds them and changes them back, and Alberto struggles to accept Luca's interest in the human world and closeness to Giulia.
The gay reading of the story feels very obvious despite the film not setting out to tell a gay story. The circumstances and character writing make it read very sweetly as a movie about two boys who develop feelings for each other while feeling forced to remain closeted, and the two are still close at the end. If you wanted a Pixar film with queer themes, this one has 'em even by accident, and until Disney stops pandering to regressive nations, Luca will probably be the best rep we get.
I also like the animation a lot. The art style is different from the standard Disney or Pixar formula, and there are some great fantasy sequences as well.
So yeah. This feels like Pixar's first queer movie even though it may not have tried to be, and under that lens, it ironically feels far more genuine and meaningful than most cases of "not saying it" representation. It's a cute movie, and the way it reads and how people have embraced it ought to be taken as a sign to make the rep intentional next time.
WesternAnimation Extremely charming and a kind of representation.
When trailers for this film dropped, there was already hype because even at first glance, the subtext that this film evoked regarding gay experience was clear. The film never makes any such allusions explicit and somehow apparently didn't even intend it, but it neatly fits into such readings.
Luca is a young sea monster who finds himself on the surface after meeting a fellow, Alberto, who has experienced secluded surface life and human form for a while. The two boys develop an instant adorable connection and form dreams of the future exploring the world together. When Luca's parents find out what he's been doing and threaten to send him to his uncle in the deep, Luca escapes to the surface and goes to the town of Portorosso with Alberto, where they learn the prize from the local triathlon could fund their dreams. They're antagonized by a wimpy Gaston figure stirring up sea-monster fear and join forces with Giulia, a girl their age. The boys are compelled to hide their true nature while water surrounds them and changes them back, and Alberto struggles to accept Luca's interest in the human world and closeness to Giulia.
The gay reading of the story feels very obvious despite the film not setting out to tell a gay story. The circumstances and character writing make it read very sweetly as a movie about two boys who develop feelings for each other while feeling forced to remain closeted, and the two are still close at the end. If you wanted a Pixar film with queer themes, this one has 'em even by accident, and until Disney stops pandering to regressive nations, Luca will probably be the best rep we get.
I also like the animation a lot. The art style is different from the standard Disney or Pixar formula, and there are some great fantasy sequences as well.
So yeah. This feels like Pixar's first queer movie even though it may not have tried to be, and under that lens, it ironically feels far more genuine and meaningful than most cases of "not saying it" representation. It's a cute movie, and the way it reads and how people have embraced it ought to be taken as a sign to make the rep intentional next time.