Music and animation have been a cinematic duo in Cuba for decades. One of the first entries is Juan Padrón’s ¡Vampires in Havana!, a genre film fusing horror comedy and music starring a trumpet player in the 1930s. In 2010, three Spanish directors collaborated on an animated film titled Chico & Rita. This animated 1940’s Cuban-based film is a story surrounding a pianist, and a singer and the turmoil love brings within their relationship akin to Damien Chazelle’s La La Land.
Kirk DeMicco and Brandon Jeffords’ Vivo uses a similar melancholy backstory from Chico & Rita for their human musical duo Andrés (Juan de Marcos González) and Marta (Gloria Estefan). The latter film had the Latin Jazz originator Bebo Valdés attached to the project. Vivo follows the same footsteps of attaching famous music composers by adding the Buena Vista Social Club’s member Juan de Marcos Gonzáles.
The heart of Vivo surrounds the celebration of life, love, and music. The film follows a stranded kinkajou named Vivo (Lin-Manual Miranda) in Cuba. His sole music partner is a retired pianist and street performer named Andrés. Together, the musical duo are in sync and gather dollars and pesos as they bring Havana’s Plaza Vieja to life with their talents. Vivo’s life changes the day Andrés receives a letter from his former love, Marta. She asks Andrés to join her in the United States for her retirement show. While contemplating on the decision, Andrés shows Vivo the last song he wrote showcasing his true feelings towards Marta. Unfortunately, the cold wind blows and Andrés sleeps peacefully throughout the night and never wakes up. At Andrés’ funeral, Vivo meets Andrés’ niece-in-law Rosa (Zoe Saldana) and her daughter Gabi (Ynairaly Simo). Knowing this is his only way to make it to the United States to give Marta Andrés’ final love song, Vivo sneaks into Gabi’s bag of instruments. In Florida, Gabi and Vivo hurry through conflicts and obstacles to give Marta the song before her final show.
In Vivo’s opening performance titled “One of a Kind,” the lyrics “You and I, we are one of a kind. Keeping Time. Every Time” hold true for the entirety of the film. In the first act we witness the perfectly in sync tune and dynamic between Andrés and Vivo. Happiness and pleasure run through Vivo’s demeanor as he narrates and experiences the first act of the film. Upon entering the United States, Vivo’s and Gabi’s dynamic were completely out of sync. As a musician in the rhythm section, I’ve had my fair share of my bass not finding the correct groove with the drums and vice versa. You either have to push through the clash or pull back. Vivo tries his best to pull back from the determined Gabi, but the one string holding them together, that eventually turns into the glue, is their fondness of music. As they both realize the song “Para Marta” is only salvageable through their teamwork, Vivo breaks through his personal conflict of not wanting to find another music partner to immortalize the love between Andrés and Marta.
When Lin-Manuel Miranda’s name is attached to a project, you can expect some form of music intertwining with the narrative at hand. The music in Vivo tells its own tale. When in Cuba, the film is scored with music played by traditional instruments in the Latin style. When Vivo embarks on his journey and his scenery changes from the tropical city of Havana to the suburbs of Florida, so does the music. Gabi’s preferred style of singing and dance is more contemporary with modern 808 drums and electronic instruments. The film’s final number is a rehash of “One of a Kind,” but this time a combination of Andrés and Vivo’s Latin flair and Gabi’s modern technology. Vivo learns to co-exist with his new musical partner while sticking to his traditional routine and flavor that was once formed with Andrés.
As expected, the music within the film is the attention grabber, but the dynamic between young and energetic Gabi and the animated (both figuratively and literally) Vivo is why the narrative is intriguing. The musical film Vivo is aimed towards children but its themes can resonate with anyone. Gabi’s unapologetic ideal to stay true to herself is the standout aspect of the film. Seeing the representation of a Latine child surrounded by all kinds of people was refreshing to see. Regardless of Rosa’s attempts for Gabi to fall under conformity, Gabi stayed true to herself despite being different. Not once did Gabi have to undergo personal turmoil to understand that she must love herself. Just like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s previous work, Vivo is a mashup of music genres, cultures, and people. With it comes a celebration of life, love and music which gives children something to sing about.
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