In the new Pixar movie, “Luca” there’s a line that is used frequently throughout
the film.
...is the line used to describe the voice of doubt in someone’s head.
This movie has many messages related to coping with anxiety, which we all deal with every
once and awhile.
The last video I made on a Pixar movie (“Soul”) had to do with the traps that come with being
too obsessed over a specific activity that we call “a life purpose”.
Instead, this movie instead focuses on having a dream or goal in mind, but being too afraid to go
after it, and this can be for multiple reasons.
One reason could be your parents telling you that you can’t, it’s not realistic, or
it’s too dangerous.
This is a conflict that the main character, Luca, is immediately faced with after discovering
his passion for adventuring on land, a place he is not allowed to explore.
You’re probably wondering who, and what the hell these creatures you’re looking
at are, so I’ll give you a brief summary of the plot, but spoiler warning for those
who have not seen this movie yet.
To put it simply, this is a film about sea monsters.
Everytime these creatures walk on dry land they turn human.
Luca, and his friend Alberto spend the entire movie trying to fit in with human civilization,
in hopes that one they can travel the entire world on some bike.
The challenge is, they can’t get discovered, otherwise, the humans will likely kill them
on the spot.
This isn’t easy to do as the slightest bit of water reveals their identity.
So yeah, ambitious dreams, with severe consequences, so how does one cope with that
kind of risk?
How do you deal with that voice of doubt in your head constantly bringing you down?
Well, according to the writers of this movie, you give that voice a name, and tell him to
shut the hell up.
So that’s exactly what Luca, and Alberto do, they name that voice of doubt “Bruno”
and let him know who’s in control.
Jesse Andrews, one of the writers said quote: “I think there is
power in giving a name to something even when the name is random, echoing advice some child
psychologists now urge kids with anxiety to do: name, and thereby tame, their mental nemesis,
even with something silly like Mr. Scared — or Bruno.”
In addition, a co-writer of last year’s movie “Soul” stated, “I was raised to
not think about (fears), as if not naming them will make them go away.
I felt later on how harmful that is, because it doesn’t give you the tools for dealing
with the anxiety that’s going to continue to pop up throughout your life.”
For me personally, I’m someone who overthinks quite a bit.
Now, I wouldn’t say my anxiety gets anywhere near the level that people with severe anxiety
disorders face, and I couldn’t even imagine how frustrating that is considering occasional
anxiety already stinks, but every now and then my mind goes at 100 miles per hour, reminding
me of what could be a depressing future.
When this happens, it’s easy for me to surrender, and allow these thoughts to control my mood.
It’s easy to forget that they’re just thoughts, thoughts that come from past experiences.
Then I remember that this isn’t the past, this is the present moment.
Or was the present moment, you get this idea.
It doesn’t matter what happened in the past.
What matters is what I’m doing now... enjoying the present moment.
Past experiences only help me grow, so that in the future I DO have the knowledge, and
confidence necessary to do the things I’ve always wanted to do.
In this movie, Luca and Alberto fail over and over, and over again, but they never give up.
When you have a vision, and a profound reason to pursue what you desire, you’ll find a
way to do it despite all the obstacles in the way.
Including stupido Bruno.
This movie also has a theme about embracing the true you.
Along their adventure, Luca and Alberto make a friend, named Giulia, but later on in the
story, Luca and her get too close for Alberto to handle, so he reveals his secret.
Unsurprisingly, the humans are shocked, and react in fear.
The truth can only be hidden so long before it finally prevails, and this was Alberto’s
motive for coming out of the closet, if you will.
Not long after that, Giulia discovers the truth about Luca’s origin.
Amazingly, this does not stop him from reentering the competition, winning the race, and proving
everyone wrong.
It’s a great reminder that people, or in this case, animals, may look, sound, or act
different compared to what we’re used to, but deep down they’re just like us, and
we can learn so many lessons from them.
In the words of Muhammad Ali, “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe
it - then I can achieve it.” and so can you.
Don’t listen to the people who tell you that you can’t do something.
Don’t listen to the bullies who tell you that you don’t belong.
And most importantly, don’t listen to annoying Bruno hacking your mind.
Follow your heart, and what you will find is that once you start doing the thing you
fear, it becomes second nature.
It puts you in a position where the fear is no longer controlling you, but you have control
over the fear.