An ok film that was completely not for me. The animation was fairly solid, though the entire film externalized its sullen underbelly with almost Snyder-esque color muting and oppressively dark tinting throughout; it almost made it hard to see it all. It is unusual for such a seemingly effervescent animated kids film to be set almost entirely at night and subdued, palette-wise.
The “message” was fine, but I didn't find much of the form or presentation all that compelling. The songs didn’t really move me or groove me. More crucially, the character genesis within the tale and the overall coming of age rang a bit hollow. It was a story that didn’t hook me past the premise and didn’t provide the appropriate growth to be verdant and engrossing.
Also, am I the only person who didn’t care for “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”? I felt “The Family Madrigal” or “En Barranquilla Me Quedo” were much better. (shoulder shrug)