Elemental: A Simple Story About Unity
It’s no real secret that Pixar hasn’t really been Pixar over the past few years. The great stallworth of modern animation has become so by doing the seemingly impossible. Its reputation for making films that emotionally resonate with adults, alongside kids, is special. Many times I’ve been reduced to an emotional mess because of a Pixar theme. While Pixar is not the only author of this experience, it’s become synonymous with their brand. And when paired with industry leading animation, you have the recipe for a juggernaut; for most of my life this has been the case. Obviously that branding has brought them great success, but now that is being reevaluated. Expectation seems to be playing a role in this and we’ve seen some films buckle under the weight. However, Elemental, the studios newest film, shows that they are as strong as ever in their most marketable aspect. It even shows off a part of this success, in this area, that often gets overlooked.
Pixar is lauded for its ability to connect with adults and a part of that connection is what these movies allow adults to do with its themes. There’s no doubt that Pixar plays with more adult themes but it’s that idea precisely that I’m referencing. Sometimes the most complex themes need to be looked at with childlike simplicity. It’s not the most complicated or intellectually deep writing but it can be just as, if not more valuable. As a teacher I talk to young people all the time, sometimes about real complex ideas and the simplicity they can offer is illuminating. You’re able to see things from a different perspective and even find out things you wouldn’t otherwise. This is what Elemental achieves. Through childlike simplicity some very complex ideas are explored and that exploration arrives in a beautiful place. Ultimately it elevates a film that is beautiful in technical execution and fun, to a higher place of resonance. This isn’t merely a cute family film (which is far from a pejorative) but one that aims and hits on some important and very relevant ideas.
The biggest of those ideas surrounds that of an immigrant family. It’s a rather deep exploration of this experience, mainly from a very appreciative daughter to immigrant parents, but also lends plenty of perspective to the parts. I found all of this to be quite beautiful and moving, despite having no relationship to this experience. This lends to the baseline quality of the film. It is however a secondary theme that I found most compelling. It comes in the film's central relationship, between Ember and Wade. A relationship I found compelling in large part because of what it signifies. Their relationship, as is often true in movies, starts contentiously and ends romantically, represents far more than just love. With Wade being water and Ember being fire, their relationship can’t exist.
The physical aspect of their relationship doesn’t quite make sense. I don’t know how they touch each other without putting the other out. The movie never really addresses it, but that is also irrelevant. The visual cue makes the larger point. They don’t belong together, more so they can’t be together. The film lays plenty of track for this, starting with Ember’s father having issues with water throughout his time in Element city. Then there are the more complicated reasons why they can’t be together. Most notably, how fire is viewed and treated in Element City. Of the elements it has the hardest place, shunned to a lower section of the city and largely forgotten about amongst everyday life.
Then there is Ember’s family, working class, having just what they need. Compare them to Wade, a more affluent and financially successful family. All of this creates the tapestry for the larger message, these two elements are separated by cultural ideals. Perception, that is created by their differences and made visual in this film. Down to the physical difference I mentioned earlier as irrelevant. They are divided by expectation, something larger than the two of them. The complexities of which this film does not and cannot fully explore, but in its own way takes a full lashing to.
We learn in this country at a very young age that one of the important aspects of “The Great American Experiment” is that of a melting pot. Different cultures, ideas and experiences blending together to create something new and unique. While this is no argument for the application of this idea in this country, the idea itself isn’t faulty. It’s one I believe this film to hold as important and one that is hugely relevant to our current climate. The further we move away from people, particularly those that are different from us, the greater the tension becomes. Element City is a simplistic view of this. Everyone is divided into their segments, and while there are aspects that are great and work well, the city comes alive when the elements mix. That’s the lesson of the film, of Ember and Wade’s relationship. Two people a bit stuck in life, that come alive in new dynamic ways when they are together. It’s a representation of a possibility if we openly embrace those that are different from us. Embrace their experiences, their culture, their way of living and openly share ours. It’s a beautiful depiction of what could be.
The presentation of this theme, alongside others, is what powers Elemental. From a thematic standpoint it stands by some of the best Pixar films ever. It accomplishes this through its simplicity. If we are open to put on our child lenses and view its themes with that simplicity, a lot of beauty can be found. Sometimes the perfect package for a powerful message is the simplest one. Elemental moved me with its message. A depiction of unity in a time when that is a rarity. Bonding with others through our differences instead of using them as reason for division. Elemental is the type of movie we need right now, and that is the magic trick that Pixar has been pulling for over 30 years. They just did it again.
