31 quotes
Family Ties and Unresolved Conflicts
Imelda
Mijo, I was so worried! Thank goodness we found you in time! And YOU! How many times must I turn you away?!
[hugs Miguel; turns to Héctor angrily]
Héctor
Imelda...
Imelda
I want nothing to do with you! Not in life, not in death! I spent decades protecting my family from your mistakes. He spent 5 minutes with you and I have to fish him out of a sinkhole!
Miguel
I... I wasn't in there because of Héctor, he was in there because of me. He was just trying to get me home. I didn't want to listen, but he was right. Nothing is more important than family. I'm ready to accept your blessing and your conditions. But first I need to find de la Cruz. To get Héctor's photo.
[gets in front of Héctor]
Imelda
What?
Miguel
So he can see Coco again. Héctor should be on our ofrenda. He's part of our family.
Imelda
He left this family!
Miguel
He tried to go home to you and Coco. But de la Cruz murdered him!
Héctor
It's true, Imelda.
Imelda
And so what if it's true?! You leave me alone with a child to raise and I'm just supposed to forgive you?!
Héctor
Imelda, I--
[starts to spasm as he surges with gold light, and collapses onto his knees]
Miguel
Héctor?
Héctor
I'm running out of time. It's Coco.
Imelda
She's forgetting you.
Miguel
You don't have to forgive him, but we shouldn't forget him.
[helps Héctor up]
Imelda
I wanted to forget you. I wanted Coco to forget you too, but--
Héctor
This is my fault, not yours. I'm sorry, Imelda.
Imelda
Miguel, if we help get his photo, you will return home? No more music?
[looks at Héctor, then Miguel]
Miguel
Family comes first.
Imelda
I... I can't forgive you… but I will help you. So how do we get to de la Cruz?
[to Héctor; to Miguel]
Miguel
I might know a way.
Seizing the Moment in Mariachi Plaza
Miguel
No more hiding, Dante. I gotta seize my moment. I'm gonna play in Mariachi Plaza if it kills me!
Struggling with Family Expectations and Personal Passion
Miguel
I think we're the only family in Mexico who hates music. And my family's fine with that. But me? I'm not like the rest of my family!
Reality Check About Dreams and Vitamins
Miguel
This isn't a dream then! You're all really out there!
Victoria
You thought we weren't?
Miguel
Oh, I don't know. I thought it might have been one of those made-up things, that adults tell kids, like vitamins.
Victoria
Miguel, vitamins are a real thing.
Miguel
Well, now I'm thinking maybe they could be.
Skeleton Mother
Mija, it's not nice to stare at-- Ay! Santa Maria!
[looks at Miguel]
A Family's Love and Musical Legacy
Imelda
Miguel, I give you my blessing... ...to go home, to put up our photos, and to never--
[the petal glows and gets brighter with each condition]
Miguel
Never play music again.
[bitterly]
Imelda
To never... forget how much your family loves you.
Héctor
You're going home.
Ernesto
You're not going anywhere!
Héctor
Imelda!
[runs to her]
Ernesto
Stay back! Stay back! All of you, stay back! Not one more step!
[as the dead Riveras surround him while dragging Miguel towards the building's edge]
Miguel
Dante!
Héctor
Ernesto, stop! Leave the boy alone!
[surges and falls to the ground, knocking down a microphone]
Ernesto
I've worked too hard, Héctor. Too hard to let him destroy everything!
Héctor
He's a living child, Ernesto!
Ernesto
He's a THREAT! You think I'd let him go back to the Land of the Living with your photo? To keep your memory alive? No.
[The action appears on the jumbotrons onstage; the word "threat" echos, making the crowd confused]
Miguel
You're a coward!
Ernesto
I am Ernesto de la Cruz, the greatest musician of all time.
Miguel
Héctor is the REAL musician! You're just the guy who murdered him and stole his songs!
[stands up and confronts Ernesto for his lies; the crowd gasps in horrified shock]
Male Audience Member
Murdered?
Ernesto
I am the one who's willing to do what it takes to seize my moment. Whatever it takes.
[grabs Miguel by the tank top; tosses Miguel over the building's edge]
Héctor
NO!
Imelda
MIGUEL!
Felipe
MIGUEL!
Ernesto
Apologies, old friend, but the show must go on.
[to Héctor]
Identity and Crossing Over Challenges
Héctor
Yes, it is I, Frida Kahlo. Shall we skip the scanner? I'm on so many ofrendas, it will just overwhelm your blinky thingy.
Departure Agent
Whoa, shoot. Looks like no one put up your photo, "Frida".
Héctor
Okay, when I said I was Frida, just now, that... that was a lie. And I apologize for doing that.
Departure Agent
No photo on an ofrenda, no crossing the bridge.
Héctor
You know what? I'm just gonna zip right over, you won't even know I'm gone! Ha-ha! Almost... there... just a little... further... Ugh.
[Héctor zooms toward the door and splits himself past the guard.; He rushes toward the bridge as Miguel watches; he begins to sink into the petals.; struggles to stand up but fails; picked up by two guards]
Male guard
Up-sy daisy.
Héctor
Fine! Okay! Fine! Who cares?! DUMB FLOWER BRIDGE!
[spits out some petals]
Rosita
Aw, I don't know what I'd do if no one put up my photo.
Arrival Agent
Next!
Rosita
Oh, come, mijo! It's our turn!
Arrival Agent
Welcome back, amigos! Anything to declare?
Julio
A-as a matter of fact… yes.
[shows him Miguel and giggles nervously]
Miguel
Hola.
A Grandson's Plea for Musical Freedom
Miguel
Señor de la Cruz, please don't be mad. I'm Miguel. Your great-great grandson. I need to borrow this. Our family thinks music is a curse. None of them understand but I know you would have. You would've told me to follow my heart. To seize my moment! So, if it's all right with you, I'm gonna play in the plaza, just like you did!
[to the portrait of Ernesto on the wall; takes the guitar off the wall; sighs]
Embracing Identity as a Musician
Mariachi
Ay, ay, ay, muchacho.
[impatient]
Mariachi
Look, if I were you, I'd march right up to my family and say, "Hey! I'm a musician, deal with it!".
Miguel
I could never say that.
Mariachi
You are a musician, no?
Miguel
I-I-I don't know. I mean... I only really play for myself.
Mariachi
Nah! Did de la Cruz become the world's best musician by hiding his sweet, sweet skills? No! He walked out onto that plaza and he played out loud! Ah, mira, mira! They're setting up for tonight! The music competition for Día de Muertos! You wanna be like your hero? You should sign up!
[spots something]
Miguel
Uh-Uh, my family would freak!
Mariachi
Look, if you're too scared, then, well...have fun making shoes! Come on, what did de la Cruz always say?
[pauses; to Miguel]
Miguel
Seize your moment"?
Mariachi
Show me what you got, muchacho. I'll be your first audience.
[showing his guitar; Miguel takes the guitar and is about to play when...]
Elena
MIGUEL!
[in the distance, furious]
Miguel
Ah! Abuelita!
[gives the guitar back and Elena is stomping up the street with Rosa and Berto following.]
Elena
What are you doing here?!
Miguel
Um... oh... uh...
Elena
You leave my grandson alone!
[thrusts her shoe in the mariachi's face]
Mariachi
Doña, please! I was just getting a shine!
Elena
I know your tricks, mariachi! What did he say to you?
[to Miguel]
Miguel
He was just showing me his guitar.
Berto
Shame on you!
Elena
My grandson is a sweet, little angelito, perrito, cielito! He wants no part of your music, mariachi. You keep away from him. Ay, pobrecito! Estas bien, mijo. You know better than to be here in this place! You will come home. Now.
[pushing her shoe further; childishly; furiously, pushes the mariachi off the bench; The marachi crawls away and takes his hat with him; to Miguel, childishly; hugs him; kisses his head]
Confrontation Over Promises and Identity
Héctor
We had a deal, chamaco!
Ernesto
Who are you? What is the meaning of this? Oh, Frida! I thought you couldn't make it.
[Héctor steps in his Frida Kahlo disguise]
Héctor
You said you'd take back my photo. You promised, Miguel!
[takes off his disguise]
Ernesto
You know this, uh… man?
[to Miguel]
Miguel
I just met him tonight. He told me he knew you.
Ernesto
H-Héctor?
[widens his eyes in realization]
Héctor
Please, Miguel. Put my photo up.
[takes out his photo]
Ernesto
My friend. You're, you're being forgotten.
Héctor
And whose fault is that?!
[angrily]
Ernesto
Héctor, please.
Héctor
Those were MY songs you took. MY songs that made YOU famous!
Miguel
What?
Héctor
If I'm being forgotten, it's because you never told anyone that I wrote them!
Miguel
That's crazy. De la Cruz wrote all his own songs.
Héctor
You want to tell him, or should I?
[to Ernesto]
Ernesto
Héctor, I never meant to take credit. We made a great team, but you died and I... I only sang your songs because I wanted to keep a part of you alive.
Héctor
Oh, how generous.
[sarcastically]
Miguel
You really did play together.
Héctor
Look, I don't want to fight about it. I just want you to make it right. Miguel can put my photo up...
Ernesto
Héctor...
Héctor
And I can cross over the bridge. I can see my girl. Ernesto, remember the night I left?
Ernesto
That was a long time ago.
Héctor
We drank together, and you told me you would move heaven and earth for your amigo. Well, I'm asking you to, now.
Miguel
Heaven and earth", like in the movie?
Héctor
What?
Miguel
That's Don Hidalgo's toast. In the de la Cruz movie, El Camino A Casa. ("The Way Home".)
Héctor
I'm talking about my REAL life, Miguel.
Miguel
No, it's in there. Look!
Don Hidalgo
Never were truer words spoken. This calls for a toast… to our friendship! Ha-ha! I would move heaven and earth for you, mi amigo.
[in movie]
Miguel
But in the movie, Don Hidalgo poisons the drink.
Don Hidalgo
Salud!
[in movie; he and Ernesto toast and drink]
Ernesto
Poison!
[in movie; spits it out; The fist fight breaks out; Héctor then remembers something]
Héctor
That night, Ernesto... the night I left... We'd been performing on the road for months. I got homesick and I packed up my songs.
[voiceover]
Young Ernesto
You wanna give up now... when we're this close to reaching our dream?
Young Héctor
This was your dream. You'll manage.
[heading for the door]
Young Ernesto
I can't do this without your songs, Héctor!
[grabs his suitcase]
Young Héctor
I'm going home, Ernesto. Hate me if you want, but my mind is made up.
[pulls away; last words before his death]
Young Ernesto
Oh, I could never hate you. If you must go, then I'm... I'm sending you off with a toast... To our friendship. I would move heaven and earth for you, mi amigo. Salud!
[angry, but then controls himself; pours two drinks]
Héctor
You walked me to the train station... But I felt a pain in my stomach. I thought it must have been something I ate.
[voiceover; stumbles and clutches his stomach, painfully]
Young Ernesto
Perhaps, it was that chorizo, my friend.
Héctor
Or something I... drank. I woke up... dead. You... poisoned me.
[collapses in the street and dies; fade to black; has a realization after the flashback ends]
Ernesto
You're confusing movies with reality, Héctor.
Héctor
All this time… I thought it was just bad luck. I never thought that you might have... that you... HOW COULD YOU?!
[Flashback; Ernesto takes Héctor's songbook, reads "Remember Me".; the flashback ends; Héctor becomes furious and lunges at Ernesto for murdering him]
Miguel
Héctor! (Stop!)
Ernesto
Security! Security!
[shocked; Two security guards rush into the room.]
Héctor
YOU TOOK EVERYTHING AWAY FROM ME! YOU RAT!
[The security guards pulls him away.]
Ernesto
Have him taken care of. He's not well.
[stands up from the ground]
Héctor
I just wanted to go back home! No! NO!! NOOO!!!
[The security guards takes Héctor away.]
Ernesto
I apologize. Where were we?
[to Miguel]
Miguel
You were going to give me your blessing.
Ernesto
Yes, uh... Sí. Miguel, uh... my reputation is very important to me. I would hate to have you think...
[takes the marigold petal from his pocket]
Miguel
That you murdered Héctor for his songs?
Ernesto
You don't think that... Do you?
[laughs; seriously]
Miguel
I... No, everyone knows you're the... the good guy. Papá Ernesto? My blessing...?
[Ernesto cuts a sharp, doubtful face. He looks at Héctor's photo, then takes it to his pocket]
Ernesto
Security! Take care of Miguel. He'll be... extending his stay.
[looks at the petal and crumbles it immediately; the security guards rush into the room again]
Miguel
What?! But I'm your family!
[shocked]
Ernesto
And Héctor was my best friend. Success doesn't come for free, Miguel. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to... seize your moment. I know you'll understand.
[smiling cruelly; Miguel gasps; The security guards taken Miguel out of the room.]
Miguel
No! NO!! LET GO!! NO!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
[the guards push Miguel towards a cenote pit; the guards push Miguel into the pit, and he falls, screaming]
Friendship and Deals in Tough Times
Corrections Officer
Disturbing the peace, fleeing an officer, falsifying a unibrow...
Héctor
That's illegal?
[detaches his head and pats petals out]
Corrections Officer
Very illegal. You need to clean up your act, amigo.
Héctor
Amigo"? Oh, that's-that's so nice to hear you say that, because... I have just had a really hard Día de Muertos and I could really use an amigo right now. And amigos... they help their amigos. Listen, you get me across that bridge tonight, and I'll make it worth your while. Oh! You like de la Cruz? He and I go way back! I can get you front row seats to his Sunrise Spectacular show! I-I-I'll get you backstage, you can meet him! You just gotta let me cross that bridge!
[screws his head back on; detaches his hands; they act like holding shoulders; reattaches hands; spots a poster of Ernesto on the wall]
Corrections Officer
I should lock you up for the rest of the holiday. But my shift's almost up and... I wanna visit my living family, so I'm letting you off with a warning.
[gives Héctor a warning ticket, he snatches it]
Héctor
Can I at least get my costume back?
Corrections Officer
Uh... no.
Héctor
Ohh! Some amigo...
[stomps past Miguel; crumples the warning ticket]
Miguel
Hey, hey! You really know de la Cruz?
[catches up to him]
Héctor
Who wants to–? Ay! You're alive!
[notices him and shrieks]
Miguel
Shh!! Yeah, I'm alive. And if I want to get back to the Land of the Living, I need de la Cruz's blessing.
[takes him inside a phone booth to hide]
Héctor
That's weirdly specific.
Miguel
He's my great-great-grandfather.
Héctor
He's your gr-gr-gr– Wh-what?!
[completely dumbstruck; his eyeballs drop into his mouth]
Miguel
Ugh.
Héctor
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait, wait. Wait, no, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait, wai-wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait, wait. Yes! You're going back to the Land of the Living!
[pushes his eyeballs back into place; gasps; gasps again]
Miguel
You know what? Maybe this isn't such a good...
Héctor
No! Niño, niño, niño! I-I can help you. You can help me. We can help each other. But most importantly, you can help me!
[snaps his fingers, and stops him; Miguel can see Imelda and the dead Riveras heading downstairs in front of him]
Imelda
MIGUEL!
Miguel
Ah!
Héctor
I'm Héctor.
[extends his hand]
Miguel
Uh... that's nice!
[grabs his arm and they both run away]
Family Connections in Coco
Miguel
Tía Rosita?
[recognizing the skeletons of his family members]
Rosita
Sí.
Miguel
Papá Julio?
Julio
Hola!
Miguel
Tía Victoria?
Victoria
He doesn't seem entirely dead.
Rosita
He's not quite alive either.
Julio
We need Mama Imelda. She'll know how to fix this.
Oscar
Oye! It's Mama Imelda!
[off-screen; runs up to them with his twin brother, Felipe]
Felipe
She couldn't cross over!
Oscar
She's stuck!
Felipe
On the other side!
Miguel
Tío Oscar? Tío Felipe?
Oscar
Oh. Hey, Miguel.
[he and his twin brother both gasp]
Victoria
I have a feeling this has something to do with you.
Rosita
But if Mama Imelda can't come to us…
Julio
Then we are going to her. Vamanos!
Miguel's Surprising Family Revelation
Miguel
A minute ago I thought I was related to a murderer. You're a total upgrade!
[to Héctor, realizing that '''he''' is his real great-great grandfather]
Héctor's Outburst of Betrayal and Loss
Héctor
YOU TOOK EVERYTHING AWAY FROM ME! YOU RAT!
[furiously attacking De La Cruz for poisoning him]
The Legacy of Family and Music
Miguel
Sometimes, I think I'm cursed. Because of something that happened before I was even born. See, a long time ago, there was this family. The papá, he was a musician. He and his family would sing and dance and count their blessings. But he also had a dream, to play for the world. And one day, he left with his guitar and never returned. And the mamá… She didn't have time to cry over that walk-away musician. After banishing all music from her life, she found a way to provide for her daughter. She rolled up her sleeves, and she learned to make shoes. She could have made candy, or fireworks, or sparkly underwear for wrestlers, but no, she chose shoes. Then she taught her daughter to make shoes. And later, she taught her son-in-law. Then her grandkids got roped in. As her family grew, so did the business. Music had torn her family apart. But shoes held them all together. You see, that woman was my great-great grandmother, Mamá Imelda. She died way before I was born. But my family still tells her story every year on Dia De Los Muertos. The Day of the Dead.
[first lines; narrating]
Honoring Family Through Memories and Connections
Miguel
And that man is your Papá Julio. And there's Tía Rosita, and your Tía Victoria. And those two are Oscar and Felipe. These aren't just old pictures, they're our family. And they're counting on us to remember them.
[showing his baby sister the family photos on the ofrenda]
Conflict Over Blessings and Choices
Miguel
AAH!
Imelda
This nonsense ends now, Miguel! I am giving you my blessing and you are going home.
Miguel
I don't want your blessing!
[runs through an alley and up the stairs]
Imelda
Miguel! Stop! Come back! Miguel! I'm trying to save your life!
[runs upstairs after Miguel]
Miguel
You're ruining my life!
[slips through the metal gate trying to escape]
Imelda
What?!
Miguel
Music's the only thing that makes me happy. And YOU, you WANNA take that away! YOU'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND!
[angrily; continues marching upstairs]
Imelda
Y aunque la vida me cueste, LloronaNo dejar de quiererte.
[singing "La Llorona"]
Miguel
I-I thought you hated music.
Imelda
Oh, I love it. I remember that feeling - when my husband would play and I would sing, and nothing else mattered, but when we had Coco suddenly, there was something in my life that mattered more than music. I wanted to put down roots. He wanted to play for the world. We each made a sacrifice to get what we wanted. Now, you must make a choice.
Miguel
But I don't wanna pick sides. Why can't you be on my side? That's what families are supposed to do - support you, but you never will.
[wipes a tear from his eye and runs off]
Family Encourages Miguel to Join the Workshop
Miguel
Get under! Get under!
[hiding Dante and his DIY guitar under the ofrenda]
Elena
Miguel?
[enters the ofrenda room with Enrique and Luisa]
Miguel
Nothing! Mama, Papa. I…
[turns around; smiles nervously]
Enrique
Miguel, your abuelita had the most wonderful idea. We've all decided… it's time you joined us in the workshop!
[puts a leather apron on him]
Miguel
What?!
Enrique
No more shining shoes. You will be making them! Every day after school!
Elena
Our Migueli-ti-ti-ti-to carrying on the family tradition! And on Dia de los Muertos! Your ancestors will be so proud! You'll craft huaraches just like your Tía Victoria.
Enrique
And wingtips, like your Papá Julio!
Miguel
But what if I'm no good at making shoes?
Enrique
Ah, Miguel. You have your family here to guide you. You are a Rivera. And a Rivera is...
Miguel
A shoemaker. Through and through.
A Mother's Blessing and Her Conditions
Head Clerk
Now, you look at the living and say his name.
Imelda
Miguel.
[bitterly]
Head Clerk
Nailed it! Now say, "I give you my blessing.".
Imelda
I give you my blessing. I give you my blessing to go home... to put my photo back on the ofrenda... and to never play music again!
[The marigold petal glows; Miguel is amazed; the petal glows brighter; even brighter, Miguel nods]
Miguel
What?! She can't do that!
Head Clerk
Well, technically, she can add any condition she wants.
Miguel
Fine.
[frowns]
Head Clerk
Then you hand the petal to Miguel.
Miguel
No skeletons! Mariachi Plaza, here I come!
[stares smugly at Ernesto's guitar and takes it; Not even 2 steps later, he's back in the Land of the Dead; he is caught by Imelda.]
Imelda
Two seconds, and you already break your promise!
Miguel
This isn't fair, it's my life! You already had yours! Papá Julio, I ask for your blessing! Tía Rosita? Oscar? Felipe? Tía Victoria?
[takes Imelda's petal; Julio cringes nervously; one by one, each dead Rivera resists; Victoria just shakes her head, meaning no]
Imelda
Don't make this hard, mijo. You go home my way, or no way.
Miguel
You really hate music that much?!
Imelda
I will not let you go down the same path he did!
Miguel
The same path he did... he did.
[looks at the photo]
Victoria
Listen to your Mamá Imelda.
Oscar
She's just looking out for you.
Rosita
Be reasonable.
Miguel
Con permiso, I need to visit the restroom. Be right back!
[stagey; exits]
Head Clerk
Uh... should we tell him there are no restrooms in the Land of the Dead?
Revelation of Past Love and Betrayal
Ernesto
Don't I know you?
Imelda
That's for murdering the love of my life!
[removes her boot, and hits Ernesto across the skull]
Ernesto
Who?! Who the--
Héctor
She's talking about ME! I'm the love of your life?
[appears around the corner; to Imelda, touched]
Imelda
I don't know, I'm still angry at you.
Ernesto
Héctor?! How did you--
Imelda
And that's for trying to murder my grandson!
[hits Ernesto with her boot again]
Ernesto
Grandson?!
Miguel
She's talking about me!
[appears around the corner]
Ernesto
YOU! Wait… you're related to Héctor?
[realized]
Miguel
The photo!
[points to Héctor's photo in Ernesto's breast pocket]
Ernesto
Uh…
[backs away as the Rivera family glares at him; runs off]
Imelda
After him!
Dispute Over Family Photo on Ofrenda
Imelda
I demand to speak to the person in charge!
[to a case worker angrily]
Case Worker
I'm sorry, señora, but it says here no one put up your photo!
Imelda
My family always, ALWAYS put my photo on the ofrenda. That devil box tells you nothing but lies!
[takes off her boot and smashes the computer with it]
Julio
Mamá Imelda?
[as he and the dead Riveras approach nervously; Imelda aims her boot at him; he shrieks]
Imelda
Oh, mi familia! They wouldn't let me cross the bridge! Tell this woman and her devil box that my photo is on the ofrenda!
[snapping out]
Julio
Well, w-we never made it to the ofrenda.
Imelda
What?
Julio
We ran into uh... um...
Imelda
Miguel?
[gasps]
Miguel
Mama Imelda.
[sheepishly]
Imelda
What is going on?
Head Clerk
You the Rivera family? Well, you're cursed.
[comes out of the office door; later… in his office; to Miguel]
Miguel
What?!
[as the deceased Riveras gasp]
Head Clerk
Dia de los Muertos is the night to give to the dead. You stole from the dead!
Migue
But I wasn't stealing the guitar.
Imelda
Guitar?
Miguel
It was my great-great-grandfather's! He would've wanted me to have it.
Imelda
Ah, ah, ah! We do not speak of that "musician." He is dead to this family.
Miguel
Uh, you're all dead.
Head Clerk
I am sorry, whose alebrije is that?
[sneezes as Dante gets close]
Miguel
That's just Dante.
Rosita
He sure doesn't look like an alebrije.
Oscar
He just looks like a plain old dog...
Felipe
Or a sausage someone dropped in a barbershop.
Head Clerk
Whatever he is, I am terribly allergic.
[sneezes]
Miguel
But Dante doesn't have any hair.
Head Clerk
And I don’t have a nose, and yet here we are.
[sneezes again]
Imelda
But none of this explains why I couldn't cross over!
Miguel
Oh! (I think I know why.)
[chuckles nervously as he takes out the photo of Imelda, young Coco and the faceless man from his jacket pocket and holds it up]
Imelda
You took my photo off the ofrenda?!
[shocked]
Miguel
It was an accident!
A plea to remember lost memories
Enrique
Miguel, open this door!
[from outside, banging the door]
Miguel
Here, this was his guitar, right? He used to play it to you? See, there he is. Papá, remember? Papá?
[showing Hector's guitar; no answer]
Enrique
MIGUEL!
[from outside]
Miguel
Mamá Coco, please don't forget him!
[begging]
Elena
What are you doing to that poor woman?! It's okay, Mamita. It's okay.
[comforts her mamá]
Enrique
What's gotten into you?! I thought I'd lost you, Miguel.
[Miguel begins to cry, hugs him; embraces him]
Miguel
I'm sorry, Papá.
Luisa
We're all together now, that's what matters.
Miguel
Not all of us...
Elena
It's okay, Mamita. Miguel, you apologize to your Mamá Coco.
[at Miguel, firmly]
Miguel
Mamá Coco...
[walks over to Coco; stubs his foot against Héctor's guitar and gets an idea.]
Elena
Well? Apologize!
[impatiently]
Miguel
Mamá Coco? Your papá, he wanted you to have this...
[holding up the guitar; begins strumming; Abuelita tries to intervene, but Papa stops her]
Luisa
Look.
Miguel
For even if I'm far away, I hold you in my heart.I sing a secret song to you each night we are apart.Remember me, though I have to travel far
Coco
Elena? What's wrong, mija?
Elena
Nothing, Mamá. Nothing at all.
Coco
My papá used to sing me that song.
[to Miguel]
Miguel
He loved you, Mamá Coco. Your papá loved you so much.
Coco
I kept... his letters... poems he wrote me... and... Papá was a musician… when I was a little girl; He and Mamá would sing such beautiful songs...
[skims through the book until she reveals a ripped up piece of paper. It's the missing part of the photo from the ''ofrenda'', Héctor's face, which Miguel matches with.; continues talking as the Riveras listen]
Confrontation on Stage During Performance
Ernesto
Ha, ha! Please, please, mi familia!
[The audience starts booing at him as he laughs nervously]
Audience Member #1
Murderer!
Audience Member #2
Get off the stage!
Ernesto
Orchestra! A-1, A-2, A-1... Remember me, though I have to s– Hey!
[The conductor breaks his baton in half in contempt, without any words to say; singing; A tomato is thrown at his jacket; The audience continues booing as they start throwing food at Ernesto]
Female Audience Member
Look!
[looks up, and points]
Ernesto
Here kitty, Nice kitty, Big kitty. Put me down! Please! I'm begging you! Stop it, stop that! Ow, ow! No!
[chuckles nervously as he walks backwards while Pepita closes in on him; Pepita roars in Ernesto's face, then headbutts him, sending him flying. She then catches him by his waist as she flies off; A cameraman follows Pepita; Pepita flips him into the air, then smacks him away with her tail. The villainous musician goes flying, then notices something up ahead; screams, then smacks face-first into a large church bell, then lands beneath it. Appearing to be unharmed, he looks up and gasps in horror as the bell falls on top of him… again. As the crowd cheers in jubilant, a skeleton sits beside his wife while holding two ears of corn]
Male Audience Member
What did I miss?
[to his wife]
Miguel
Good boy, Dante.
Imelda
Miguel!
[they hug each other]
Miguel
Héctor! The photo… I-I-I lost it!
[runs up to him]
Héctor
It's okay, mijo. It's...
[sitting up; surging worsens, spasms more and faints]
Miguel
HÉCTOR! Héctor?!
Héctor
Coco...
[moans, whispers]
Miguel
No, we can still find the photo!
Imelda
Miguel, it's almost sunrise!
Miguel
No, no, no. I can't leave you! I promised I put your photo up! I promised you'd see Coco!
Héctor
We're both out of time, mijo.
[surges yet again]
Miguel
No! No! She can't forget you!
Héctor
I just wanted her to know... that I loved her.
[takes out a marigold petal, surging once more]
Miguel
Héctor!
Héctor
You have our blessing... Miguel.
Imelda
No conditions.
[holds the petal with Héctor]
Miguel
No, Papá Héctor! Please!! No...!
[The dead Riveras and Dante mourn sadly; panting sadly]
Héctor
Go home.
[smiles and surges one final time]
Miguel
I promise I won't let Coco forget you! AHH!!
[the petal touches him]
Miguel's Passion for Music and Inspiration
Miguel
I know I'm not supposed to love music. But it's not my fault! It's his! Ernesto de la Cruz… the greatest musician of all time. He started out a total nobody from Santa Cecilia, like me. But when he played music, he made people fall in love with him. He starred in movies, he had the coolest guitar! he could fly! And he wrote the best songs!
Family Secrets and Musical Aspirations
Elena
What is all this? You keep secrets from your own family?!
Berto
It's all that time he spends in the plaza!
Gloria
Fills his head with crazy fantasies!
Miguel
It's not a fantasy! That man was Ernesto de la Cruz! The greatest musician of all time!
[gives Papa the photo of Imelda, young Coco and the unidentified man]
Enrique
We've never known anything about this man, but whoever he was, he still abandoned his family. This is no future for my son.
Miguel
But Papa, y-you said my family would guide me. Well, de la Cruz is my family. I'm supposed to play music.
Elena
Never! That man's music was a curse! I will not allow it!
Miguel
But if you would just let--
Luisa
Miguel.
[sternly]
Enrique
You will listen to your family. No more music.
Miguel
Just listen to me play!
[picks up the guitar]
Enrique
End of argument.
[unconvinced]
Elena
You want to end up like that man? Forgotten? Left off your family's ofrenda?!
[holding the guitar]
Abuelita
There. No more guitar and no more music. Aw, come. You'll feel better after you eat with your family.
[smashes the guitar against the ground into pieces three times. She throws the smashed guitar and makes the cross sign; Seeing Miguel starts to cry, she tries to comfort him]
Miguel
I don't wanna be in this family!
[snapping on the verge of tears; snatches the photo away from Papa and runs away]
Enrique
Miguel! MIGUEL!
[Miguel runs out of the Riveras' home]
A Reflection on Family and Choices
Miguel
Héctor?
Héctor
Kid?
Miguel
Oh, Héctor! You were right. I should have gone back to my family.
[They embrace each other.]
Héctor
Hey-- hey, hey...
Miguel
They told me not to be like de la Cruz… But I didn't listen.
[cries, drying his eye]
Héctor
Hey, it's okay...
Miguel
I told them I didn't care if they remembered me. I didn't care if I was on their stupid ofrenda.
[sobs]
Héctor
Hey, chamaco, it's okay. It's okay.
[hugs Miguel]
Miguel
I told them I didn't care. Héctor! Héctor?
[sobs, Hector suddenly spasms, surging with gold light and falls to the ground, weak.]
Héctor
She's... forgetting me.
Miguel
Who?
Héctor
My daughter.
Miguel
She's the reason... you wanted to cross the bridge.
Héctor
I just wanted to see her again. I never should have left Santa Cecilia. I wish I could apologize. I wish I could tell her that her papá was trying to come home… that he loved her so much. My Coco.
[long pause]
Miguel
Coco?
[completely surprised; shows him the photo of Imelda and young Coco]
Héctor
Whe-where did you get this?
Miguel
That's my Mamá Coco. That's my Mamá Imelda. Is that... you?
[points to Young Coco; points to Imelda; points to the mystery father]
Héctor
We're...
[with realization]
Miguel and Héctor
...family?
[smile at each other]
Héctor
I always hoped I'd see her again, that she'd miss me, maybe put up my photo… but it never happened. You know the worst part? Even if I never got to see Coco in the living world, I thought at least one day I'd see her here... give her the biggest hug... but she's the last person who remembers me. The moment she's gone from the living world...
[looks at the photo sadly, memory recovered]
Miguel
...you disappear from this one. You'll never get to see her.
Héctor
Ever again. You know, I wrote her a song once. We used to sing it every night at the same time, no matter how far apart we were. What I wouldn't give to sing it to her... one... last... time.
[long pause; begins singing "Remember Me"]
Miguel
He stole your guitar, he stole your songs. You should be the one the world remembers, not de la Cruz!
[realizing]
Héctor
I didn't write Remember Me for the world, I wrote it for Coco. I'm a pretty sorry excuse for a great-great grandpa.
[looks at Miguel sadly]
Miguel
Are you kidding? A minute ago I thought I was related to a murderer. You're a total upgrade. My whole life, there is something that made me different. I never knew where it came from. But now I know... it... it comes from you. I'm proud we're family! I’M PROUD TO BE HIS FAMILY!!
[excitedly; runs up happily; loud grito]
Héctor
I'M PROUD TO BE HIS FAMILY!
[happily jumps up with a loud grito; loud grito]
Miguel
Dante? Dante! It's Dante!
[loud grito, then suddenly heard a howling sound coming from the hole of a cenote pit; Dante appears and barks happily; laughs; Pepita appears with a loud mighty roars which shakes the stalactites, Miguel laughs with joy until Imelda appeared above Pepita]
Imelda
Héctor.
[fiercely]
Héctor
You look good!
Coco - Dialogue 2
Elena
Día de los Muertos is the one night of the year our ancestors can come visit us. We've put their photos on the ofrenda so their spirits can cross over. That is very important. If we don't put them up, they can't come. We made all this food, set out the things they loved in life, mijo. All this work to bring the family together. I don't want you sneaking off to who knows where. Where are you going?
[catches him trying to sneak away]
Miguel
I thought we were done.
Elena
Ay, Dios mio. Being part of this family means being here for this family. I don't want to see you end up like--
Miguel
Like Mamá Coco's papá?
Elena
Never mention that man! He's better off forgotten.
A Dilemma of Family and Music
Hector
Wait, wait, wait. You said de la Cruz was your only family. The ONLY person who could send you home.
[upon hearing that Miguel's dead family are trying to send him home]
Miguel
I do have other family, but–
Hector
You could have taken my photo back this whole time?!
Miguel
But they hate music. I need a musician's blessing.
Hector
You lied to me!
Miguel
Oh, you're the one to talk.
Hector
Look at me. I'm being forgotten, Miguel. I don't even know if I'm gonna last the night. I'm not gonna miss my one chance to cross that bridge, cause you want to live out some stupid musical fantasy!
Miguel
It's not stupid!
Hector
I'm taking you to your family.
[grabs Miguel's arm and pulls him to the stage, but Miguel pulls away]
Miguel
Let go of me!
Hector
You'll thank me later.
Miguel
You don't wanna help me. You only care about yourself! Keep your dumb photo! Stay away from me!
[pulls out Hector's photo from his pocket and throws it at him. Hector chases after it in the wind]
Hector
Hey, chamaco, where did you go? Chamaco! Sorry. Come back!
Miguel
Dante, cállate! No, Dante, stop it! He can’t help me! Dante, stop! Stop it! Leave me alone! You’re not a spirit guide; you’re just a DUMB DOG! NOW GET OUT OF HERE!
[tugs Miguel's leg; Dante tugs Miguel by the arm]
The Importance of Memories in Storytelling
Héctor
Our memories, they have to be passed down by those who knew us in life - in the stories they tell about us. But there's no one left alive to pass down Chiche's stories.