Alberto often repeats the phrase “Silenzio Bruno” in Luca, but he never explains what this means or where it came from. Alberto is Luca’s first friend when he emerges from the ocean and takes on his human form, and he gives him the confidence that he needs to try and blend in with human society. Luca‘s picturesque seaside town is teeming with danger for the two sea monsters, but they always repeat their mantra “Silenzio Bruno” to quiet the negative voices inside their heads. This works when they’re riding a makeshift Vespa off a cliff or simply walking through Portorosso’s town square.
Luca isn’t as popular as some of Pixar’s very best movies, but it has enough endearing qualities to ensure that it hits the spot. It tells a relatively small-scale story, resisting the temptation to escalate and indulge in overblown action in favor of an emotional character-driven story. Luca‘s cast of characters give the film a lot of heart, especially the sweet dynamic between Alberto and Luca. Their mantra “Silenzio Bruno” sums up their unique friendship, and the way that they encourage one another to explore new experiences, even if they can be frightening at first.
The Name “Bruno” Has No Deeper Meaning In Luca
The Line Came From A Bolt Of Pure Inspiration
Alberto tells Luca to silence the voices in his head by screaming “Silenzio Bruno“, but he never discloses who Bruno is, or why he chose this name. Since Bruno’s origins are a little mysterious, it’s tempting to imagine that the name “Bruno” might relate to his family or some other part of his backstory. However, the truth is more surprising. While director Enrico Casarosa was trying to figure out a way that Alberto could push Luca out of his comfort zone, one of the movie’s writers, Jesse Andrews, came up with the “Silenzio Bruno” scene. (via Games Radar) When Casarosa asked Andrews why he chose the name “Bruno“, his only response was “Well, that’s the line.“
It’s a little surprising that one of the most important quotes shared between the two characters was plucked out of thin air.
Luca is a deeply personal story for Casarosa. The director’s debut feature was inspired by his own childhood growing up in Italy, with the town of Portorosso based on his home. Casarosa previously used a version of this idea to make one of Pixar’s best short films, La Luna. Since the character of Luca is meant to represent Casarosa, and Alberto is a facsimile of one of his childhood friends, it’s a little surprising that one of the most important quotes shared between the two characters was plucked out of thin air by another writer.
The Story Behind “Silenzio Bruno” Makes It Even More Perfect
The Off-The-Cuff Origins Reflect Alberto’s Style
It seems strange that one of the most important quotes in Luca has no deeper meaning, but this makes it even more perfect. The mantra is all about taking action without thinking too much, no matter what the risks are. It’s an apt origin story for the phrase that a writer thought it up without worrying too much about the various layers of meaning behind it. Trying to overanalyze the scene and come up with the ideal, succinct phrase might not have produced a result that both sounds as good and conveys the same point as simply as “Silenzio Bruno“.
Due to the unexpected backstory to the quote, it’s easy to imagine that Alberto came up with “Silenzio Bruno” out of nothing too. This would suit his character, but it’s also possible he picked it up from some pᴀssing humans without thinking about it too deeply, in the same way that he and Luca parrot the phrase “What’s wrong with you stupido?” after hearing two fishermen talking. Regardless of the phrase’s origins, the fact that it has no deeper meaning makes it the perfect mantra for Luca, who is constantly scared and overly cautious.
Luca ends with the two main characters going their separate ways, as Luca goes to school with Giulia and Alberto stays behind in Portorosso. A Disney+ short film, Ciao Alberto, reveals a little more about Alberto’s new life with Mᴀssimo, but Luca could still benefit from having a sequel. It would be a joy to see how the next stage of Luca and Alberto’s friendship unfolds, and if Luca can internalize the meaning of Alberto’s fearless way of life. There are still plenty of other side characters who also need more development, although Luca remains a standalone movie for now.
Source: Games Radar
