There were few movies released last year that were easier to fall in love with than Pixar’s “Luca,” the gentle coming-of-age story that was released on Disney+. It’s the story of young Luca (Jacob Tremblay), a sea monster who discovers that when he goes on land he undergoes “the change,” and turns into a human. He befriends fellow sea monster Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) and together they spend an unforgettable summer in a nearby seaside town eating gelato, endearing themselves to a human family, and learning to love who they are – every monster-y bit.
It’s a story that was based in part on director Enrico Casarosa’s experience growing up on the Italian coast and his relationship with his more freewheeling best friend (also named Alberto).