Ciao Alberto

Ciao Alberto is a 2021 American computer-animated short film written and directed by McKenna Jean Harris, produced by Pixar Animation Studios, and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Set after the events of the 2021 Pixar film Luca, the short was released on November 12, 2021, on Disney+. Like the movie, it received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its animation, humor, and emotional weight, with positive messages being well-received. Plot After receiving a letter from Luca, who is away at school in Genoa with Giulia, Alberto writes back about his life in Portorosso and working at the town fishery with Giulia's father Massimo Marcovaldo. Alberto has been fully accepted by the townspeople and no longer hides his identity as a sea monster. However, despite Alberto's enthusiasm for his job, his relationship with Massimo is terse, as the elder fisherman barely speaks to him except to warn him against using their fishing boat without supervision. It becomes apparent that Alberto is desperate for Massimo's approval, and he worries constantly about being "fired" for his mistakes. Alberto tries to make his fish deliveries more expedient but keeps tossing the wrong fish to the wrong people. He attempts to cook lunch for Massimo but makes a mess of the kitchen. While Massimo converses with a customer, Alberto tries to lift a whole barrel of fish, only to buckle under the weight. Massimo lunges to save him but falls into the water with the barrel, losing their day's catch. That night, Alberto sneaks out of the house and takes the fishing boat to catch more fish, hoping to make up for the loss. He is startled by Machiavelli the cat, who stowed away on the boat, causing him to drop his lantern and accidentally set the boat on fire. They manage to escape just as Massimo races down to see the damage. Alberto sheepishly tries to explain himself, but Massimo only narrows his eyes and silently stares at the boat. Heartbroken by his inability to impress Massimo, Alberto packs his belongings and leaves. Massimo rushes after him, imploring him to reconsider. Alberto lambastes himself for his failures and questions why Massimo even bothered to come after him. As Massimo reaches out for him, Alberto blurts, "Just let me go, Dad!", shocking them both. Massimo reveals that he once made his own father angry enough to punch through a brick wall, but afterwards they made up by fixing it together.