Bernie Lumen — hero

Hero Overview

Bùrdì "Bernie" Lumen is the tritagonist of Pixar's 27th full-Length animated feature film Elemental.

He is the father of Ember Lumen, husband of Cinder Lumen, and founder of the store the Fireplace. Bernie doesn't like non-fire people so it adds tension to the film, and he wants his daughter to become the next owner of the store, even though Ember secretly doesn't want that.

He was voiced by Ronnie del Carmen in his first voice role.

Physical Appearance

Bernie's body is made of fire. He is a short man and is shorter than Ember, but taller than Cinder. He has short legs, round body, thick eyebrows, and amber eyes. Bernie wears black shorts. When working on Fireplace, he also wears a black apron.

Personality

Bernie is a hard working man, he strongly loves his family and respects all their traditions from their homeland. Bernie dedicates himself on his work in Fireplace and his family. He misses his family in their homeland in Fireland, as they haven't seen them since they left to Element City. Before leaving, Bernie bowed to his father, but his father didn't return his gesture and didn't give him his blessing. Nowadays, Bernie wishes their relatives from Fireland could see their life in Element City.

Because he and Cinder suffered prejudice from being fire elements when they arrived in Element City, both did not respect non-fire elements. Bernie had a bigger dislike on water elements because the water people were the ones who disrespected them the most. So when Wade Ripple came to his shop and claimed he was a "food inspector", Bernie made him eat extremely hot kol-nuts, and looked at him rather smug when Wade begins to suffer and feel pain from eating the hot food. When Wade watered down the nuts and said it tasted great once it was watered down, Bernie lost his patience and banned Wade from entering the Fireplace again. Also at first, he thinks Wade is the one who burst the pipes since his daughter, Ember, told him that. So he threatened Wade with a fireplace poker.

Bernie trusts Ember very much, as he wanted her to run Fireplace after he retires. Upon discovering Ember was going out with Wade and she was the one who damaged the pipes in the shop (which Wade accidentally revealed), Bernie got angry and disappointed with her, and changed his mind on letting her run the shop. When Firetown flooded, Bernie saw Ember going to the flooded Fireplace and was scared she would die. When he found her crying after Wade evaporated, Bernie finally realized how much she and Wade loved each other. When Ember confessed that she doesn't want to run Fireplace, Bernie assured her that his dream wasn't the shop, but her. This shows that Bernie cares more about Ember than the shop. When Ember realizes Wade has seeped into the stone ceiling, she asks Bernie to help make him drip back to his form. He does so by claiming that he is no longer banned from the shop. He was happy to see Ember and Wade reunite, but felt awkward when they kissed.

Currently, Bernie now accepts non-fire elements, such as Air, Earth, and Water in his life. He left the shop to be run by a fire couple who always make fun of his cooking. He now likes Wade and accepts him as his daughter's boyfriend, but is still unsure about how Wade cries over almost everything.

Physical appearance

Bernie is an elderly man with noticeable wrinkles under his eyes. Being a fire element, his entire body is made out of red, orange and yellow fire, forming a rather short, plump body slightly taller than Cinder's body, complete with eyebrows, a horn shaped nose, and eyes having a similar color scheme as fire.

Bernie wears minimal clothing; consisting of a pair of black shorts. To make it up for it, he wears a black apron when working at the Fireplace.

During the ceremony for his retirement, Bernie wears his casual shorts with a transparent red sleeveless vest with many colorful stones on it.

Appearances

Elemental

Bernie Lumen was born and grew up as Bùrdì in his native country Fire Land, Bernie met Cinder as Síddèr, they both got married, Cinder got pregnant, and they tried to open a store called Lumen's General Store, but a disastrous storm destroyed it just as it was completed. Then Bernie and Cinder decided to immigrate to started a better new life. Prior to immigrating from Fire Land with Cinder, Bernie had bowed to his father, who refused to bow back as he thought his son was defying Firish traditions by moving away. Bernie and Cinder arrived in Element City via boat, where they were given their legal names as opposed to their Firish ones. The couple had a difficult time finding residency since other elements, Water, Earth, and Air, were xenophobic toward them. As a result, Bernie developed a prejudice against non-Fire elements, especially Water (Which means it hit him, if Air, Earth especially Water hate him because he's not none of those 3 elements, then he has to hate the 3 elements too, because they are not Fire).

Bernie and Cinder eventually found a rundown building in an Earth neighborhood and established the Fireplace, a convenience store. Soon, Bernie's daughter, Ember, was born, and together, they lit the Blue Flame, a fire that represents Firish heritage and traditions. Overtime, the Fireplace became a popular spot, attracting many Fire element patrons. And soon, the surrounding neighborhood became Firetown, a dominantly Fire district with some Earth elements remaining. Bernie promised his daughter the reins of the Fireplace when he retires.

Years passed and Bernie became increasingly exhausted with working at the Fireplace, often coughing up smoke. Though Ember was of age to take over the shop, Bernie worried her daughter's temper would create problems and urged her to control it. Ember insisted to doing deliveries, and Bernie was agreed. After she did deliveries, Bernie asked Ember to be in charge of The Red Dot Sale tomorrow, and Ember promised him that she won't let him down.

Next morning, Bernie woke up and then he saw Ember chasing a Water guy named Wade Ripple. Then He found out that Water leaks began to emerge at the Fireplace through its plumbing, confusing and frustrating him. When Ember came back and went to fix the pipes, Bernie asked her if Wade burst the pipes her daughter said Yes and that's why she chased him but she couldn't catch him, (As years passed Bernie is now more rancorous and cantankerous with Water than ever, and he thought Wade burst the pipes, because Water always tried and wanted to get him, his wife and daughter watered down, included the shop, but actually was Ember who caused the leak in the shop but she didn't mean to do that, and Wade is a city inspector who was sucked into the basement by Ember, and wrote her 30 tickets to get the shop shut down in a week, and that's why Ember chased him, then she finally convinced him, and Wade decided to assist her). Cinder told Bernie that they will get through this just like before, then Cinder told Ember the reason why she and Bernie left Fire Land and came to Element City to built the shop, about Fire Land was, what there was and about the storm. Ember promised to Bernie that nothing is gonna happen to the shop or the blue flame (Ember knew that she must save the shop from being shut down in Friday, and she been agree to not tell Bernie about the shut down, because she wanted him to stay out of this).

Upon another series of leaks in Thursday, Bernie found Ember with Wade into the basement, So he threatened him with a poker saying to him that he's the guy who started all this. then Ember firms that Wade is a different guy. Then Bernie noticed Wade's name tag, and asked Wade if he's a city inspector, and Ember said no. (As she knew about him since she burst the pipes, and she was dating with him, Ember acted like she didn't know Wade. Also she didn't said nothing to her father about the shop was going to be shut down in Friday which is tomorrow). But Bernie didn't believe it, then he ask Wade why he's pocking around, is because the water leak, and then Ember said No. Not because of water in any way, and she affirmed that Wade is a different kind of inspector. Wade claimed to be a food inspector. Bernie thought Wade was lying (Actually he was really liying because he is not a real food inspector), but then Bernie challenged Wade by making him eat hot kol-nuts and angrily toke him photo and banned him from the shop when the latter watered down Bernie's food to his liking (Bernie considered Wade as one of his bad Water people who's trying or wants to water him and his family down. Also Wade is not the only non-fire element who's been banned from the shop, Bernie banned an Earth person, and because of that, Clod is not allowed in the shop).

Feeling Ember was ready to take over the Fireplace, Bernie announced that his retirement is in two days, and gifted Ember with a new store sign bearing her name. Bernie told Ember how his father refused to bow back to him when he left his homeland.

Two days later, Bernie organized a party from The Fireplace's re-opening. Just before promoting Ember, Wade appeared, and told Ember in front her parents, and the crowd, that she told him that Being not understanding is a reason that he and Ember could never work, but Wade thought another reasons (Yesterday, Ember told him that, when realized that she have to do her family duty). Wade count the reasons, Number 1: Ember is Fire, and Wade is Water, (Back to yesterday, Ember also told him that, she said that is Fire, and she can't be anything more than that, is what she is and what her family is, it's their way of life). Bernie annoyed when he saw Wade, he did not recognized him, and asked Cinder who is he, and Cinder said that she had no idea (Obviously, Cinder knows Wade since two days ago, when she smelled love on Ember going to the Water district, into Wade's mother's place, waiting for a call from Gale Cumulus). Back to Wade, He continued counting, Number 2: Wade is crashing the party, Number 3: Water cannot eat Fire delicious foods. Then Bernie recognized when Wade said food, He told Cinder that Wade is the food inspector, Wade paid attention to Bernie when he recognized him, and Wade continued, Number 4: Wade is banned from Bernie's shop. Wade told Ember that there are a million reasons why this cannot work, but there is also one reason why this can work. Ember and Wade touched, and when they did something, something impossible happened to them, they changed each other chemistry (Bernie and Cinder and the crowd, got shocked when Wade said that, and Bernie got exasperated because he still don't trust any Water person and Bernie could not believe it, Fire and Water supposed to not touch, they never did or try, until now). Bernie stand close to Wade and asked him what kind of food inspection is this (It means What in the flame is going on here, because Bernie still don't trust any Water person). Wade answered that is a food inspection of the heart, Bernie asked Wade who is he, Wade said that he's just a guy who burst into Ember's life in a flooded old basement. Then Bernie told Wade that he is the one who burst the pipes, and Wade inadvertently letting it slip that Ember initially caused the Fireplace's leaks due to her temper during the Red Dot Sale when Wade tried to explain Bernie that this is a big misunderstanding (which means Wade accidentally snitched on Ember). Bernie did not realized that Ember letted him down when she accidentaly burst the pipes. Wade tried to cheer her up and make her let her father know who she really is. Wade told Ember that he had regrets when his dad died, but because of her, he learned to embrace the light when it burns, then he said You don't have forever to said what you need to say. Wade confessed that he loves Ember, and he's pretty sure Ember loves him too. Ember said that she doesn't love Wade (Ember knows that she do loves him but she also knows that Bernie is not agree because he hates Wade's element that ever. Also Ember told Wade yesterday that he doesn't know what it's like to have parents who gave up everything for him, she cannot throw all of that away "Her family, her father's blessing, the promotion and her family's traditions" just for him "It means that Ember cannot sacrificed everything for Wade". Also Ember was afraid what happened to her father would happen to her). Cinder affirmed that this isn't true, and she did their smoke reading (Cinder also toke them to her matchmaking office to prove that fire and water cannot be together, Ember lights a stick with her finger, and Wade stood in front of Ember to lift the shirt, using his transparent body as a magnifying glass, so Ember's face would be reflected, and the stick would light up. Cinder sniffed it and couldn't tell because Bernie woke up hearing the noises, they had to take him out of the store, because Wade is still banned, and because Bernie still hates him pretty easily. Cinder realized that she was wrong about Fire and Water cannot be together), Cinder affirmed to Bernie that is Love, is True Love, Bernie got shocked (Even though Cinder is right, her husband is the one who always wants to be right about the fact that the water people have always wanted to water the Fire people down.). Then Ember tried to not be a bad daughter for Bernie, telling that her mother is wrong (Ember promised her mother's mother that she would marry fire, not that she would marry water, not while Ember has her father being wary of water. ), and Ember angrily ordered Wade to leave, telling him that she don't loves him, Wade was heartbroken then he placed a glass vivisteria at her feet and sadly walked away (That glass vivisteria was made by Ember when she and Wade were in the beach to make more sand bags after Bernie banned Wade from the shop that day, Wade took the glass vivivsteria and gave it to Ember telling her that it's special. Then after learned that Bernie was cursed by his father and will retire in two days, Ember gave the glass vivisteria to Wade as a gift so he can remember her and she said goodbye forever Wade, knowing that take over the shop means work 24/7 and no time to see Wade again, repeat, Ember will not see Wade ever again taking over the shop. But Wade takes her to the flooded Garden Central Station where Gale creates an air bubble for Ember to travel in so she can see the Vivisteria underwater. The moment is perfect, but Wade soon rushes Ember out when the bubble begins to shrink. Ember reveals that she was excited over the daring escapade and this convinces Wade to suggest that the two of them touch hands for the first time.). Bernie could not believe it what Cinder and Wade said, and he is seeing the glass vivisteria at Ember's feet (Bernie remembers when he toke Ember to see the vivisterias flowers when she was a kid, she was so excited, but as Fire was new in Element City, and Air, Earth, and Water was xenophobic to Fire people, they did not allow the fire to enter the Garden Central Station, Bernie was angry and embarrassed, The building flooded a few years later. So, Ember had no chance to see a Vivisteria, until now). Bernie angrily rebuked Ember for seeing a water element this all week (Bernie tell her that as an obvious guess, as he remains wary of water-people and resists this change), for causing the leak in the shop and defying his trust. Bernie denied Ember the store and renounces his retirement as a punishment (Bernie cursed Ember, just like Bernie was cursed by his father, He did what his father did, denying to giving his child his blessing for some things that the child did against the father, "Different life, different event, same story, same mistake and same trauma", and he didn't realize, also Ember didn't want to disappoint Bernie, as he didn't want disappoint his dad. All Ember wanted was to be a good daughter to Bernie, as he wanted to be a good son to his father). Bernie will never accept Wade after how his people treated him since 22 years ago, much less when he loves Ember, Bernie doubts it and always will, unless Wade does a feat of bravery, an act of true love, an act of sacrifice for Ember, an act to letting Bernie see that Wade cares a lot about Ember (As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words).

The next day, Cinder and Bernie are cleaning up the shop after the party while Ember takes time to herself. When Firetown began to flood (due to a broken dam that Ember and Wade tried to mend), Bernie and Cinder managed to reach safe ground, but their daughter was trapped in the Fireplace with Wade while she's saving the Blue Flame from getting wet (Ember did what Bernie did, saving the Blue Flame from being extinguished). After the flood receded, Bernie found Ember alone and safe with the Blue Flame, but Wade had evaporated due to being stuck in an enclosed space with Ember. Bernie comforted Ember as she confessed her love for Wade and admits she doesn't want to take over the Fireplace, her father's dream. He assured her that the shop was never his dream, but having her as his daughter was his dream (Which means Bernie didn't move to Element City to open a business; He moved to Element City to give Ember a safe and promising life. repeat, the dream was in Ember’s happiness and success and not simply running the shop. Also Bernie did not sacrificed everything for Ember; He sacrificed Ember for everything). When Ember realizes Wade has seeped into the stone ceiling, she plays the crying game to get him to drip back into his normal form. Upon Cinder's urging, Bernie plays along by claiming that Wade is no longer banned from the Fireplace. He looks on happily as his daughter is reunited with her love, but he looks away awkwardly when the couple kiss.

Months later, Bernie has retired, handing the reins of the Fireplace to a couple of Fire elements who frequented the shop. Bernie, now more accepting towards Air, Earth, and Water elements (Bernie was blind when he believed Wade was a destructive force, but when Wade helps Ember to save the Blue Flame, he admitted he was wrong. Bernie couldn't believe that his fear of disappointing his father, and his prejudice, affected him), watched Ember and Wade off as they leave far away so his daughter can study glassmaking. Before Ember leaves, she bows to Bernie. He tearfully bows back (Maybe Bernie didn't get his dad's blessing when he bowed, nor did he give his blessing to Ember when he was leaving and hand over the store to Ember at the re-opening knowing that Ember was dating Wade and she accidentally burst the pipes and caused water leaks in the shop, but at least in the end, Bernie did what his father didn't do, bowing back to Ember before she leaves).

Trivia

Like Cinder, Bernie is similar to King Triton from The Little Mermaid as both were prejudiced against a certain species for their daughters after they fall in love with one of them (humans for Triton after Ariel fell in love with Eric and non-fire elements for Bernie after Ember fell in love with Wade), until they both got over it.
Bernie bears a striking resemblance to The Human Torch from Fantastic Four, Heatblast from Ben 10 and Fireboy from Fireboy and Watergirl.
A running gag in film includes Bernie mispronouncing the word "ban" to "pan" after he banned Wade from his shop when he claimed he was a food inspector.

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Disney Princesses (LEGO Disney Princess: The Castle Quest)

Crossover Characters/Special Guests
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Heroes

Lumen Family
Ember Lumen | Bernie Lumen | Cinder Lumen

Ripple Family
Alan Ripple | Wade Ripple

Others
Gale Cumulus