About the film (courtesy of Netflix):
Through liberating song and dance and bold visuals, this odyssey follows the journey of four remarkable women in Mexico, each pursuing their own happiness. The fearsome cartel leader Emilia (Karla Sofía Gascón) enlists Rita (Zoe Saldaña), an unappreciated lawyer stuck in a dead-end job, to help fake her death so that Emilia can finally live authentically as her true self.
Emilia Pérez is not your typical movie. In fact, it’s hard to pin down exactly what it is. A crime thriller? Yes. A musical? Surprisingly, also yes. A poignant exploration of identity and second chances? Absolutely. French director Jacques Audiard throws genre conventions out the window and crafts a bold, mesmerizing, and utterly unique cinematic experience.
The film follows the story of Juan del Monte (Karla Sofía Gascón), a notorious Mexican cartel leader who undergoes gender affirmation surgery to become Emilia Pérez and escape her dangerous past. This sets off a chain of events that intertwine the lives of Emilia, her new confidant, Rita (Zoe Saldaña), Juan’s ex-wife, Jessi (Selena Gomez), and a web of characters caught in the crossfire.
What truly sets Emilia Pérez apart is its unexpected musical element. Imagine a gritty crime drama punctuated by spontaneous bursts of song and dance, and you’ll start to get the picture. It sounds bizarre, like dipping French fries in a chocolate milkshake, but somehow it works. The music, with its Latin influences and catchy melodies, adds an emotional depth and vibrancy to the storytelling. It’s as if the characters’ inner turmoil and passions find release through these musical interludes. Lin-Manuel Miranda would be proud.
Karla Sofía Gascón delivers a powerhouse performance as both the hardened cartel boss and the vulnerable Emilia. She navigates the complexities of the character with nuance and authenticity, capturing both the strength and fragility of a person undergoing a profound transformation. Zoe Saldaña is equally captivating as Rita, a woman grappling with her past legal life and her newly formed relationship Emilia. Saldaña’s character arc is a testament to the film’s exploration of love, loyalty, and respect for their friendship.
Audiard’s direction is masterful, weaving a tapestry of intrigue, humor, and heartfelt emotion. The film is visually stunning, with vibrant colors and dynamic camerawork that capture the energy of the story. The supporting cast, including Selena Gomez and Edgar Ramírez, add depth and complexity to the narrative, ensuring that every character feels fully realized.
Emilia Pérez is not without its flaws. At times, the plot can feel slightly convoluted, and the pacing occasionally falters. However, these minor shortcomings are easily overshadowed by the film’s sheer audacity and originality. Given that about 95% of the dialogue and singing are in Spanish, there’s a lot of reading to be had, which did hinder MY enjoyment slightly. It also caused me to unplug from the beautiful imagery and choreography at certain points, but this is more of an observation. It’s a wild ride that will keep you on tightly engaged, tapping your toes, and pondering the complexities of identity and human connection.
Don’t miss Emilia Pérez when opens in select theaters Friday, November 1st. And don’t fret if it’s not available at a theaters near you as it hits Netflix starting November 13th. It’s a cinematic experience unlike any other, and a testament to the power of film to surprise, challenge, and move us. Check it out.
