150 Word Review: 'Emilia Pérez' (2024)
¿De qué hablamos hoy y ahora?
French director Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez is firmly grounded in timely issues like Mexico's drug war and trans identity, yet it comes off like a fantasy written by a man who has never been to Mexico or met a trans person. I don't know if either is true.
This means his exploitative and sincere experimental musical lacks authenticity, which almost works in the movie's favor. It's a fantasy! And yet, the story sounds like a cynical corporate brainstorm: a Mexican lawyer is hired to help a fearsome drug lord transition into living as a woman.
But Emilia Pérez almost overcomes its flaws thanks to oddly intense, catchy Spanish-language songs and a remarkable cast. Once unleashed, Emilia Perez is a surprisingly entertaining political drama about self-actualization. Zoe Saldana can sing and dance, who knew? Selena Gomez glowers. Emilia herself, played by trans woman Karla Sofia Gascón, is a sensual, charismatic force.