18/14
A French title card misspells the Indian city as "Dehli"
Emilia Pérez follows four remarkable women in Mexico, each pursuing their own happiness. Cartel leader Emilia enlists Rita, an unappreciated lawyer, to help fake her death so that she can finally live authentically as her true self.. Karla Sofía Gascón talks about the two years of preparation that went into this demanding role in Jacques Audiard's film, and about the two extremes of her own personality that she had to play as Emilia and Manitas.. Jacques Audiard said he became inspired for the idea of the musical from a chapter in a novel about a drug trafficker who yearns to change his identity.. Featured in Latino Slant: La Bamba Remake, Tarantino has a BIG Mouth, the SPICE of Jenna & Selena Shocks!
El AlegatoWritten by Camille (as C
(2024). Dalmais), Clément Ducol and Jacques AudiardPerformed by Zoe Saldana. Emilia Pérez left me feeling more disappointed than inspired. On paper, the premise,a cartel boss transitioning into a new identity in a violent and hyper-masculine world, offers immense potential. Unfortunately, the film's execution doesn't deliver on that promise.
Is it a movie about transitioning?
Its lack of focus and disjointed narrative left too much to be desired, making it a frustrating experience.One of my biggest issues is how the story tries to explore too many themes without committing to any. At times, yes, but it only scratches the surface. Instead of delving into the emotional and physical complexities of transitioning, especially from such a unique position of power and violence, the film pivots into unrelated directions,becoming a kidnapping story, a love triangle, a commentary on Mexican struggles, and more. These shifts made it feel aimless, as if it was afraid to commit to the depth that the main premise demanded.The film does have its strengths. The musical numbers are surprisingly engaging and, for me, the only element that consistently worked.
The creative use of lighting and shadows, particularly in intense scenes, stood out
Even as someone who isn't the biggest fan of musicals, I found myself appreciating these moments, especially those centered on Emilia herself. There's an emotional resonance when the character sings that the rest of the film fails to capture.Visually, Emilia Pérez also impressed me in places. It felt like a clever way to evoke tension and emotion without relying on expensive effects. For example, a car crash scene managed to convey the chaos without showing every detail, which I thought was a smart and effective choice.However, these positives don't outweigh the film's inconsistency. The lack of focus made it difficult to connect with the characters or their struggles.
It's a film that tries to do too much and ends up achieving too little
By the time the movie ended, I wasn't left with any strong emotions or questions, just a sense of disappointment for what could have been.Overall, while Emilia Pérez has some standout moments, its inability to fully commit to its main premise left me unsatisfied.