changing her identity
Scenario
Emilia Perez follows four extraordinary women in Mexico, each searching for their own happiness. Cartel leader Emilia hires Rita, an underrated lawyer, to help her fake her death so she can finally live authentically as her real self. Karla Sofia Gascón talks about the two years of preparation for this challenging role in Jacques Audiard’s film and the two extremes of her own personality that she had to play in the roles of Emilia and Manita. The French title card misspells the Indian city as “Dehli”. Pictured in Latin: La Bamba Remake , Tarantino has a BIG mouth, PICY Jenna & Selena shocked! (2024).
El Alego Written by Camille (as C
Dalmais), Clément Ducol and Jacques Audiard Performed by Zoe Saldana. Emilia Pérez disappointed me more than she inspired me. On paper, the premise, a cartel boss transitioning into a new identity in a violent and hyper-masculine world, seems to offer a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the film’s delivery falls short of that promise. Its lack of focus and inconsistent storytelling leave a lot 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 of them.
The film has its strengths
Is this a film about transitioning? Occasionally, yes, but that’s just scratching the surface. Rather than delving into the emotional and physical complexities of transitioning, especially from such a unique position of power and violence, the film veers off in uneven directions, becoming a kidnapping story, a love triangle, a commentary on Mexican struggles, and more. These shifts left it feeling aimless, as if afraid to commit in the way its core premise demanded. The musical numbers are surprisingly catchy and, in my opinion, the only element that worked consistently. Even though I’m not a huge fan of musicals, I appreciate these moments, especially the ones centered around Emilia.
Visually, Emilia Pérez impressed me in places
When the character sings, there’s an emotional resonance that the rest of the film fails to capture. The creative use of light and shadow, especially in the intense scenes, stood out. It felt like a smart way to create tension and emotion without relying on expensive effects. For example, the car crash scene managed to convey 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.
This is a film that tries to do too much and ultimately achieves too little
By the end of the film, I was left with no strong emotions or questions, only disappointment about what could have been. Overall, while Emilia Pérez has a few standout moments, her inability to fully commit to her core premise left me unsatisfied.