A striking musical drama, written and directed by Jacques Audiard, Emilia Perez constantly shocks and surprises.
Rita (Zoe Saldana) is an overqualified and undervalued lawyer at a Mexican firm that is more interested in getting criminals off the hook than bringing them to justice.
After one such case, she is sought out by whispered, gravelly voiced cartel leader Manitas (Karla Sofia Gascon), who has a most unusual request.
Married to Jessi (Selena Gomez), the pair has two young children, but since he was child he felt he was a female in a male body.
So, he wants to leave his old life behind and start anew, without telling his wife and children.
Manitas proposes to make Rita rich if – on the quiet – she can orchestrate a sex change operation for him and the new life he so desperately wants.
But four years on, the story takes another twist as Manitas, now having assumed the name Emilia Perez, is pining for her son and daughter.
So, Rita is called back into service, this time with Emilia Perez posing as the kids’ aunt to bring them and Manitas’ “widow” back into her life.
In a world crowded with derivative films, Emilia Perez stands out as unique.
There is an edginess to the movie throughout.
At no point are you on solid ground believing you know where it is headed, although violence remains a mainstay in the production.
As characters break out into song (I found the musical choices compelling), the lyrics help to propel the narrative and provide context to what is happening.
Audiard used Boris Razon’s novel Ecoute, which features a transgender drug dealer who wants to have surgery, as a starting point.
As the character in the book wasn’t that developed over the following chapters, Audiard decided to start his story there.
In a performance worthy of an Oscar, Zoe Saldana is stunning.
Distinguished by her passion, naturalism and intensity, she plays the Svengali, who becomes integral to the path chosen by Manitas cum Emilia Perez.
I couldn’t take my eyes off Saldana.
Karla Sofia Gascon transitions her character effortlessly from male to female.
It is Gascon who continues to pull the strings, time and again changing direction.
I highly commend Emilia Perez as a picture that is intriguing and engaging throughout.
Rated MA, it scores a 9 out of 10.
Comentários