Emilia Pérez (2024)

I went in to see Emilia Pérez without knowing much about it other than it was getting lots of buzz at the Adelaide Film Festival that I attended where it was shown. It was a wonderful surprise. It is an unforgettable experience! This genre-bending masterpiece follows Rita, a crafty Mexico City lawyer who gets tangled up with Manitas, a notorious drug lord with an unusual request: he wants to fake his death, undergo gender reassignment surgery, and start a new life as Emilia. What could possibly go wrong?

This film has everything you could possibly want and more! This film, a narco-thriller-musical-comedy-drama, will captivate your attention like a disco ball at a cartel party. Director Jacques Audiard has pulled off a miracle here, juggling more balls than a circus clown and somehow making it look effortless.

The performances? Absolutely stellar. Karla Sofía Gascón knocks it out of the park in her dual role as Manitas/Emilia. She’s got the gravitas to play a fearsome drug lord and the vulnerability to portray a woman trying to find her place in the world. Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez bring their A-game too, proving they’re way more than just pretty faces in Hollywood.

Now, let’s talk about those musical numbers. These musical numbers are definitely not your typical Broadway fare. One moment, you find yourself tapping your feet to a catchy tune about sex-change operations (yes, you read that correctly), and the next, you’re immersed in a heart-wrenching ballad about lost love. It’s like The Godfather had a baby with La La Land, and that baby grew up listening to narcocorridos (a genre of Mexican music that narrates the stories of drug traffickers and the drug trade).

Audiard’s direction excels, maintaining a firm control over the narrative even when it flirts with telenovela territory. The cinematography is visually stunning, juxtaposing the gritty underbelly of Mexico City with the glitz and glamour of Emilia’s new life.

However, the story goes beyond mere entertainment. Emilia Pérez tackles some heavy themes, exploring identity, redemption, and the human cost of Mexico’s drug war. It’s a testament to Audiard’s skill that he can seamlessly blend these serious topics with moments of pure, unadulterated fun.

Is it perfect? Not quite. The pacing can be a bit uneven, and some viewers might find the tonal shifts jarring. But that’s part of the charm! The unpredictable nature of this movie adds to its excitement.

In the end, Emilia Pérez is like a piñata filled with cinematic goodies—you never know what you’re going to get, but it’s all pretty sweet. It’s bold, it’s bonkers, and it’s bound to be one of the most talked-about films of the year.

So, should you see it? Absolutely! However, you must set aside your preconceived notions and brace yourself for a cinematic journey that will evoke laughter, tears, and perhaps even a questioning of your own identity. It’s not every day you come across a movie that’s this original and this entertaining. Emilia Pérez is a stunner that proves sometimes, the craziest ideas make for the best movies. Don’t miss it!