16/10
On a French cover, the Indian city is misspelled as « Dehli »
Scenario
Emilia Pérez follows four remarkable women in Mexico, each searching for their own happiness. Cartel leader Emilia enlists Rita, a disgraced lawyer, to help her fake her death so she can finally live authentically as her true self. Karla Sofía Gascón talks about the two years of preparation it took to play this demanding role in Jacques Audiard’s film, and the two extremes of her own personality that she had to play as Emilia and Manitas. Jacques Audiard said that the idea for the musical was inspired by a chapter in his novel about a drug trafficker who yearns to change her identity. Latino Slant: La Bamba Remake, Tarantino has a BIG Mouth, Jenna & SPICE; Selena Shock! (2024).
El Alegato Written by Camille (as C
Dalmais), Clément Ducol and Jacques Audiard Performed 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, holds enormous potential. Unfortunately, the film’s execution fails to deliver on that promise. The lack of focus and disjointed narrative left too much to be desired, making for a frustrating experience. One of my biggest issues is how the story tries to explore too many themes without committing to them.
The film has its strengths
Is this a film about transition? At times, yes, but it only scratches the surface. Instead of delving into the emotional and physical complexities of transition, especially from such a unique position of power and violence, the film veers off in unrelated directions, becoming a kidnapping story, a love triangle, a commentary on Mexican struggles, and more. These shifts felt aimless, as if afraid to commit to the depth required by the main premise. The musical numbers are surprisingly catchy, and for me, the only element that worked consistently. Even as someone who isn’t the biggest fan of musicals, I found myself appreciating these moments, especially those centered around Emilia herself.
Visually, Emilia Pérez also impressed me in places
There’s an emotional resonance when the character sings that the rest of the film fails to capture. She was highlighted by the creative use of lighting and shadows, especially in intense scenes. It seemed like a smart way to evoke tension and emotion without relying on expensive effects. For example, in a car accident, they 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 inconsistencies. 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 ends up achieving too little
By the time the film ended, I was left with no strong emotions or questions, just a sense of disappointment at what could have been. Overall, while Emilia Pérez has some standout moments, her inability to fully commit to her main premise left me unsatisfied.