Emilia Perez (2024)

Director: Jacques Audiard

Starring: Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez

Emilia Pérez follows four remarkable women in Mexico, each pursuing their own happiness. Cartel leader Emilia enlists unappreciated lawyer Rita to help fake her death so that she can finally live authentically as her true self.

‘Emilia Perez’ really caused a stir. There’s so much controversy around this film, and so many who absolutely love it while so many detest it. Most of the criticism seem to come from Spanish speaking people. Since I don’t speak Spanish and don’t know anything about Mexican culture, I obviously can’t comment on that aspect of the film. Therefore I will review it on its entertainment value (for me).

Shortly after winning a murder case, attorney Rita (Zoe Saldana) is contacted by crime boss Manitas. Tired of a life of violence, he wants to start a new life…as a woman. He requests Rita to do research on gender-affirming surgery, and promises to reward her richly. However, Manitas is married and he has children. In order from him to become the woman he always wanted to be, his family is to be told he was killed by his enemies.

Four years after his surgery, Manitas is known as Emilia Perez. Longing for his family, he once again contacts Rita to ensure their reunion, with Emilia supposedly being their Aunt. Regretting his past, Emilia is now doing good in his new life, but – when things start going wrong – old habits seem to die hard…

I absolutely love this movie! I love the music, the musical segments, and the performances by Zoe Saldana as Rita and Karla Sofía Gascón as Emilia Perez. ‘Emilia Perez’ is a very different kind of musical, and I thought it was fresh and original. The film captured my attention from beginning to end.

At the time of writing this review, ‘Emilia Perez’ already received 307 award nominations, winning 84. It received 13 Oscar nominations (still pending at this stage): Best International Feature Film, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Original Song (2 nominations), Best Sound, Best Motion Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.

In Spanish.

Would I watch it again? Yes.