44/46
France’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards, 2025
Synopsis
Emilia Pérez follows four remarkable women in Mexico, each seeking their own happiness. Cartel boss Emilia enlists the help of Rita, an under-recognized lawyer, to fake her death so she can finally live authentically as her true self. Karla Sofía Gascón talks about the two years of preparation that went into 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. A French title card misspells the Indian city as “Dehli.” Seen in Latino Slant: La Bamba Remake, Tarantino has a BIG mouth, the SPICE of Jenna & Selena Shocked! (2024).
El AlegatoWritten by Camille (as C
Dalmais), Clément Ducol and Jacques AudiardSung by Zoe Saldana. Emilia Pérez left me disappointed rather than inspired. On paper, the premise – a cartel boss who takes on a new identity in a violent and hypermasculine world – offers enormous potential. Unfortunately, that promise is not delivered on in the film’s execution. The lack of focus and disjointed narrative left much to be desired, making the film a frustrating experience.One of my biggest issues is that the story tries to cover too many topics without committing to one.
The film has its strengths
Is it a film about transition? Sometimes yes, but it only scratches the surface. Instead of dealing with 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 made the film seem aimless, as if it was afraid to delve into the depth that the main premise demanded. The musical numbers are surprisingly engaging and, for me, the only element that worked throughout.
Visually, Emilia Pérez also impressed me in places
Even as someone who isn’t the biggest musical fan, I appreciated these moments, especially those involving Emilia herself. When the character sings, there is an emotional resonance that the rest of the film fails to capture. The creative use of light and shadow, especially in intense scenes, stood out. It felt like a clever way to evoke tension and emotion without resorting to expensive effects. For example, in a car crash scene, it managed to convey the 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. When the film ended, I was left with no strong emotions or questions, just a sense of disappointment about what could have been. Overall, while Emilia Pérez has some standout moments, its inability to fully commit to its main premise left me dissatisfied. It’s a film that tries too much and ends up achieving too little. No need to waste time scrolling endlessly—here’s the full lineup of new movies and TV shows streaming on Netflix this month.