Multiplexes have been riddled with the remnants of musicals past in recent years with some having succeeded, like 2023’s Wonka, and others crashing and burning like Joker Folie á Deux earlier this year. Audiences have had mixed reactions to the genre with studios going to great lengths to conceal that films even have a musical element to them until audiences reach their seats. A new musical hits theaters and Netflix this month that will seek to make its own mark on audiences.
In Emilia Pérez, Rita Moro Castro (Zoe Saldana), a Dominican lawyer living in Mexico, dreams of moving up in her profession. While contemplating her path, she receives an unexpected offer to help feared cartel boss Manitas Del Monte (Karla Sofía Gascón) retire from his business and disappear forever by transitioning into the woman he’s always dreamed of being. Rita helps him accomplish this and goes on to become a high powered lawyer in London. She’s soon approached by a mysterious, wealthy woman named Emilia Pérez who turns out to be Manitas in his new, transitioned persona. Emilia asks Rita to reunite him with his wife Jessi (Selena Gomez) and their children under the guise of being a long lost cousin who will be helping the family out in Manitas’ absence. After their reunification, the complications of the arrangement soon arise.
Emilia Pérez is a musical in the truest sense of the word, but its musical numbers flow well within the film’s structure and don’t take you out of it at all. The amount of musical numbers are well balanced also, with the majority of them coming in the beginning of the film with the narrative part of the script becoming the main focus just as the film moves toward its last half and climax. This structural decision was a smart one from director Jacques Audiard as it allows the viewer to settle in and become engrossed in the story when needed sans any distraction. The musical numbers that are present serve to both entertain and provide a deeper look into the psyche of characters during pivotal moments of the plot. Whether it’s an elaborate ensemble number that Rita sings during a banquet of corrupt Mexican officials that excoriates them for their hypocrisy or her initial negotiations with Manitas’ potential surgeon over his readiness, the musical sections of Emilia Pérez are well written and choreographed while advancing the plot and character study within it.
The subject of the film is, of course, a controversial one. Transgender issues are a hot button topic that evokes emotion in many people. Emilia Pérez handles the Manitas’ transition with appropriate care and evenhandedness, considering both Manitas’ lifelong feelings of gender dysphoria and the fallout of the his deciding to leave his family behind while transitioning into Emilia and his subsequent decision to reunite with them under his new identity. Emilia’s desire to see and live with his children again isn’t treated as a cut and dry positive thing, Emilia’s actions toward her and her ability to move on with her life are given real consideration with its effect on Jessi and Emilia’s selfishness put on full display. Transitioning can be complicated not just for the person doing it, but their loved ones as well, and Emilia Pérez’s dramatized portrayal of these issues does well in making the audience think deeply about the emotional component of the issue while satisfying the less serious aspect of being entertaining and compelling. Thematically, the question at the heart of Emilia’s story is what lengths would a person go to in order to become who they feel compelled to be? Would you sacrifice family? Morality? It’s not an easy question which the film displays in an effective way.
Past its examination of trans issues, Emilia Peréz expands its social commentary into Mexican cartel violence and its effects on the country’s populace. Once Emilia returns to Mexico, she makes an effort to atone for her past as the head of a violent cartel by using her money, underworld connections, and resources to spearhead a movement to find and identify murder victims of cartel violence so that their families may have closure. As Emilia has now found peace in her life, she seeks to offer the same to some of those she has hurt in her past. This aspect of the story shines a spotlight on the issue of violence in the country and also highlights its effect on the families of the victims and what they go through not knowing the fate of their loved ones.
Emilia Pérez is an entertaining musical with an engrossing plot that mixes social commentary with a compelling story well. The cast all does well in their roles led by Zoe Saldana, with Selena Gomez also shining as Jessi, and the film’s musical numbers are both well crafted and interwoven within the narrative effectively. The film is a pleasant surprise and an enjoyable watch that is sure to satisfy many viewers.
Image: Netflix
