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Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez is not just a movie, it’s a cultural lightning rod. Pferfe as Netflix’s riskiest original release of the year, this Spanish-language musical has grossed an impressive number of fans and critical acclaim while generating controversy over its trans character and narrative approach. It is a piece of art and social cause advocacy, as Emilia Pérez is a drama, musical, and highly debated film about diversity and inclusiveness and conformity and non-conformity to the norms of cinema.
Emilia Perez is now the 1# Most Popular movie on Netflix! 🍿👌🏽 love this for @selenagomez pic.twitter.com/KuSvaE1RnX
— Neo (@S_titch24) November 19, 2024
Emilia Pérez: A Plot That Defies Expectations
Set in Mexico, Emilia Pérez tells the story of a fearsome cartel leader who fakes their death to escape a life of crime and transitions into a new life as a woman. This transformation is facilitated by a defense attorney, played by Zoe Saldaña, who specializes in keeping cartel leaders out of jail but is given a chance to do good. Meanwhile, Selena Gomez portrays the cartel leader’s glamorous accomplice, adding Hollywood star power to the film.
The plot takes a twist as the story transitions from the dusty streets of Mexico to the snowy landscapes of Switzerland, evoking comparisons to The Sound of Music. If that’s not enough, Emilia Pérez is also a musical, with flamboyant performances that elevate its daring narrative.
Trans Representation and Criticism
At the center of the controversy is the portrayal of transgender issues. While the lead role is played by Karla Sofía Gascón, a trans actress, many critics feel the film falls short of authentically representing trans lives.
Drew Burnett Gregory of Autostraddle called out the movie for including outdated trans tropes, such as “deadnaming” and framing transition as a form of death. Similarly, The Cut’s Harron Walker expressed disappointment, stating that she expected more informed storytelling from a filmmaker like Jacques Audiard, known for his sensitive portrayals of diverse lives.
Nonetheless, its defenders believe that it contains worthy messages, especially regarding the choice of the principal character, the first transsexual in mass movie productions. Gascón’s cast has received much acclaim, with many people believing that she managed to add humanity to an incredibly complicated character.
Why the Backlash?
Like many politicians, women, and Mexicans, Emilia Pérez has been criticized by both the right and the left.
- Of course, left-wing criticisms are centered on the extent to which the movie failed to portray a realistic representation of transsexual individuals.
- Conservative voices that dissected the film reproached the movie for misleading those of the liberal bent by elaborating on the subject of gender reassignment.
Nat Jones of Vulture summed it up by stating, “Emilia Pérez doesn’t have much to say about the lived experience of trans people because it’s not really about them, it’s about the spectacle.”
The Power of Star Performances
Some people liked the plot others didn’t, but the acting has been praised as one of the movie’s biggest strong suits.
- Karla Sofía Gascón: In the title role, Gascón shows her sensitivity and authority; the film will likely garner her a Best Actress Oscar nomination.
- Zoe Saldaña: Despite being set against the background of the Musketeers film, D’Artagnan comes across as a serious motion picture due to her acting ingenuity.
- Selena Gomez: With charm and charisma, Gomez has joined the ranks of the show’s supporters and, despite controversy, looks proud. In an interview, she said she has “no regrets” for accepting the role.
Read More: Selena Gomez in Emilia Pérez Shares “No Regrets” for Spanish Movie
Mixed Reception: A Divided Audience
On Rotten Tomatoes, Emilia Pérez has an 82% critic score and an 80% audience score, reflecting its polarizing nature. It can be applauded for its daring or criticized for getting it wrong with important issues at its disposal.
Tellingly, the movie bagged two awards at the Cannes Film Festival, which must have propelled more Oscar campaigns. Analysts have likened its path to Parasite, an international film that had similarly dismantled the Best Picture at the Oscars.
Breaking Through Language Barriers
Perhaps among the most interesting aspects of Emilia Pérez is that it has become international. Even though it is a Spanish language film, its response has been better in the English speaking world than in the Spanish speaking world. The Factiva archive reveals that the majority (36.5% of the film’s media coverage was published in English, making it a cross-over film.
Marketing has been central in Netflix’s rise to prominence, helping place Emilia Pérez as a show to watch among international audiences.
A Reflection of Hollywood’s Changing Landscape
The case of Emilia Pérez is quite typical for the changes in the cinematographic business. Situated within this context, future discussions among filmmakers are as follows: How do the representatives strike a balance between meeting the audiences’ expectations and providing them with their creative interpretation of diversity?
While Emilia Pérez may not satisfy everyone, its willingness to tackle complex themes and push boundaries makes it a significant cultural artifact.
Final Thoughts: Should You Watch Emilia Pérez?
Love it or hate it, Emilia Pérez is a film that deserves attention. With its highly charged storyline, stiff cast, and societal significance, it can be rated as one of the best movies of this year’s releases. If ever there was a film that one cannot simply turn their eyes away from, then that film would be Emilia Pérez.
Have you seen Emilia Pérez? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
