The daring “Emilia Perez” is a journey of self-discovery. It’s a tense crime thriller and intense drama. It’s a moving story of rebirth and redemption.
And it’s also a stirring musical. Netflix’s genre-defying film has become an awards season darling. The foreign-language musical won four awards at the Golden Globes, including best picture for a comedy or musical.
Is “Emilia Perez” deserving of the awards hype? Absolutely. Director Jacques Audiard’s ambitious effort is one of the most compelling films of the last year. The unusual hybrid features phenomenal performances, fascinating musical numbers and a willingness to take risks.
“Emilia Perez” follows a Mexican cartel leader (Karla Sofia Gascon) who wants to transition into a woman and escape his dangerous lifestyle. Manitas seeks out underrated lawyer Rita (Zoe Saldana) to help him secretly arrange gender-affirming surgery. When Manitas fakes his death, Emilia Perez is born.
But in becoming who she was meant to be, Emilia must give up her family, including wife Jessi (Selena Gomez) and their two children. Starting a new life, Emilia finds freedom. When she realizes she can’t live without her children, Rita helps her find a way to bring Jessi and the kids back into her life.
As Emilia finds a new purpose, she wrestles with her past life and her new one. Told in Spanish, “Emilia Perez” is set in Mexico but shot in France. The transgender musical alternates between choreographed dance numbers and q.
