Bonus Review: Emilia Perez

Passion Has A New Name

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INTRODUCTION

This is a quick review of the newly released film Emilia Perez. Keep in mind this is but one of the many movies I watch every year, and that whatever initial grade I come up for this film could change for better or worse with time. To better keep up to date with both my thoughts on other movies and if my feelings on this film changed, follow me on Letterboxd.

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THE PLOT

Via Google: A Mexican lawyer is offered an unusual job to help a notorious cartel boss retire and transition into living as a woman, fulfilling a long-held desire.

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QUICK REVIEW

It’s been weeks since I first watched Emilia Perez, and I still find myself wrestling with mixed feelings about a film I genuinely enjoyed, despite certain aspects that gave me pause.

When I first watched it, the political climate felt less fraught, with election results and the inevitable challenges facing the trans community still on the horizon. Now, in light of recent events, I wonder how a film that aims to touch on the trans experience resonates in today’s context - particularly one that has sparked critique from both trans and nonbinary voices.

Undeniably, Emilia Perez is a film deeply rooted in its Spanish culture (even though it was France’s submission to the Oscars), and its screenplay evokes the drama and intensity of a telenovela.