Emilia Pérez is a musical that has sparked debate due to its themes and execution, particularly in Mexico, where its release has been surrounded by controversy. I watched it with an open mind, aware of its narrative, focus, and genre. However, I came away with mixed feelings, which I will break down into three key points: stereotypes, performances, and the script along with the songs.
1. Stereotypes:
It's impossible to discuss this movie without addressing its cultural treatment. From the very beginning, it feels more like a collection of clichés about Mexico than a genuine exploration of its culture. As a Mexican, I'm not offended by stereotypes per se, but here, there seems to be no interest in delving deeper. It feels like a brainstorm of references-sombreros, skulls, and tequila-without adding anything meaningful to the narrative. This lack of authenticity turns the setting into a caricature. The production could have set the story in any other country, swapped these clichés for others, and it wouldn't have made much difference to the plot.
2. Performances:
It's interesting that the performances have been nominated for multiple awards. However, as a Spanish speaker, the accent and diction were constant distractions. The actresses seem to be trying hard, but the result fails to convey genuine emotions or connect with the audience. A crucial part of acting is mastering dialogue delivery, intonation, and how these elements evoke empathy or rejection toward the characters. This doesn't happen here. No character made me feel their story-I didn't suffer with them or celebrate their victories.
3. Script and songs:
The script, unfortunately, is one of the film's weakest points. The dialogues feel as though they were mechanically translated into Spanish, riddled with errors in conjugation and awkward phrases. This extends to the songs, which fail to work as either music or narrative tools. In a good musical, the songs should integrate organically and move the story forward, but here, they feel forced, as if they were shoehorned into a pre-existing structure without concern for rhythm or coherence.
4. The theme:
The film touches on a sensitive nerve for Mexicans. It's complicated to humanize drug cartels in a country that suffers the direct consequences of violence, disappearances, and daily fear. The idea of portraying a drug lord as someone deserving of redemption, who wishes to transition to stay true to their identity and even becomes a benefactor of social causes, can feel insulting. For a foreign audience, it might be an interesting narrative, but for those living in the reality of drug-related violence, this idealization borders on indifference toward collective suffering.
In conclusion, Emilia Pérez has some interesting technical elements and isolated moments worth noting, but as a whole, it's not an enjoyable film. The lack of authenticity in its cultural representation, performances that fail to connect, and a weak script weigh it down too much. That said, cinema is subjective, and if this movie finds its audience, good for it. But for me, rather than being a captivating musical, it was a frustrating experience.
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