The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Emilia Perez

Emilia Perez is a musical crime drama starring Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofia Gascón. The film is directed by French director Jacques Audiard and follows Rita (Saldana) who is an overlooked lawyer living in Mexico, until she is hired by cartel leader Manitas (Gascón) who wants to fake his death and become the person he has always wanted to become. The film became popular within the media when the film was nominated for 11 Oscars, the most nominations a film has ever had, but on the night the film only came home with two. Zoe Saldana won best supporting actress for her role as Rita, and the song ‘El Mal’ won best song. The film has been slated amongst the general audience, with the film receiving 16% on the popcorn meter and having a 5.1/10 on IMDb. On the other hand, critics seem to be on the opposite side of the spectrum with them loving it, with it having 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and the fact it has been nominated for 11 Oscars. However, the film has also gained controversy amongst its cast and crew as Karla Sofia Gascón has been cancelled for some past tweets, and Audiard has been attacked by fans for how he represented Mexico in his film. So is the film actually good?  

Some aspects of Emilia Perez are actually good and are really enjoyable. The storyline is a masterful blend of drama and crime, capturing the audience's attention with its compelling and interesting narrative into the life of Mexican crime. The plot includes themes of love, betrayal, and redemption, making each twist surprising. The characters of Rita and Emilia are well-developed, with their motivations and backstories adding depth to the overall narrative, ensuring that viewers are invested in their journeys from start to finish. Another thing I enjoyed about the film is the cinematography and the lighting. The use of cinematography enhances the gripping tale, using dynamic camera angles and fluid movements to create a visually engaging experience. Each shot draws the viewer's eye to the most important elements of the scene, whether it's a character's subtle expression or a crucial plot detail. The lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood, with strategic use of shadows and highlights to emphasize the emotional depth of each scene. Dark, moody lighting is used to convey tension and suspense, while brighter, softer lighting highlights moments of hope and tenderness. In the scene where Rita starts singing ‘El Mal’ the use of cinematography and lighting is used in a unique and fascinating way. In the scene, Rita is singing in her head, pointing out all the bad people in the room. The cinematography is fast paced with lots of movement indicating that her head is all over the place and that she can’t think straight. The use of lighting is also very interesting as it casts a spotlight on Rita, making her the main person in the room. The light makes Rita stand out, whereas the people on the table are barely visible, the only thing visible is the harsh shadows on their faces caused by the bright spotlight. Overall, the film has an intriguing plot and an interesting use of cinematography and lighting, but other than that, the film is quite mediocre and somewhat cringey. 

The music in Emilia Pérez is undeniably polarizing, with its unconventional choices often overshadowing the narrative itself. While the film attempts to blend a variety of genres including drama, music and crime, the soundtrack can feel disjointed, leaving some scenes feeling disconnected or even jarring. The heavy reliance on music may have been intended to evoke a sense of modernity or emotional tension, but for many viewers, it falls short in enhancing the story. Instead of complementing the film's tone, the music frequently competes with it, making it difficult for the audience to fully immerse themselves within the story as they are cringing over the poorly written and performed songs.  Though there are moments where the soundtrack aligns well with the visual experience, the overall impact of the music often feels forced, detracting from the emotional depth the film might have achieved otherwise. One example in the film which shows the questionable music in the film is near the start of the film when Rita goes to a sex change clinic, her and the doctor start singing about the operations needed for a sex change. The topic of the song makes it so hard to watch, to the point where it’s laughable it's that bad. To make things worse, the actual singing and music is very off beat, making it even less enjoyable for audiences.  Ultimately, the music in Emilia Pérez could have been more thoughtfully integrated, or maybe even removed from the film as a whole, which might have offered a clearer connection to the story's themes and characters rather than distracting from them. 

The onscreen aspects of the film are a mix of good and bad, but there is a lot of controversy between the cast, the crew and the audience which has emerged within the awards season. Karla Sofia Gascón who portrayed Emilia Perez within the film has been cancelled online for past tweets that she posted between 2016 and 2021, including one where she called her fellow cast member Selena Gomez a rat. The more controversy tweets on her account though took aim at Muslims’ dress, language and culture in her native Spain. She also suggested that Islam be banned. And less than a month after George Floyd was killed by a white police officer in 2020, Gascón offered her assessment of Floyd as a drug addict who “very few people ever cared” for. Gascón was the first transgender woman to be nominated for best actress award at the Oscars, where she attended as a guest not a nominee due to her recent backlash. She has come out and apologised for her past actions, stating she ‘promises not to make the same mistake’. The director of the film, Jacques Audiard, has also sparked controversy due to his lack of representation in the film. Critics argue that some of the actors were miscast, leading to a lack of authenticity in their performances. For example, Selena Gomez’ Spanish in the film isn’t the greatest due to her not being 100% fluent, but the director still expected it to be perfect. There’s also been discussion about the portrayal of the many Mexican characters in the film, particularly with how their backgrounds and experiences are represented on screen. This has sparked accusations of cultural insensitivity towards Mexicans, with some viewers feeling that the film is trying to tap into a marginalised experience without fully understanding it. 

In conclusion, Emilia Pérez is a film that strikes a delicate balance between captivating storytelling and controversial execution. While its gripping crime drama narrative, strong character development, and impressive cinematography are notable, the film falls short in several areas. The music, though ambitious, often detracts from the emotional depth of the story, and the controversies surrounding the cast and crew only add fuel to the fire. The polarizing reactions from both critics and audiences reflect the film’s inability to fully connect with its viewers, as it struggles to maintain a consistent tone amidst its musical and cultural missteps. Despite its Oscar nominations and the strong performances from the cast, Emilia Pérez ultimately feels like a film that tries to do too much but doesn't quite hit the mark in several key aspects. Whether it's worth watching depends on one’s ability to look past its flaws and appreciate the moments of brilliance that do emerge throughout the film.