No way were we expecting the twists in this gripping Mexican Cartel crime drama/musical told through searing performances by Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez, and Karla Sofía Gascón in a dual role. Lately, we’ve entered an era of new musicals seen on screen in films (including Joker: Folie à Deux, and Memoir of a Snail. Although this is a French production, it is presented in Spanish which we saw with English subtitles at The 60th Chicago International Film Festival.
Writer Director Jacques Audiard collaborated with Thomas Bidegain and Nicolas Livecchi, Léa Mysius adapting Boris Razon’s novel to tell the story of a Mexican drug cartel chief willing to pay a fortune for the services of smart lawyer, Rita Moro Castro (Saldana). Known to all as Manitas, he wants Rita to find the best doctor to do what she’s always longed for, to become a woman. You will not believe the transformation.
Moro Castro was going nowhere in her career. She’s disheartened by getting her clients acquitted for crimes she knows they committed, including domestic violence and murder. She jumps at Manitas’ life changing offer of a massive fee to help the super rich Cartel chief live her dream as a woman.
Saldana travels the world in a musical search for the right doctor. Wait till you see Zoe Saldana further the story in a big production number. Wearing a striking red velvet pantsuit, she sings and dances, bouncing from table top to table top, using those sitting at the banquet tables for props. Her talents never cease to amaze.
Karla Sofia Gascón actually became transgender in 2018 and plays both sides of her evolution as cartel boss Manitas. In the beginning of the film, you see her as the merciless, murderous drug cartel overlord with make up intended to show him originally appear as a hairy, ominous-looking man with a raspy voice. After all of the procedures, she emerges as Emilia, a very sophisticated, beautiful business woman.
While still Manitas, he arranges for his wife, Jessi (Selena Gomez) and their two sons to relocate in Europe for their safety, out of the way as he takes on his new feminine persona. Jessi is made to believe that her husband is dead. She adjusts but misses him terribly. This role gives Selena the opportunity to show off even more of her acting chops, along with her musical talents.
Years pass and Manitas, now Emilia Peréz, yearns to get her children back in her life, again using lawyer and personal assistant, Moro Castro, to come up with a way to fulfill her wish. This is where the the story takes another wild turn and, even though it sounds dangerous for everybody involved and a bit outlandish, you buy into it, wanting to see how Audiard handles this perilous arc.
Audiard’s direction is both brutal and gentle. He does not back away from the violence and gore of Manitas’ drug cartel business, but, at the same time, allows Karla Sofia Gascon as Emilia Peréz to exhibit her feminine qualities and tenderness. Is Audiard making a statement about women’s empathy, or perhaps as an antidote to testosterone fueled male violence?
This film is reminiscent of some of the director’s previous dark thrillers. The third act takes an ultra violent turn but don’t let the noir aspect deter you from taking Audiard’s dramatic musical journey. Well-directed and produced, this captivating cast and truly unique plot will keep you riveted to see what happens next.
Netflix 2 hours 112 minutes R
In theaters now. Streaming on Netflix November 13th
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