Emilia Perez (#652)


This week turned international  for me. I went from seeing a Norwegian film to viewing one from Mexico. I changed my mind at the last minute and went to see EMILIA PEREZ instead of Captain America because there was a lot of publicity about Emilia recently, having won a host of awards already and with a near record 13 Oscar nominations. I thought the movie was interesting, unique and just plain weird. This one is about a big time Mexican criminal who undergoes a sex change operation with the help of a small time lawyer to satisfy a longtime desire and also to hide from those pursuing him. I think I am getting used to these weird plots but this one had more appeal because it was a musical with a lot of singing and dancing that reminded me of a Broadway show. The total production was successful and entertaining, in its own way, in terms of acting, direction and unusual cinematographic effects. But I wasn't that impressed. I long for the days of movies like Casablanca and Indiscrete, North by Northwest and Charade. Like Gunga Din, My Fair Lady and Friendly Persuasion. But I'm afraid filmmakers like those who made them just disappeared. This 2 hour and 12 minute film got a thumbs up by 72% of critics and 16% of audiences. Does this mean that audiences are as fed up with the weird as I? 

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