TIFF 2024 Review: Emilia Pérez

A notorious drug kingpin wants to go through a sex change operation and start a new life as a woman.

Tired of keeping guilty affluent clients from being convicted, Rita Moro finds herself abducted and offered a job by the ruthless narcotics dealer Manitas Del Monte; he has gone through a botched sex change operation and Rita has to find a suitable replacement doctor replacement quickly, otherwise, her life will be forfeited; she does and the death of her patron is staged.  Trouble arises when Del Monte reemerges as Emilia Pérez and wants to reclaim his children with Moro being the only one who knows his true identity.

Who knew that Zoe Saldaña could admirably sing and dance but she can. The roughness of Karla Sofía Gascón’s voice adds authenticity to the performance.   Normally musical numbers go for long takes but quick cuts are favoured which creates more of a music video vibe that epitomizes the mental mindset of the main characters.  The doctor makes a key observation that he can change the physical appearance but it is up to the person to alter their mindset and if not despite the surgery they remain the same; that theme drives narrative conflict as Emilia Pérez is unable to sever past bonds and attitudes.

Something about the ending feels off but thematically it resonates as the past and present day come crashing against each other.  The acting of Selana Gomez is not that compelling except for the bed musical number. In truth, the dramatic weight rests on the shoulders of Zoe Saldaña as she is the moral centre while Karla Sofía Gascón has more freedom to let loose, thereby making the role of Saldaña harder.  As for the story, it lacks the heart and empathy of Dallas Buyers Club as brutality reigns supreme in the world depicted by filmmaker Jacques Audiard.

The 49th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 5-15, 2024, and for more information visit tiff.net.    

Trevor Hogg is a freelance video editor and writer who currently resides in Canada; he can be found at LinkedIn.