This divisive awards-season favourite tells the story of a powerful Mexican drugs boss (Karla Sofia Gascon) who fakes death, transitions and works back into the lives of her family by posing as a long-lost aunt, and a young female lawyer (Zoe Saldana) hired to see through the whole process. The film's biggest challenge to the viewer is fusing big dramatic themes (Mexican stereotyping, transitioning, 'the disappeared', family) with the musical format, which is successful to a large extent. While much of the attention has focused on Karla Sofia Gascon, who gives a solid performance here, it is Zoe Saldana who excels right from her difficult opening number, with good back-up from Selena Gomez as the younger wife. As a musical film, it is very contemporary in style, with effectively-integrated sung moments rather than big Broadway-style blockbuster numbers. The film sometimes awkwardly lurches between heavy genuine emotion and pure telenovela melodrama at the drop of a hat, especially in the contrived finale. The film might have benefitted from establishing more of the pre-transition character at the start - this is not a film that delves into the physical and emotional journey, with the actual transitioning being disregarded with an almighty ellipsis - but the arcs of its three lead female characters makes for an unusual if full-on drama to watch.
No comments:
Post a Comment