Why Is This Film Nominated For So Many Awards? | My Thoughts On Emilia Pérez
Netflix
This past fall, I planned to attend some screenings at the New York Film Festival. I wanted to see some of the actors and directors of the films selected for the 2024 slate, but alas, for the third year in a row, I could not get tickets to any of those special showings.
Among the movies I wanted to see were The Room Next Door (2024), Rumors (2024), and maybe Emilia Pérez (2024). I don’t like musicals, so I was unsure if I even wanted to try to get tickets to any showing of Emilia Pérez.
When people were up in arms about Zoe Saldaña winning Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture and Emilia Pérez winning Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy at the 2025 Golden Globes, I knew I had to watch this film despite not being the biggest fan of musicals (I tend to avoid them. I haven’t even seen Wicked).
I didn’t hate the movie, but how was this the most nominated film at the 2025 Oscars?
ABOUT Emilia Pérez
Netflix
In modern-day Mexico, overqualified and exploited lawyer Rita is wasting her talents working for a large firm which is far better at whitewashing criminal garbage than at serving justice. But an unexpected way out appears, the sort of offer that cannot be refused: to help feared cartel boss Juan "Little Hands" Del Monte--aka Manitas--retire from his business and disappear forever. Manitas has a plan he's been fine-tuning in secret for years: to become, at last, the woman he's always dreamed of becoming. - Summary from IMDB
it just lacks depth
Netflix
After reading more about the director of this film, my feelings about its lack of depth were validated. Many say it feels like AI wrote it, and I agree with that because, at many points, it is a soulless movie. It thinks it’s sophisticated and addresses these critical issues with care and empathy, but… it’s just not doing that. This is sad because they had an opportunity to do something amazing with a Netflix budget and great actors.
If the director/writer had just researched the subject matter and talked to people who experienced these things, this film could have been very emotional and moving. Instead, it was just shallow with odd needle drops.
We gotta talk about the songs
Netflix
As I stated earlier, I am not a fan of musicals. I do not hate them; I prefer not to watch them. So, my main concern going into this movie was whether the musical numbers would be bad. They are not bad, just odd. The needle drops come out of nowhere, and as a Glee kid, I was shocked at how awkwardly intertwined with the script most of them were. Some of the lyrics were a big Yikes for me too.
Yes, I am talking about la vaginoplastia.
Things I Did Like
Netflix
I gave this film three stars on Letterboxd, so yes, there were some things I liked about the movie.
First off sighs, I did enjoy Karla Sofía Gascón’s performance. She was good, and until about five days ago, I had her winning for Best Actress….. God, that aged like milk.
Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez were good, too.
El Mal is an earworm, and I predict it will win Best Original Song. I liked this musical number's lighting, costuming, camerawork, and choreography. It is a shame that the Academy cut the performances of the nominees for Original Song because this could have been cool.
final thoughts
Netflix
The film is fine; I gave it three stars on Letterboxd.
It isn’t terrible, I can watch almost any film and find something positive to say about it, but 13 Oscars nominations for this? We gotta be serious.
Everything this movie is going through right now is quite sad. The drama diminishes the work of the people behind the scenes. No matter what you think about the movie, their hard work will be forever overlooked by the drama surrounding it.
I wonder how much my Netflix subscription will increase later this year. We all know they will lose a lot of money on this film if it doesn’t win a single Oscar, because let’s be honest as of right now they will walk away from the show with nothing.
Follow me on Letterboxd.
Hi! I’m Andrea, the creator of Cinematic Excursions.
I am a video editor, photographer, travel and events vlogger, and blogger who likes to write movie analyses and yap about fandom. I also have a useless film degree.
I have been creating videos since 2018. In 2023, I started Cinematic Excursions to share my unfiltered experiences traveling, cruising, going on excursions, and using city cards that are supposed to save money.
I also use my platform to document my experience attending events like New York Comic-Con, MCM Comic-Con London, and the Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival, advising others and covering news from these events.
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