The film Amelia Perez won a Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy, but not everyone is happy about it. Some people think the award was more about political correctness and showing support for certain causes than about the actual quality of the movie. The win sparked a lot of debate, and even the director, Luca Guadagnino, walked out of the ceremony in frustration. Was it because he didn’t agree with the win? Or maybe he just needed a bathroom break? Either way, the film has caused a lot of people to ask, “What were the Golden Globes thinking?”
Trying to Tackle Big Issues in a Shallow Way
Amelia Perez, directed by Luca Guadagnino, tells the story of a Mexican drug kingpin who transitions into a woman and tries to start a new life. The film covers many tough topics like the Mexican drug cartels, illegal immigration, and trans identity. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do a great job of exploring these issues.
The way the film handles these topics feels very surface-level. Instead of diving deep into the subjects, it feels like the director is trying too hard to make a statement, throwing in important issues without properly understanding them. Critics from Mexico, in particular, have pointed out that the film doesn’t show an accurate or respectful portrayal of Mexican culture, the drug trade, or immigration.
A Director Who Doesn’t Understand the Culture
One big problem with the film is that it was directed by Luca Guadagnino, a French filmmaker who admitted that he didn’t feel the need to study Mexican culture. This attitude comes across in the film, making it feel disconnected from the reality of the issues it’s trying to represent. Instead of showing the complexity of Mexico’s drug trade and immigration problems, the movie reduces them to simple shock value. The film feels more like a caricature than a serious attempt to understand real-life problems.
The casting choices also sparked criticism. Many of the actors are not native Spanish speakers, which makes the movie feel less authentic. The director defended this by saying there weren’t enough good Mexican actors available, but this explanation only added to the feeling that the film didn’t take Mexican culture seriously.
A Misunderstanding of Trans Identity
The main character of Amelia Perez is Aelia, a transgender woman who was once a violent drug boss. The film portrays her transition as a “death and rebirth,” as if she is forgiven for all her past crimes simply because she transitioned. This idea doesn’t sit well with many people, especially in the trans community, who feel that transitioning doesn’t erase past actions. The film oversimplifies the idea of gender transition, making it seem like a clean slate, which many people find problematic.
The movie also downplays Aelia’s violent past in favor of focusing on her transition, leaving out the difficult reality that transitioning doesn’t remove someone’s responsibility for their past actions.
The Odd Musical Twist
Another strange choice in the film is the decision to make it a musical. The musical numbers don’t feel right and seem out of place. They are awkward and poorly done, like something from a high school play. The songs and dancing just don’t fit the tone of the rest of the movie and make it hard to take the story seriously.
Aiming at the Wrong Audience
At the end of the day, Amelia Perez seems to care more about impressing Hollywood elites than telling a genuine story. The movie tries to address important social issues but does so in a way that feels more about being “woke” than actually representing the communities it talks about. It’s a movie that cares more about appearances than substance, which is frustrating for many viewers who want to see real, meaningful stories.
FAQs
Q: Why did Amelia Perez win a Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy?
A: Many believe the win was more about making a political statement than about the movie’s quality. The film touches on big social issues, but the execution was criticized for being shallow.
Q: What is Amelia Perez about?
A: It follows a Mexican drug kingpin who transitions into a woman and tries to turn her life around, dealing with issues like the drug trade, immigration, and trans identity along the way.
Q: Why are critics upset with the film?
A: Critics feel that the film misrepresents Mexican culture, oversimplifies the issues it addresses, and doesn’t provide an authentic portrayal of the trans experience.
Q: What’s wrong with how the film shows trans identity?
A: The film suggests that transitioning erases all of the character’s past actions, which many in the trans community find offensive and unrealistic. Transitioning doesn’t remove someone’s responsibility for their past.
Q: Is Amelia Perez really a musical?
A: Yes, but the musical numbers feel forced and out of place. They distract from the story rather than enhancing it.
In the end, Amelia Perez’s Golden Globe win has caused a lot of confusion and frustration. The film’s handling of important issues feels shallow and out of touch, and its portrayal of Mexican culture and trans identity misses the mark. If the Oscars follow the Golden Globe’s lead, they might be setting themselves up for another public relations disaster.