Mi Querida Señorita (2025)
This movie reminds me much like the new biopic Michael, in that Elizabeth Martinez (the protagonist), like Jaafar Jackson, seems made for this role and this role only. It is difficult to imagine her doing any other work that doesn't build on this role of an intersex (or trans) person.
Which is not to say that this is a bad film. It's quite good, actually, although frankly, it does not break new ground. Notwithstanding that it is based on the 1972 film of the same name (which I have not seen but which I am certain was more of a shock to the sensibilities of the viewers at the time than this one is), it is replete with the expected supporting cast of "outsiders" (a somewhat-girlfriend with a bubbly personality and no filter, a sexually fluid raconteur, his possible girlfriend who has foul mouth and a baby, and a priest who entered the priesthood because his lover died of AIDS).
Of all the characters, the priest is actually the most interesting to me, because it is refreshing to see a Christian portrayed as something other than an abuser. The cast, as a whole, play their roles with great skill (especially the mother) but it does show that Elizabeth Martinez is new to acting, as her emotions often seem somewhat forced. However, to be fair, the complexity of playing such a role would be a daunting task even for the most experienced of actors.
I hate to be critical of the movie inasmuch as I usually wish Americans would watch more Spanish cinema, which truthfully is some of the best there is, but unfortunately, this movie drags in places, seems overly melodramatic in others, and suffers from what consider to be a "cultural snobbishness" in that, being set primarily around the year 2000, it seems to be saying, "Look how much more culturally enlightened we are now."
Maybe we are, or maybe we just feel we are. Regardless, if the movie brings that idea across, then it has diminished its primary point of showing how a person can come to full acceptance of themselves.
Now, a movie about that priest and how he came to be a priest, THAT sounds like a story arc worth telling.
