Director: Sebastien Lelio
By Alex Watson
Deservedly awarded the Best Foreign Language Oscar, Chilean director Sebastian Lelio's A Fantastic Woman is both riveting and highly emotional viewing. An outstanding turn by Daniela Vega is what fuels this often devastating picture. The notion of a person's identity is the key theme here and throughout this character is treated with hostility and suspicion. Lelio's picture is also a compelling look at grief and how our worlds implode when we lose those we love.
Marina (Daniela Vega) is a woman who has found love with an older gentleman Orlando (Francisco Reyes). However, when he suddenly dies on her birthday, Marina finds herself thrust into the spotlight of his estranged family and treated as a suspect by the police. While she tries to soldier on, there is a new obstacle at every turn which will drive her to breaking point.
A Fantastic Woman has an almost idyllic start as we see Marina passionately singing in a nightclub and then celebrating and dancing with her lover. Quickly the rug is pulled out when he suddenly collapses and has to be taken to the hospital. Immediately, Marina is treated like a criminal from the police due to being a transwoman and they automatically assume she involved in prostitution. Orlando also fell down the stairs previously which also makes them believe it was an abusive relationship. She is immediately stripped of her identity and treated as a monster. One scene sees her forced to undergo a physical examination, Marina overhears the hushed whispers of a sexual abuse officer and her colleague who refers to her as a man. Our hearts truly go out to this brave woman who is left in strange and horrific new world with no-one to save her.
Orlando's family is little better to her either because she receives the whole spectrum of emotional treatment. Gabo (Luis Gnecco), Orlando's brother treats her with surprising kindness but his courtesy only extends so far. His ex-wife Sonia (Aline Kuppenheim) treats her with a confused and angry manner asking how she can possibly explain their relationship to others? There is a frightening scene where Marina is abducted and mistreated by Orlando's narrow-minded and brutal sons. Ostracised from the funeral and treated as a bad memory the family wants to forget, everything looks increasingly bleak. The sheer spirit and her refusal to be ignored are what makes Marina such an unforgettable character. Viewed as a perversion by others, her desire to reclaim her identity and self-worth make for devastating yet uplifting viewing.
Another aspect of A Fantastic Woman that haunts Marina is the ghost of Orlando. Catching glimpses of her former lover is at first painful, then we realize he might be there for another reason. Unwilling to let the past slide away, Marina becomes more resourceful in the movie's final act. Although, it comes at an uneasy price as she is forced to dress like a man at one stage. This moment is both brilliant storytelling but also a very sad reality of how her identity will always be viewed no matter how hard she tries. Lelio emerges from this as yet another hot Chilean prospect and his upcoming story of forbidden love 'Disobedience' looks mesmerising right now. This effort is one that not only puts him on the map, but its one of the strongest pieces of cinema South America has to offer.
Daniela Vega is simply outstanding in a tough role as Marina. Unfortunately left off the Best Actress list come Oscar time, this is a performance of sheer bravado. Playing a beaten woman who refuses to play the victim, Vega is heart stealing throughout. Demonstrating a screen presence which is unrivalled, Lelio has found a fantastic new talent.
A Fantastic Woman is a movie that will remind us of some painful memories of loss, the treatment of Marina will also be equally tough to watch.
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