182. Emilia Pérez: The Debate!

“Ready to go ten rounds?” Nancy asked Sarah, when Sarah asked her to watch Emilia Pérez, a Spanish-language musical for which there is no shortage of agitation on both the right and the left. Trans activists hate it, Ben Shapiro called it one of the worst movies of all time, Mexican film goers are apparently asking for their money back. And yet, the movie got a whopping 13 Oscar nominations. What gives?

Nancy reluctantly watched Emilia Pérez, and — was completely surprised. Her reaction was, in fact, very similar to Sarah’s. (That’s why Sarah wanted her to see it.) Is this wild, unconventional movie a triumph, a “glittering disaster,” a “trans Mrs. Doubtfire”? The answer is all of the above.

Also discussed:

• “Happy Monday!”

• Nancy fat-shames the poor widdle groundhog

• New coinage: “Western Time”

• Sarah’s pre-flight soul inventory is arduous

• “The denial of death shapes most people’s lives.”

• “House of Strauss” has the best theme music (and, ahem, the best guests)

• General Hospital, remembered

• We hate lecture films

• Why Emilia Perez makes sense as an opera

• Selena Gomez is like watching fourteen cupcakes shimmy around in a dress

• Johanne Sacreblue!

• The Pope version of Survivor

• Kieran Culkan is a bad-ass

Plus, Nancy writes a nice essay, Sarah is up for an award, what the hell is Groundhog’s Day, and much more!

First Sunday Zoom hang this Sunday, Feb. 2! A group watch of the Bill Murray comedy Groundhog Day, whose title is taken from a bit of Americana Nancy has promised to research and explain. (We promise there will be more than that.) 8pmET, 5pmWT. Paid subscribers get link day-of.