Review of A Fantastic Woman (2017) by Christopher R — 16 Mar 2018
UNA MUJER FANTASTICA (A FANTASTIC WOMAN) is Chilean film directed by Sebastian Lelio and the winner of the Best Foreign Film at the 2018 Academy Awards. Marina (Daniela Vega) is a transgender woman who faces transphobia and discrimination after the death of her lover Orlando (Francisco Reyes).
The story follows Marina during the days after her tragedy as she struggles to process grief, anger and finally acceptance. Orlando's family provide no support as they prevent her from attending his funeral and kicking her out of his apartment.
Orlando's family view her as a perversion rather than the person that Orlando was in love with. The narrative arc is how Marina's resilience ultimately helps her reclaim her own self-respect. This idea is reinforced in a scene involving Orlando's brother, Gabo (Luis Gneccio), who finally defends her gender identity.
Marina's journey is reinforced by an earlier scene in the film of her performing a campy song in a nightclub. At the end of the film we see her singing again, this time in a more formal concert hall setting.
The story also touches on the difficulty that Marina (and many people within the transgender community) who face transphobia on a daily basis in their lives and finding love within oneself and with a significant other.
Thankfully, UNA MUJER FANTASTICA does offer a happy ending of sorts.
This review of A Fantastic Woman (2017) was written by Christopher R on 16 Mar 2018.
A Fantastic Woman has generally received positive reviews.
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