Very explicit, creative and cunning the film Ema takes you into a world where nothing is impossible when it comes to love, seduction, and a woman’s desires. Nicely directed by Pablo Larrain, who was also part of the writing staff, the film gets intense early on and never lets it go until the very gasp provoking finale. It’s a modern twist on freedom of consensual sensuality.
Free spirts Ema (Mariana Di Girolamo) and Gaston (Gael Garcia Bernal) are in a quandary over their adopted son Polo (Christian Suarez). After a year of acclimating to the 12 year-old, Polo has committed a terrible act putting Ema’s sister in the hospital. It leads to dissolving the adoption and returning Polo to Child Protective Services in fear that he may have done the deed on purpose.
After some time, Ema gets second thoughts about Polo and wants him back. But Child Protective Services will not allow it and has already placed the boy with another couple. When she won’t accept the refusal, Ema goes off on a tangent burying herself in modern dance and a whirlwind of multi-partner seductions.
Director Pablo Larrain puts it all on the screen leaving nothing to the imagination. He also holds his audience captive with a very imaginative spectacle of dance and rebellion while his main character Ema goes off on her escapade. With some excellent cinematography he draws viewers close up as Ana crosses the bi-sexual barrier in a different kind of mind-bending romance.
An excellent acting performance by Mariana Di Girolamo as the conflicted and conniving Ema, makes the film work. Here character may be puzzling at first, but stick with it as everything comes to light as the story plays out. Her charisma while on the screen reminds me of Kristin Stewart, but Di Girolamo has a bit more daring.
Special Features:
“Collectors Booklet” includes interview with Director Pablo Larrain
“Select Scene Audio Commentary” with choreographer Jose Vidal
“Real” a music video
“Photo Gallery”
“Green and Red Band Theatrical Trailers”
Ema has been rated R by the MPAA for strong sexual content, nudity and language. The sex gets over the top so be cautioned if you are considering taking a youngster. The film is presented in Spanish with English subtitles. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Mariana Di Girolamo, Gael Garcia Bernal, Paola Giannini, Santiago Cabrera, Christian Suarez
Directed and co-written by: Pablo Larrain
Genre: Drama, Romance
MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language
Running Time: 1hr, 45 min.
Video Release Date: January 11, 2022
Language: Spanish with English Subtitlels
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Audio: Dolby Atmos
Video: widescreen ratio 2.39:1
Subtitles: English
Distributed by: Music Box Films
Released on: Blu-ray, DVD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
