A Fantastic Woman

1/10/2023

A very genuine and honest feeling film, It felt very natural even if uncomfortable in places. A slender plot but that wasn’t the point. The point was human interest, the characterisation and the vulnerability, strength and resilience of Marina in what was a very emotional story for her. Simply and convincingly delivered by the captivating performances of Reyes and particularly Daniela Vega who took this film to a higher plane. Lelio’s direction is beautiful, tenderly and sensitively executed. 8/10

3/2/2025

Without being in the least graphic nor particularly violent, this is still quite a harrowing watch. It’s all centred on the story of “Marina” (Daniela Vega). She’s a trans nightclub performer who just happens to be in a loving relationship with the older, and wealthier, “Orlando” (Francisco Reyes). They have a night of rough and tumble after celebrating her birthday but it turns out that his ticker isn’t so great and she ends up having to rush him to the hospital. Once there, the expected tragedy strikes them but believe it or not, that is just the start of her problems as the police begin to probe and question her explanation of events whilst his family take a view that she can just go to hell. Gradually, as she becomes more and more exposed to the thoughtless cruelty and loneliness - not