A Fantastic Woman [Una Mujer Fantástica] **** (2017, Daniela Vega, Francisco Reyes, Luis Gnecco) – Movie Review 

Sebastián Lelio’s ground-breaking transgender drama and world cinema masterwork A Fantastic Woman (2017) triumphed at the Oscars by winning Best Foreign Language Film of the Year for Chile. It stars Chilean actress, lyrical singer and trans woman Daniela Vega, who gives a Fantastic performance as Marina, a waitress and nightclub singer, whose much older boyfriend suddenly dies of an aneurism.

Marina is bowled over by his death but is devastated by her treatment at the hands of his nasty, prejudiced and greedy family, who refuse to allow her at the funeral and demand she give up his apartment, dog and possessions immediately. When she persists in demanding her basic rights and respectful due, they end up assaulting her. She is then treated appallingly as a criminal by the authorities, trying to destroy her remaining confidence and dignity and take away her rights.

Has Marina got enough left in her to fight back? Will she survive?

Co-writer/ director Sebastián Lelio’s film and Daniela Vega’s performance are devastating heart-breakers. The memorable movie is a thrilling and exhilarating emotional ride. Lelio and Gonzalo Maza co-write the screenplay.

A Fantastic Woman is nominated as Foreign Language Film of the Year at the London Critics Circle Film Awards 2019.

Born in 1974, Sebastián Lelio is one of the leading figures of Chilean cinema.

Lelio’s last film was the glorious Gloria, with which it shares some common ground. A Fantastic Woman is a worthy successor to Gloria. Born in 1974, Sebastián Lelio is one of the leading figures of Chilean cinema.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Movie Review 

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com

Daniela Vega [Hernández] is a Chilean actress, lyrical singer and trans woman.