You can't expect what Jacques Audiard offers. Audiard is a filmmaker whom always surprises me with his works as he makes stories that are interesting and very different to other movies I have seen. An concept of a musical about Mexico, drug dealers, gender identity, and corruption is very strange, and it's kind of messy, yet with Audiard's direction and approach, it still worked.
Audiard's direction, writing, and atmosphere approaches are well thought-out. The writing explores the characters journeys and it's inventive style really adds a lot to the setting. Many of the characters, while they certainly aren't all likable people, at the same time, you still are engaged to observe these characters and observing what they are and their purposes.
With good camerawork, production, and musical score, all of the performances are great, particularly Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón as both provided outstanding performances. As a musical, the song-writing is pretty good as there are some really memorable songs that are still burned into my head. Although some of the singing and songs didn't fully work, as a piece, it offered. I do appreciate the film using the themes of transgender identity and depth blended with the musical moments pretty well!
The writing is good, but I have to admit, I wasn't sold with every aspect as I found certain aspects to feel messy and a bit too melodramatic.
Overall, this isn't my favorite from Jacques Audiard but one thing is for sure, this is something unique and memorable.