Miss França

The movie has a few things to say. But it also let's you fill in some blanks. It also tries to walk a very fine line - being respectful and trying to give us a very personal journey - and being a bit of a social commentary as well. I would argue it does not succeed always, but it is trying very hard and it does a lot to be inclusive and give you perspectives you may not have.

Of course it can be frustrating to not have certain answers. But that is what the movie is based on. The fact that our main character is does not feel like either gender. He/she even says so during the movie. Born male, but wanting to win a Miss Beauty peagant. Sounds impossible ... right? But is it really? Or should it be? Or are those beauty contest things even relevant today? To those participating they sure are.

And while most of them know why they are there ... we never truly figure out why our main character is there. It's not like the main character has a real answer to give. Well he/she has quite the impressive dialog that deals with sexism - and you may take this as the main reason.

And while the movie has hardships and a lot of things that are wrong with our society, it also seems to have a lot of false or rather convenient hope and good things happening. People applauding and cheering way more than it would be the case in reality. But if you suspend your disbelief and just go with the flow ... like one of the rivals does. And quite frankly also for unknown reasons ... it seems like the biggest hurdle for our main character is ... the self, the inner doubt.

Which again is saying a lot too (and the pressure from outside is very real still, family but everyone else too), but it is interesting to see how "easy" he/she actually has it ... and while that would be an ideal world, it is not the one we live in currently. Maybe in the future any controversy this sparks (or sparked) will be seen as redundant. Things change - male colors have become associated with females for example and all that.

A tough subject and a really tough movie - even with all the "help" that is given. Being inclusive and helping a fellow human is always a good option - and movie magic seems to make some of that happen ... but will it be enough?