We meet Rafael, a young Cuban immigrant in New York, who trains at a boxing gym. He is in search of Isabel, his sister, who is apparently an escort. Through flashbacks we learn that Isabel was responsible for raising Rafael back home in Cuba, and he believes that she was taken to the states and sold as a prostitute against her will. Even as a kid, since Rafael was different, she would always encourage him to be strong for himself. While searching, he ends up finding Isabel's best friend from back home and he brings her with him. Through her he gets the information about what really happened to her and Isabel. While Rafael is looking for his sister, it also turns out hat he is on a self discovery journey too. He is a transgender woman and with the help of his close friend who is also a trans person, Rafael – who later takes the name Lupe – begins to embrace a future where she is able to fully be herself.
Even though the main narrative theme in Lupe involves finding the strength to move forward and self-discovery, a lot of time is also spent on Isabel's search. Had that been reduced a little and just kept as metaphor and we were shown more of Rafael (Lupe's) struggle and journey of coming to terms of their identity as a transgender woman, the film would have been a lot better. It was very very interesting that the film also addresses on how Rafael’s truth collides with having a masculine physical appearance, and how even though it has taken years of hard work, he wants to get rid of muscles just so that he could be accepted and be able to find love. Actor playing Rafael/Lupe easily standouts with their brilliant performance. In one moment, they are either training or punching pimps in search for their sister; the next, they’re putting make-up, trying new dresses. It’s a harsh and cruel world that gets depicted in Lupe but, as mentioned above, has a beautiful and empowering pay-off. And since they show such a charismatic performance, we can’t help but root for their journey to its natural conclusion. Raffle's scenes with his transgendered friend seem so natural and real, one wonders if that was all improvised. Either way they fit really well in the narrative.
The message of the film is clear to be true to your self. The journey may not be easy, but you have to do that for yourself. At just about 75 minutes, the duration is right. How I wish there was a little more to the film to take it to the next level. (6.5/10)
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