Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Transmitzvah is about Mumy Singer (Penélope Guerrero), a pop star who grew up as Rubén Singman (Milo Burgess-Webb), a biological boy who often dressed in women’s clothing to entertain the family. When Rubén, who always identified as a girl, was a teenager, she asked to be called Mumy. This wasn’t a problem until Mumy’s bar mitzvah approached, and she refused to attend because her father, Arón (Alejandro Awada), insisted that she wear a men’s suite and be called Rubén. And because of this, the bar mitzvah never happened.
Years later, as an adult, Mumy is a pop sensation. Embracing her Jewish heritage and her transgender identity, she often sings in Yiddish. When she goes back home to Argentina to perform, her father becomes sick. She visits him at the hospital, and not long after that, he passes away. And with Arón’s death, Mumy loses her voice.
To heal herself and sing again, Mumy must perform the Jewish passage of adulthood she was denied as a teenager and become whole. She quickly enlists her brother, Eduardo (Juan Minujín), to help make it happen.
Some Thoughts:
Transmitzvah is a wonderful piece of cinema about culture, identity, and family. The acting, story, and pacing are all on point, with never a dull moment. The film also has a sweet mix of humor and drama.
The stage is set early, with all principal characters being introduced. This gives a sense of Mumy’s life growing up, and it works. However, there are two characters, Susy (Laura Insúa) and Mirna (Karina Bazán), who are introduced and then practically forgotten. Normally this wouldn’t bother me, but they’re given a lot of detail, which makes it feel as if they’ll be central to the plot.
Because Mumy was with her dancers and boyfriend when her father passed, they’re all still hanging around in the background. They’re used primarily to lighten the story while making it feel a bit fantastical. Luckily these scenes are used sparingly and actually enhance the story by giving us some insight into Mumy’s life.
The film is steeped in religion with a bit of mysticism, but you don’t have to be Jewish to understand it. These elements are intertwined in the story so well that it never slows things down to explain what’s going on. It also shows how Mumy’s religious beliefs are a part of who she is, which is why fixing one element of her past is so important.
The Final Verdict:
Transmitzvah is a delightful film that stays grounded despite some fantastical elements.