Sadrac González-Perellón’s Amazing Elisa is a difficult film to pin down. On one hand, it’s the story of an exasperated father who fears for his delusional daughter who thinks she has superpowers because she can bend medium-sized spoons with her bare hands and do equations really fast. On the other, it’s a psychosexual romp through the mind of a woman confined to a wheelchair, and her husband’s guilt over how she got there. Also tucked into the mix is a bit about a woman and her dog who stabs and presumably kills creepy guys who get a bit too handsy.
These three seemingly disparate storylines do eventually come together (sort of), but the resolution never quite makes up for their lack of cohesion getting there. However, when the fates do finally bring (most of) the players onto the same stage, the results are surprisingly intense. This energy, added to the spectacular acting and measured direction from González-Perellón, makes Amazing Elisa well worth a look for anyone inclined toward the odd and eccentric.
Originally published by ASHEVILLE MOVIES.
James is a writer, record collector, wrestling nerd, and tabletop gamer living with his family in Asheville, North Carolina. He is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the North Carolina Film Critics Association, and contributes to The Daily Orca, Razorcake Magazine, Mountain Xpress, and Asheville Movies.