SECOND STAR ON THE RIGHT: An Affecting Dive Into Maturity
Emilia is midway through her thirties, uncertain about her future with a group of friends that seem (key word: seem) to have it all together. I feel a certain kinship with her, both in her independent spirit, and the fact that almost everyone I went to school with has kids or are married, and thriving in their careers. These are all supposed mandates of “adulthood” or success, but – much like the film – it’s hardly ever the truth. We all have our own paths to discover, and these various details of a life is not the sum of a person.
Second Star on the Right (Segunda estrella a la derecho) is a beautiful and touching account of femininity, friendship, maturity, and the contemplation of life. It’s not about what you do, or the assessment by others, but about being yourself. Eventually, we have to grow up, but what that looks like is different for all of us.
“As Real As Life.”
For Emilia (Silvia Varon), it seems that time has come. She portrays a main character that is not only relatable, but also quite engaging. As a struggling actress who can’t seem to commit to her relationship she could have been a caricature, but she’s not. She’s fully fleshed out, and it makes it tremendously easy to root for her. Even though things are a bit spotty: she drinks too much- ending up at her girlfriend Mariana’s (Diana Wiswell) door late nights, she makes her money teaching part time, and still lives with her mother. Mariana wants her to move in, but most mornings she’s gone before breakfast.
By all accounts her life seems to be in flux, not finding certainty in any area: a slacker. Except, that is, within her longtime friendships with a group of women. The film starts with an intimate home video showing they have grown together without growing apart: Angélica (Alejandra Lara), Clara (Tatiana Renteria) and Renata (Ximena Rodriguez). Angélica is getting married, and the four gather together fairly frequently. They do occasionally seem to exclude Emilia, pinning her as the odd one of the group, with Angélica even teasing that her bisexuality “doesn’t exist.” Despite her isolation, there’s a cohesion with these women that make their shared history authentic.
While Emilia has several scenes showing how much of a mess she is, there’s also a symbiotic dispensing of flaws with others in the movie. No one is perfect, and all the women have their secrets, their doubts. Her friends, who don’t get nearly the same screen time, are also delivered in a way that allows you to get a reasonable take on their personalities and concerns.
Some are unhappy (or at the very least discontented) with their choices, some are unfaithful, and one is lying to the others about who they truly are. Things are never simple, and we all have our baggage. Emilia is just the easy target because she doesn’t hide what her faults are. In this way, she’s the most courageous of the group, definitely the most verbally honest. Eventually we have to start facing the music of our life and Second Star on The Right quite literally does that by not only providing an in-depth take, but also shooting parts like music videos (an odd, but awesome addition).
“And This Is Me.”
When Emilia loses her job, she’s forced to work with Angélica, doing exactly the kind of work she’s hoped to avoid. When things come to a head with Mariana, her life begins a tail-spin. She parties even more, and sleeps with one of her ex-students. There’s also an inevitable meltdown with her friends, voicing some of the things they’ve long kept in.
There are some terrific stylistic choices made throughout the film that infuse it with a vitality that makes even the upsetting moments shine. With varying scenes in black and white with a couple colorful bursts in between, there’s an ambiance that director Ruth Caudeli uses expertly. The occasional colorful dynamic allows us to see these women: exuberant and untamed. A couple times in the movie there’s sequences with songs, and they bring a fitting sense of enchantment to the story while also stripping down the walls of the imaginary. Often times they come unexpectedly, and the finality of the film has a song (my headers are lyrics pulled from them) that perfectly encapsulates the tale: we aren’t perfect, but we are real.
There’s no pushiness when it comes to the choices Emilia makes, or any of the women. The script, also written by Ruth Caudeli is both funny and poignant. With frequent pop culture references and humor that seems inherently real, it’s easy to fall into step with these friends. The script also adequately highlights the prejudice of bisexuality, even within friends.
Mariana and Emilia have a wonderful chemistry. While everyone is wonderfully cast, Silvia Varon is a star. She’s guarded, but vulnerable, and quite affable – hard not to watch.
“I’m Not Your Cinderella” Conclusion: Second Star on the Right
Life isn’t easy, it isn’t perfect, and no one knows what’s going to happen. There’s no solidification in the ending either, which I loved. We just have this group of friends, beginning to understand one another and themselves better, and Emilia, heading off into her future, whatever that may be. Second Star on the Right winningly captures our varying levels of maturation and individualism, with beauty and style. There are equal intentions here that’ll make you smile, cry, and those that’ll make you look at yourself a little deeper.
What did you think of the movie? Let us know in the comments below!.
Second Star on the Right had its premiere at Outfest 2019 on July 19th.
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