THE AVON LADY | Omeleto

Film Kookllection
Published on May 30, 2025
A woman struggles with a job.

THE AVON LADY is used with permission from Carolina Espiro. Learn more http://carolinaespiro.com.

Rosa is a 65-year-old Chilean immigrant who decides to become an Avon Lady, in part to practice her English and earn some extra money. But she's having a hard time getting into the swing of things, struggling with her pronunciation, her spiel and her confidence.

But then she meets a friendly eccentric neighbor, Matty, who is not only patient with Rosa but helps her with her presentation. Under Matty's tutelage, she blooms into the confident, joyful saleswoman she longs to be.

Directed and written by Carolina Espiro, this colorful, delightful short comedy chronicles the travails and triumphs of a senior immigrant woman embarking on a new challenge, as she ventures forth into the wider world to become an Avon Lady. Iconic in the 1980s as a symbol of feminine independence, Avon Ladies sold not just makeup but glamour and empowerment to their customers. But Rosa's need to get her English up to speed hampers her aspirations until she meets a friendly, cheerfully vivacious neighbor who teaches her the secret of success.

Shot with cheerful, stylized cinematography and an effervescent pace, the winsome storytelling begins bright and broad, full of good-spirited silliness. It has fun with Rosa's initial fumbles as she goes door-to-door, meeting with everything from skepticism to hostile dogs along the way. But even as it entertains with Rosa's hapless misadventures, it establishes how she's having a hard time, and each mini-failure chips away at her optimism and confidence.

The heart of the story emerges when Rosa meets Matty, and the film opens up a more sincere, heartfelt register in what becomes a funny and touching scene. There's still plenty of playfulness, especially because Matty -- beautifully played by actor Michael Mullen with bold exuberance -- is such an expressive character, and he lands many of the witty script's quips with flair. But he's also kind and empathetic, offering Rosa gentle yet honest feedback on her presentation. And then, helping her to see that her disadvantage is not an obstacle, he helps Rosa find her voice -- and her unique way of selling her wares.

Plucky, warm-hearted and winsome THE AVON LADY as a viewing experience is much like Rosa herself, played by actor Elena Espiro with adorable charm. Based on the experiences of the director's mother, it's a story about finding the courage to step outside of their comfort zone in hopes of achieving a dream. It's also a tribute to kindness and the value of helping one's neighbor and community. And with the funny postscript, it's also a reminder to pay it forward -- when we help others thrive, we can thrive as well.