Kiss of the Spider Woman

I got lucky at Sundance and caught the second viewing of this gem. I recall the original film with Raul Julia and William Hurt and loved it. This is a whole new approach and it works throughout. I was worried that Jennifer Lopez would steal the show but if anything lead actors Diego Luna and Tonatiuh made it for me. Don't misunderstand, Lopez was wonderful but the the two inmates were incredible in prison as well as in the fantasy film musical. Their chemistry was perfect and their comedic timing of great dialogue made it a joy.

Don't waste any time getting out to see this film as soon as it opens.

... such are the eyes through which we see the world nowadays. Nonetheless, a story of two people catching each other in their own webs and becoming more than just cellmates. Superbly acted and directed, if not a little dated.

We've come a long way since this was written and released, we see the world through different eyes, have different perspectives on what is acceptable and what is not. This film would not be made today, like so many films of the past that had themes that were challenging, but subsequently turn out to be considerably different from what society will tolerate some years later. You decide, read between the lines.

Watched at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

The original "Kiss of the Spider Woman" from 1985 is pretty good, while it does have it's fault, it's an ambitious tale of romance, politics, and meta-fiction. Based on the musical version of "Kiss of the Spider Woman", this adaptation is a mixed bag for me. I appreciate several aspects as the camerawork, the production designs, and a new direction approach from Bill Condon does offer a grand and new upscale vision of the source material. Orchestrated with some interesting musical numbers and score compositions throughout.

The performances are mostly solid as they are able to offer their emotions and attachments. What makes this not fully work is due to it's narrative being uneven with how it wants to approach it's themes and the characters, unlike the original movie (yes, I understand it is based on the musical adaptation and it's different), felt lacking with any emotional connections. Condon direction seems to struggle with certain aspects that don't feel fully balanced and ends up feeling more unstable and unmemorable.

Despite good musical score, some of the musical lyrics don't really hit a punch. Many aspects are too recapture the period times of musical eras and while I do appreciate the new approach, it doesn't feel memorable and at times, feels repetitive. Alongside with some strange dialogue choices that felt out of place.

Overall, I am left with more mixed feelings as I do love the atmosphere and the new direction it takes, but it's uneven narrative and lack of emotional connection doesn't work for me.

I'm going to have to say this wasn't what I hoped it would be. Although I appreciate to forge your own path like Condon did with this, he just got lost. The performances from both the main characters were good. But Jennifer Lopez was just ok for me, as usual. There's so much attention that goes to her with every project she does and that it robs the other true talent of their spotlight. I'm hoping this doesn't happen here because it will ruin the whole story for so many musical fans. I believe using another less known actress would have better suited the Ingrid Luna character. I give it a generous 6/10.

I'm intrigued that Bill Condon has chosen to remake "Kiss of the Spider Woman" as a musical. Based on a Manuel Puig novel, the story focuses on two men imprisoned under Brazil's 1970s military dictatorship: Valentin, a leftist suspected of seeking to overthrow the junta, and Molina, a gay man held because of his sexuality. The narrative contrasts the characters shared plight with their sharply opposed attitudes toward power, and with the evolving hopes and stories that keep them going. Director Eduardo Barreto's 1985 adaptation garnered high praise, as did stars William Hurt, Raul Julia, and Sonia Braga. The film is a harrowing exploration of oppression which subtly pressed 1980s Western audiences about the brutal authoritarian regimes our governments backed for the sake of anticommunism, about the marginalization of both egalitarian politics and gay people throughout the world. Yet, the cellmates aren't given a free pass: They waver between selfishness and solidarity. Just when you think you've figured them out, they take a turn. Forty years later, the story seems roughly the same, but our context has changed. Today, Condon's KOTSW remake is being released into a U. S. A. That's taking its own authoritarian turn. The government isn't a military dictatorship, but the president rules by decree, defies the courts, disappears thousands of civilians daily to prison camps, and floods the streets with troops at the slightest pretext. Fittingly, Andor star Diego Luna takes over Raul Julia's role as the revolutionary Valentin.