O Beijo da Mulher-Aranha

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.

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.

Just got out of the first screening for this film at Sundance 2025. I am beyond blown away, the film is such a beautiful rendition of a familiar story, the cinemetography is so grand and upscale and are matched by grand and terrific performances by the films cast but the real start of this film of course is Jennifer Lopez. The choreography, the singing and the character work here is splended. I anticipate this will very likely garner her a 3rd Golden Globe nomination (Hopefully Win!) and hopefully her first Oscar Nomination. After the tumultuous and very forced hate train of last year (Which was clearly orchestrated and manufactured) Jennifer Lopez deserves to have the praise she will without a doubt receive from this role. Bravo!

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.

... 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.