By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Julie Taymor
Starring: Alfred Molina | Ashley Judd | Geoffrey Rush | Salma Hayek
Country: canada, united_states
Year: 2002
Running time: 118
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0120679
Emily & Greg say: “This was a surprisingly rich and engaging bio-pic of Frida Kahlo, largely driven by Salma Hayak’s compelling performance as Kahlo and Alfred Molina’s as husband Diego Rivera. This is a film that may end up finding a large audience and possibly some Oscar nominations when it comes out here, but it’s a film you can feel good about liking. If you’re unfamiliar, as Greg was, with much of Kahlo’s life and story, it’s a fascinating introduction, and it’s told with such elegance and passion here. It also probably helped that Greg has had a huge crush on Salma for many years now and she is especially sexy and luminous here as Kahlo (Edward Norton, that lucky man…). The film techniques used are especially worthy of note (there are some animations painted atop the regular film) that add some of that artist’s spice to the presentation of the story as well.”
Howard says: “Julie Taymor really has an eye for beauty, which she has proved in her Broadway version of The Lion King and her first film,TITUS. In FRIDA, she reigns in her over-blown effects work that set TITUS apart, but also set it on the border of overblown. Here she uses the rich, earth-tones of Mexico and the beautiful pastels of Santa Fe to bring to life the story of artist, Frida Kahlo.
“Frida is portrayed by Selma Hayek in a eye-opening performance that proves the woman CAN actually act. This is her vehicle as star and producer, so has made sure to bring all of Fridas modesty, love of art, temper and pain to life to the screen. She does so with both subtly and with an air of yearning for acceptance within the acting community. This is not a bad Thing as it brings out the qualities of Frida of yearning to be accepted with art that she is convinced only she will like due to their very personal nature.
“Of course, none of Hayeks attempts would be as good as they are if not for her supporting cast. Alfred Molina is simply incredible as her communist, self-gratifying husband and comrade in painting, Diego Rivera. And Mia Maestro gives a sublime performance in the small role of Fridas sister, Cristina.
“Also supporting the cast is the movies music. As much part of Mexican heritage as part of the film, great thought is given to the songs used in the pivotal scenes. These heighten the emotional level of the film such as the scene where Frida is being sung to in an empty bar after finding Diego cheating with Cristina.
“But the best part of the film is Taymors use of special effects to literally bring Fridas paintings to life. Extraordinary care is given to re-create her paintings as live set pieces. Its simply amazing. This is Taymors element and none are doing it better in film.
“As the film ends, we witness, through Fridas painting, that Diego has respected her request to have her cremated. She wants her broken body burned to make sure that she would never have to return to the physical pain and agony that she bravely faced through most of her life. A suffering that, had it not happened, may have robbed the world of her inspirational, provocative, original and emotional-twisting artwork.” 4 cats