One of Frida Kahlo’s paintings featured in the documentary Frida. © 2024 Banco de México Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo Museums Trust. Av. 5 de Mayo No. 20, col. Centro, alc. Cuauhtémoc, c.p. 06000, Mexico City. Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video
Frida Kahlo remains endlessly intriguing, in part because the Mexican artist’s colorful paintings remain striking, mysterious and even slightly disturbing and partly because of her bold, dramatic, sometimes tragic life. The artist has been the subject of several films, both narrative and documentary, and Kahlo has been played beautifully by actresses Salma Hayek and Ofelia Medina among others. But in director/writer Carla Gutierrez’s new biographical documentary Frida, Frida Kahlo plays herself.
Gutierrez’s Frida brings fresh insights into Frida Kahlo’s life and work, by putting that life into her own words for the first time, words exclusively drawn from her letters, interviews and her illustrated diary. We also hear...
Frida Kahlo remains endlessly intriguing, in part because the Mexican artist’s colorful paintings remain striking, mysterious and even slightly disturbing and partly because of her bold, dramatic, sometimes tragic life. The artist has been the subject of several films, both narrative and documentary, and Kahlo has been played beautifully by actresses Salma Hayek and Ofelia Medina among others. But in director/writer Carla Gutierrez’s new biographical documentary Frida, Frida Kahlo plays herself.
Gutierrez’s Frida brings fresh insights into Frida Kahlo’s life and work, by putting that life into her own words for the first time, words exclusively drawn from her letters, interviews and her illustrated diary. We also hear...
- 3/15/2024
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The image of Frida Kahlo, the prominent Mexican painter of the early 20 century, is one of the most replicated and commercialized of any artist in the history of the world. From T-shirts to houseware, merchandise of all sorts emblazoned with her face has turned Kahlo into a kitschy, mainstream, decontextualized emblem for Mexican identity. It doesn’t help that the vast majority of her works are self-portraits. Onscreen, the Salma Hayek-starring Hollywood biopic from director Julie Taymor and Paul Leduc’s 1983’s Mexican-production “Frida Still Life” attempted to decipher the tehuana-clad iconoclast via scripted portrayals.
With all that cultural and media baggage on her shoulders, Carla Gutiérrez dares to construct a documentary using a unique approach to such an imposing subject. An editor taking on directorial duties for the first time, Gutierrez is no stranger to assembling nonfiction portraits of major figures, having cut titles like “Rgb” and “Chavela”. Told mostly in Spanish,...
With all that cultural and media baggage on her shoulders, Carla Gutiérrez dares to construct a documentary using a unique approach to such an imposing subject. An editor taking on directorial duties for the first time, Gutierrez is no stranger to assembling nonfiction portraits of major figures, having cut titles like “Rgb” and “Chavela”. Told mostly in Spanish,...
- 1/20/2024
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Variety Film + TV
Editor’s Note: This review was originally published at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Amazon will release “Friday” on March 14.
One of the great tragedies of Frida Kahlo’s life is the fact that, for all her brilliance as an artist, she was often defined by the people whose orbits she shared. In the eyes of many, her primary role in history was being Diego Rivera’s wife, a source of inspiration and creative friction that propelled him to greatness as he painted his legendary murals. Her infamous affair with Leon Trotsky only added to the mystique of her image as a muse for male revolutionaries. It’s a wildly simplistic understanding of her life, of course, as Kahlo’s paintings are every bit as historically significant as Rivera’s. From her early embrace of Mexican folk art and Surrealist imagery to her unflinching depictions of female anatomy and malaise, Kahlo...
One of the great tragedies of Frida Kahlo’s life is the fact that, for all her brilliance as an artist, she was often defined by the people whose orbits she shared. In the eyes of many, her primary role in history was being Diego Rivera’s wife, a source of inspiration and creative friction that propelled him to greatness as he painted his legendary murals. Her infamous affair with Leon Trotsky only added to the mystique of her image as a muse for male revolutionaries. It’s a wildly simplistic understanding of her life, of course, as Kahlo’s paintings are every bit as historically significant as Rivera’s. From her early embrace of Mexican folk art and Surrealist imagery to her unflinching depictions of female anatomy and malaise, Kahlo...
- 1/19/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
My guess is that Frida Kahlo would have loathed “Immersive Frida Kahlo,” the kind of touring exhibit that professes to honor the canvas while bathing it in digital-tech kitsch. And, having seen Carla Gutiérrez’s riveting documentary Frida, I’m certain the artist would have announced her disdain with a laugh and a healthy dose of juicy invective. If you want to immerse yourself in Frida Kahlo, here is the real thing.
Taking the helm for the first time, editor Gutiérrez (Rbg, Julia) pushes past the dime-a-dozen “icon” label to face the artist on her own terms, drawing upon Kahlo’s illustrated diaries and letters. The film’s archival riches also include an extraordinary selection of photographs and footage, and the transcripts of interviews with people close to Kahlo by biographer Hayden Herrera, whose 1983 book was the basis of the Julie Taymor biopic starring Salma Hayek.
Whatever that 2002 movie’s strengths and weaknesses,...
Taking the helm for the first time, editor Gutiérrez (Rbg, Julia) pushes past the dime-a-dozen “icon” label to face the artist on her own terms, drawing upon Kahlo’s illustrated diaries and letters. The film’s archival riches also include an extraordinary selection of photographs and footage, and the transcripts of interviews with people close to Kahlo by biographer Hayden Herrera, whose 1983 book was the basis of the Julie Taymor biopic starring Salma Hayek.
Whatever that 2002 movie’s strengths and weaknesses,...
- 1/19/2024
- by Sheri Linden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 9:00 Pm, PBS invites viewers to delve into the life of the renowned artist Frida Kahlo in the documentary series “Becoming Frida Kahlo.” In the third episode titled “A Star Is Born,” the series continues to explore the fascinating journey of Frida Kahlo.
This episode focuses on the later years of Frida Kahlo’s life, shedding light on significant events and relationships. It delves into her passionate affair with Leon Trotsky, her journey to Paris on the eve of World War II, and her eventual return to Mexico. Notably, viewers will witness her tumultuous relationship with the famous muralist Diego Rivera, including a divorce and remarriage before her tragic passing.
Join PBS on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 9:00 Pm, as they uncover the captivating story of Frida Kahlo’s later life and the profound impact she left on the world of art and culture.
Release Date & Time:...
This episode focuses on the later years of Frida Kahlo’s life, shedding light on significant events and relationships. It delves into her passionate affair with Leon Trotsky, her journey to Paris on the eve of World War II, and her eventual return to Mexico. Notably, viewers will witness her tumultuous relationship with the famous muralist Diego Rivera, including a divorce and remarriage before her tragic passing.
Join PBS on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 9:00 Pm, as they uncover the captivating story of Frida Kahlo’s later life and the profound impact she left on the world of art and culture.
Release Date & Time:...
- 9/29/2023
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 9:00 Pm, PBS invites viewers to delve into the life of the renowned artist Frida Kahlo in the documentary series “Becoming Frida Kahlo.” In the third episode titled “A Star Is Born,” the series continues to explore the fascinating journey of Frida Kahlo.
This episode focuses on the later years of Frida Kahlo’s life, shedding light on significant events and relationships. It delves into her passionate affair with Leon Trotsky, her journey to Paris on the eve of World War II, and her eventual return to Mexico. Notably, viewers will witness her tumultuous relationship with the famous muralist Diego Rivera, including a divorce and remarriage before her tragic passing.
Join PBS on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 9:00 Pm, as they uncover the captivating story of Frida Kahlo’s later life and the profound impact she left on the world of art and culture.
Release Date & Time:...
This episode focuses on the later years of Frida Kahlo’s life, shedding light on significant events and relationships. It delves into her passionate affair with Leon Trotsky, her journey to Paris on the eve of World War II, and her eventual return to Mexico. Notably, viewers will witness her tumultuous relationship with the famous muralist Diego Rivera, including a divorce and remarriage before her tragic passing.
Join PBS on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 9:00 Pm, as they uncover the captivating story of Frida Kahlo’s later life and the profound impact she left on the world of art and culture.
Release Date & Time:...
- 9/28/2023
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Tl;Dr:
A John Lennon album expressed the former Beatle’s feelings about God and reality. One of the songs seems to dismiss spirituality of all kinds. John revealed what he had in common with hippies ideologically.
John Lennon wanted one of his albums to make fans question God. In addition, he said he didn’t want people to be too comfortable with their understanding of the world. The album in question was a hit and it produced one of John’s most upsetting singles.
The 1st John Lennon album dismisses God, the Bible, Jesus, tarot cards, and Elvis Presley
The book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations With John Lennon includes an interview from 1971. In it, John revealed the intent behind his debut solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. “I’m expressing my own feelings, but then the job of that record, really, is to incite in other people’s...
A John Lennon album expressed the former Beatle’s feelings about God and reality. One of the songs seems to dismiss spirituality of all kinds. John revealed what he had in common with hippies ideologically.
John Lennon wanted one of his albums to make fans question God. In addition, he said he didn’t want people to be too comfortable with their understanding of the world. The album in question was a hit and it produced one of John’s most upsetting singles.
The 1st John Lennon album dismisses God, the Bible, Jesus, tarot cards, and Elvis Presley
The book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations With John Lennon includes an interview from 1971. In it, John revealed the intent behind his debut solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. “I’m expressing my own feelings, but then the job of that record, really, is to incite in other people’s...
- 8/10/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
(Welcome to The Weekly Watchlist, a feature where we program everything you need to stream this week. In this edition: "History of the World, Part II" takes center stage, but we also offer up some silly comedies and less-silly historical epics to stream.)
The Series: "History of the World, Part II"
Where You Can Stream It: Hulu
The Pitch: Over four decades after the original sketch comedy movie "History of the World, Part I," legendary funnyman Mel Brooks is back to pay off on the tongue-in-cheek promise of that dangling subtitle. Nobody ever really thought we'd receive a follow-up to the 1981 film -- let alone one that's a whopping 40 years later, debuting as a series on a streaming service, and spearheaded by the same director who is now a sprightly 96 years young. But if we have no choice but to muddle our way through life in the year of our lord 2023, well,...
The Series: "History of the World, Part II"
Where You Can Stream It: Hulu
The Pitch: Over four decades after the original sketch comedy movie "History of the World, Part I," legendary funnyman Mel Brooks is back to pay off on the tongue-in-cheek promise of that dangling subtitle. Nobody ever really thought we'd receive a follow-up to the 1981 film -- let alone one that's a whopping 40 years later, debuting as a series on a streaming service, and spearheaded by the same director who is now a sprightly 96 years young. But if we have no choice but to muddle our way through life in the year of our lord 2023, well,...
- 3/6/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
History of the World, Part II — Episode 102 — Judas betrays Jesus; Shirley Chisholm makes a big announcement. General Grant finds himself in trouble and Marco Polo meets Kublai Khan. Schmuck Mudman (Nick Kroll), shown. (Photo by: Greg Gayne/Hulu)
After waiting over 40 years there is finally a sequel to the seminal Mel Brooks film, “History of the World, Part I,” with each episode featuring a variety of sketches that take us through different periods of human history.
Starring Mel Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz, catch the first teaser.
Mel Brooks writes and executive produces on the series along with Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen. Kevin Salter, David Greenbaum and Christie Smith also serve as executive producers. “History of the World Part II” is a production of Searchlight Television and 20th Television.
Mel Brooks’ History of the World Part II, a four night event, begins streaming March 6 on Hulu.
After waiting over 40 years there is finally a sequel to the seminal Mel Brooks film, “History of the World, Part I,” with each episode featuring a variety of sketches that take us through different periods of human history.
Starring Mel Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz, catch the first teaser.
Mel Brooks writes and executive produces on the series along with Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen. Kevin Salter, David Greenbaum and Christie Smith also serve as executive producers. “History of the World Part II” is a production of Searchlight Television and 20th Television.
Mel Brooks’ History of the World Part II, a four night event, begins streaming March 6 on Hulu.
- 1/13/2023
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Hulu is offering up a first look of History of the World, Part II, the sequel to the seminal Mel Brooks film History of the World: Part I from 1981. It will premiere this spring.
Each episode features a variety of sketches that will take viewers through different periods of human history. It stars Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll and Ike Barinholtz. Brooks is a writer and executive producer on the series along with Kroll, Sykes, Barinholtz, David Stassen, Kevin Salter, David Greenbaum and Christie Smith.
History of the World, Part II is a production of Searchlight Television and 20th Television.
Ike Barinholtz as Leon Trotsky (Hulu) Nick Kroll as Schmuck Mudman (Hulu) Wanda Sykes, center, as Shirley Chisholm (Hulu)...
Each episode features a variety of sketches that will take viewers through different periods of human history. It stars Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll and Ike Barinholtz. Brooks is a writer and executive producer on the series along with Kroll, Sykes, Barinholtz, David Stassen, Kevin Salter, David Greenbaum and Christie Smith.
History of the World, Part II is a production of Searchlight Television and 20th Television.
Ike Barinholtz as Leon Trotsky (Hulu) Nick Kroll as Schmuck Mudman (Hulu) Wanda Sykes, center, as Shirley Chisholm (Hulu)...
- 1/4/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Prime Video has released the teaser trailer for the upcoming comedic-thriller series “The Consultant,” starring Christoph Waltz.
Based on Bentley Little’s 2015 novel of the same name, the eight-episode series revolves around Regus Patoff (Waltz), a consultant who is hired to improve the business at the gaming company CompWare. Under his guidance, the employees begin to experience new and twisted demands. In addition to Waltz, the series stars Nat Wolff, Brittany O’Grady and Aimee Carrero.
“The Consultant” is from MGM Television and Amazon Studios. Creator and showrunner Tony Basgallop serves as an executive producer alongside Waltz, Matt Shakman, Steve Stark and Andrew Mittman, while Kai Dolbashian produces.
“The Consultant” premieres Feb. 24 on Prime Video. Watch the teaser below.
Also in today’s TV news:
Deals
CNN has hired former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger as a senior political commentator. Kinzinger raised his profile over the past year as one of only...
Based on Bentley Little’s 2015 novel of the same name, the eight-episode series revolves around Regus Patoff (Waltz), a consultant who is hired to improve the business at the gaming company CompWare. Under his guidance, the employees begin to experience new and twisted demands. In addition to Waltz, the series stars Nat Wolff, Brittany O’Grady and Aimee Carrero.
“The Consultant” is from MGM Television and Amazon Studios. Creator and showrunner Tony Basgallop serves as an executive producer alongside Waltz, Matt Shakman, Steve Stark and Andrew Mittman, while Kai Dolbashian produces.
“The Consultant” premieres Feb. 24 on Prime Video. Watch the teaser below.
Also in today’s TV news:
Deals
CNN has hired former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger as a senior political commentator. Kinzinger raised his profile over the past year as one of only...
- 1/4/2023
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Speaking at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where he’s being feted with lifetime achievement honors, Australian actor Geoffrey Rush says that the prospect of playing Groucho Marx in Oren Moverman’s “Raised Eyebrows” is “scary,” but that he’s always enjoyed the challenge of complex characters.
It is not a biopic, he says of the film – still in development – adapted from the book “Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho’s House” by Steve Stoliar, which focuses on the last days of the legendary comic. “I describe it as a tragi-comedy about mortality,” he says. “He’s 83 to 86, at the end of his life. There’s dementia but you never know because with Groucho he would never let you know that he’s forgetting things.”
Mastering the way Groucho Marx spoke is a challenge, Rush admits. “His dialogue is so hard to learn because it’s non sequiturs – you know how he would free-form.
It is not a biopic, he says of the film – still in development – adapted from the book “Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho’s House” by Steve Stoliar, which focuses on the last days of the legendary comic. “I describe it as a tragi-comedy about mortality,” he says. “He’s 83 to 86, at the end of his life. There’s dementia but you never know because with Groucho he would never let you know that he’s forgetting things.”
Mastering the way Groucho Marx spoke is a challenge, Rush admits. “His dialogue is so hard to learn because it’s non sequiturs – you know how he would free-form.
- 7/7/2022
- by Will Tizard
- Variety Film + TV
Russian producer Alexander Rodnyansky brings a basket brimming with projects to this year’s AFM as he looks forward to easier international conditions as the Covid pandemic begins to recede.
Deals with two of Russia’s biggest platforms — Kinopoisk HD on local search engine giant Yandex, and Okko, part of leading bank Sber (which has a client base that numbers 90 million) — as well as a strategic partnership and first-look deal with Apple to produce Russian-language and multilingual international shows for Apple Plus TV allows the two-time Oscar nominee a breadth of material with which to work.
Top projects include “Red Rainbow,” the winner of this year’s co-production pitching competition at Series Mania. “Rainbow” is based on a true story set in 1979 about three young gay activists from West Berlin who are invited to Moscow on an official visit, not realizing that homosexuality is a crime in the Soviet Union.
Deals with two of Russia’s biggest platforms — Kinopoisk HD on local search engine giant Yandex, and Okko, part of leading bank Sber (which has a client base that numbers 90 million) — as well as a strategic partnership and first-look deal with Apple to produce Russian-language and multilingual international shows for Apple Plus TV allows the two-time Oscar nominee a breadth of material with which to work.
Top projects include “Red Rainbow,” the winner of this year’s co-production pitching competition at Series Mania. “Rainbow” is based on a true story set in 1979 about three young gay activists from West Berlin who are invited to Moscow on an official visit, not realizing that homosexuality is a crime in the Soviet Union.
- 10/31/2021
- by Nick Holdsworth
- Variety Film + TV
Frida
The lives of great artists are notorious for their resistance to the biopic treatment. The iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo proves no exception.
While this film dutifully chronicles her suffering, obsessions and battles with her own body, it stands in pale contrast to Kahlo's real biography, which is her amazing paintings.
In development for nearly a decade, battling rival projects and studio skittishness, "Frida" emerges as a fairly convention biopic rather than the artistic statement one might anticipate given director Julie Taymor's theatrical background and actress-producer Salma Hayek's passion for the role.
The film hues closely to the facts of Kahlo's life and her tempestuous relationship with world-famous muralist Diego Rivera, her mentor and husband. Taymor puts Frida's vivid and often disturbing art to sagacious use, slipping the famous images into scenes to reflect or comment on dramatic developments. But the film somehow misses the mark, having made rather tidy a messy and brutally painful life.
As more than 100 published books concern Kahlo and Rivera, one should never underestimate the public appetite for this story. With a stellar cast -- Alfred Molina as Rivera, Geoffrey Rush as Leon Trotsky, Edward Norton as Nelson Rockefeller, Antonio Banderas as muralist David Siqueiros and Ashley Judd as photographer Tina Modotti -- along with a careful rollout and Miramax's marketing muscle, "Frida" does have potential as an art house hit. The outlook overseas and in ancillary markets is even more positive.
The movie begins on the day of Frida's one and only exhibit in Mexico, in the spring of 1953. Her health has deteriorated so greatly, the doctor forbids her to leave her bed. So she has her bed carted to the gallery. On the ride over, the movie goes into a flashback. Frida, a high-school tomboy, loves to get into mischief with a gang of boys. She sneaks into a school auditorium where the great Rivera is painting.
The movie quickly moves to the trauma that shapes her life: A trolley accident in 1925 leaves her impaled on a metal rod. So devastated is her body that it's a miracle she even lives, much less that she walks again. Lying in bed for months, bored and in pain, she takes up painting. Her parents (Roger Rees and Patricia Reyes Spindola) give her a special easel and canopied bed with a mirror above her so she can be her own model. A life of self-portraiture, of painting the inner and outer Frida Kahlo, thus begins.
The story of her event-filled life understandably moves swiftly. Yet the consequence is that the movie gives short shrift to Frida's recovery and the enormous will power she developed to tolerate pain and fatigue. Clearly, the drinking, smoking and drug use that come later help her to dull that pain.
The bond between Diego and Frida is handled with empathy. Molina captures Diego's bearish personality, his huge body, his embrace of sensual pleasures and his fierce commitment to leftist political principles. In one of the film's welcome flights of surreal fancy, Rivera is fittingly depicted, in cutout images, as King Kong atop the Empire State Building, batting at airplanes as he would his critics. Molina gets the essential goodness of the man, his firm belief in loyalty and a set of principles that sometimes gets overshadowed by his many adulterous affairs, the worst being with Frida's own sister (Mia Maestro).
Hayek learned how to paint and how to effect the outer Frida -- including her wearing of traditional Mexican clothing. Other than Frida's trademark thick, connecting eyebrows, though, she has not allowed the makeup artist to de-glamorize her. More problematic is the fact Hayek doesn't inhabit her character as Molina does his. She is playing a role while Molina is Diego.
The film neither makes too much nor too little of its protagonists' wild side -- their open marriage, where they even shared lovers, or Frida's bisexuality and her affair with Trotsky, which may have cost him his life. The only sugar-coating comes near the end: It's quite possible Frida took her own life but the film never hints of this.
Rodrigo Preito's colorful and appealing cinematography, designer Felipe Fernandez's period re-creations and Elliot Goldenthal's guitar-flavored music, picking up Mexican themes, make a tight budget go a long way.
FRIDA
Miramax Films
Miramax presents in association with Margaret Rose Perenchio
A Ventanarosa Production in association with Lions Gate Films
Credits:
Director: Julie Taymor
Writers: Clancy Sigel, Diane Lake, Gregory Nava, Anna Thomas
Based on the book by: Hayden Herrera
Producers: Sarah Green, Salma Hayek, Jay Polstein, Nancy Hardin, Lindsay Flickinger, Roberto Sneiders
Executive producer: Mark Amin, Brian Gibson, Mark Gill, Jill Sobel Messick, Amy Slotnick
Director of photography: Rodrigo Prieto
Production designer: Felipe Fernandez
Music: Elliot Goldenthal
Costume designer: Julie Weiss
Editor: Francoise Bonnot
Cast:
Frida Kahlo: Salma Hayek
Diego Rivera: Alfred Molina
Leon Trotsky: Geoffrey Rush
Nelson Rockefeller: Edward Norton
David Siqueiros: Antonio Banderas
Cristina Kahlo: Mia Maestro
Tina Modotti: Ashley Judd
Guillermo Kahlo: Roger Rees
Lupe Marin: Valeria Golino
Matilde Kahlo: Patricia Reyes Spindola
Alejandro: Diego Luna
Running time -- 119 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
While this film dutifully chronicles her suffering, obsessions and battles with her own body, it stands in pale contrast to Kahlo's real biography, which is her amazing paintings.
In development for nearly a decade, battling rival projects and studio skittishness, "Frida" emerges as a fairly convention biopic rather than the artistic statement one might anticipate given director Julie Taymor's theatrical background and actress-producer Salma Hayek's passion for the role.
The film hues closely to the facts of Kahlo's life and her tempestuous relationship with world-famous muralist Diego Rivera, her mentor and husband. Taymor puts Frida's vivid and often disturbing art to sagacious use, slipping the famous images into scenes to reflect or comment on dramatic developments. But the film somehow misses the mark, having made rather tidy a messy and brutally painful life.
As more than 100 published books concern Kahlo and Rivera, one should never underestimate the public appetite for this story. With a stellar cast -- Alfred Molina as Rivera, Geoffrey Rush as Leon Trotsky, Edward Norton as Nelson Rockefeller, Antonio Banderas as muralist David Siqueiros and Ashley Judd as photographer Tina Modotti -- along with a careful rollout and Miramax's marketing muscle, "Frida" does have potential as an art house hit. The outlook overseas and in ancillary markets is even more positive.
The movie begins on the day of Frida's one and only exhibit in Mexico, in the spring of 1953. Her health has deteriorated so greatly, the doctor forbids her to leave her bed. So she has her bed carted to the gallery. On the ride over, the movie goes into a flashback. Frida, a high-school tomboy, loves to get into mischief with a gang of boys. She sneaks into a school auditorium where the great Rivera is painting.
The movie quickly moves to the trauma that shapes her life: A trolley accident in 1925 leaves her impaled on a metal rod. So devastated is her body that it's a miracle she even lives, much less that she walks again. Lying in bed for months, bored and in pain, she takes up painting. Her parents (Roger Rees and Patricia Reyes Spindola) give her a special easel and canopied bed with a mirror above her so she can be her own model. A life of self-portraiture, of painting the inner and outer Frida Kahlo, thus begins.
The story of her event-filled life understandably moves swiftly. Yet the consequence is that the movie gives short shrift to Frida's recovery and the enormous will power she developed to tolerate pain and fatigue. Clearly, the drinking, smoking and drug use that come later help her to dull that pain.
The bond between Diego and Frida is handled with empathy. Molina captures Diego's bearish personality, his huge body, his embrace of sensual pleasures and his fierce commitment to leftist political principles. In one of the film's welcome flights of surreal fancy, Rivera is fittingly depicted, in cutout images, as King Kong atop the Empire State Building, batting at airplanes as he would his critics. Molina gets the essential goodness of the man, his firm belief in loyalty and a set of principles that sometimes gets overshadowed by his many adulterous affairs, the worst being with Frida's own sister (Mia Maestro).
Hayek learned how to paint and how to effect the outer Frida -- including her wearing of traditional Mexican clothing. Other than Frida's trademark thick, connecting eyebrows, though, she has not allowed the makeup artist to de-glamorize her. More problematic is the fact Hayek doesn't inhabit her character as Molina does his. She is playing a role while Molina is Diego.
The film neither makes too much nor too little of its protagonists' wild side -- their open marriage, where they even shared lovers, or Frida's bisexuality and her affair with Trotsky, which may have cost him his life. The only sugar-coating comes near the end: It's quite possible Frida took her own life but the film never hints of this.
Rodrigo Preito's colorful and appealing cinematography, designer Felipe Fernandez's period re-creations and Elliot Goldenthal's guitar-flavored music, picking up Mexican themes, make a tight budget go a long way.
FRIDA
Miramax Films
Miramax presents in association with Margaret Rose Perenchio
A Ventanarosa Production in association with Lions Gate Films
Credits:
Director: Julie Taymor
Writers: Clancy Sigel, Diane Lake, Gregory Nava, Anna Thomas
Based on the book by: Hayden Herrera
Producers: Sarah Green, Salma Hayek, Jay Polstein, Nancy Hardin, Lindsay Flickinger, Roberto Sneiders
Executive producer: Mark Amin, Brian Gibson, Mark Gill, Jill Sobel Messick, Amy Slotnick
Director of photography: Rodrigo Prieto
Production designer: Felipe Fernandez
Music: Elliot Goldenthal
Costume designer: Julie Weiss
Editor: Francoise Bonnot
Cast:
Frida Kahlo: Salma Hayek
Diego Rivera: Alfred Molina
Leon Trotsky: Geoffrey Rush
Nelson Rockefeller: Edward Norton
David Siqueiros: Antonio Banderas
Cristina Kahlo: Mia Maestro
Tina Modotti: Ashley Judd
Guillermo Kahlo: Roger Rees
Lupe Marin: Valeria Golino
Matilde Kahlo: Patricia Reyes Spindola
Alejandro: Diego Luna
Running time -- 119 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 8/30/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lopez To Do Lesbian Sex Scenes
Jennifer Lopez is set to star in her raunchiest role yet- as a controversial bisexual. Jennifer is set to play painter Frida Kahlo in a new drama even though the movie will include sizzling lesbian sex scenes. The left-wing Mexican artist whose lovers included Leon Trotsky, romped with both men and women during her life. A Hollywood source says, "This movie is certain to shock Jennifer's fans. There will be a lot of lesbian sex scenes in it."...
- 8/17/2000
- WENN
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