DVD Movies: Frida DVD Movie

Average Rating:

I watched the movie as a fan of Frida Kahlo and, to tell the truth, even if it stunk as cinema I would like it because of the person whose marvelous life inspired it. Even more, it is very touching and delightful to have someone as talented and beautiful as Salma Hayek pour so much of herself (in more ways than one) into paying homage to a shared hero through the motion picture medium.

It may be blasphemy to say this, but Frida Kahlo's extraordinary life in many ways upstages her actual paintings which, for all their critical acclaim, can be very in-your-face and intimidating. I disagree that more time should have been given to the creation process itself as that aspect of an artist may be too intensely internalized to be filmable in a meaningful way. Given the chance they deserve, however, Kahlo's works lead one not only to the tormented soul of their creator but to the greater glories that are Mexico - and Mexico of the 1930s in particular.

(Many scenes make you want to run down to the local gardening center and buy up all their cacti.)

Even with a more generous budget, it would probably have been near impossible for FRIDA to emerge from the cutting room in some form other than that which the world has grown to expect from Hollywood. We have to face the sad fact that movies are a business and I know of no one who makes movies deliberately to lose money. No doubt FRIDA will help introduce the life of Frida Kahlo to many thousands around the world through this stunning and tasteful 'commodification' of an artist's life.

The great success of FRIDA is that it was made at all. As a Frida fan I do not want to make much of its faults. Indeed, the producers have given us a great cinematic salute to the aethetic sensibilities of the Mexican tradition, many times more beautiful and complex than anything rendered by the brush of a single artist.

Hayek's performance is the finest I've seen by an actress so far in 2002. An Oscar nomination is surely in the cards. Though I understand that FRIDA uncovers nothing new about the life of Kahlo not already known by devotees of her work, the film was a total revelation for me who knew nothing about the artist. And Costuming and Make-up built on Hayek's natural appearance to create the spitting image of the real Frida (whose photo I've just seen on the Web).

Visually, the film is a riot of color. I especially liked those scenes where the viewers' eyes are drawn to a brightly costumed Frida set against surroundings colored with contrasting sepia and/or pastel tones.

My only picky-picky complaint about FRIDA is its treatment of Kahlo's physical condition after the horrific 1925 bus accident that left her with multiple fractures of her pelvis, spine, ribs and leg, and which necessitated over 30 follow-up operations in her lifetime. The visual force of her paintings is generated both by her complex emotional life as well as the terrible physical pain she constantly suffered. Yet in the film, between that time she learns to walk again without a crutch and much later when she climbs an Inca pyramid with Trotsky, there's absolutely no hint in Hayek's portrayal that the artist was in any way physically debilitated beyond an inability to bear children. Where was the stiffness of movement, or the inevitable grimaces of pain? At one point, Kahlo is shown dancing with the fluidity of perfect health. As one afflicted with yet only mild arthritis in the lower back, I found this aspect of Salma's characterization perhaps unreal. However, this is a trivial hiccup in an otherwise superb performance.

Even though Frida is most certainly visually striking, the performances are another crucial aspect of the movie. The supporting cast is excellent ranging from Ashley Judd, Geoffrey Rush, Antonio Banderas and Edward Norton.

The central characters of Frida are Frida and Diego - of course. The film shares it's time equally between Frida and Diego, so we can look at them live their lives and go through their ups and downs. It's done so good, you feel like it's a real couple your looking at, and feel like your there with them.

Salma Hayek is the dramatic force behind Frida. She brings Frida Kahlo to life with enormous energy that some people might not expect. You can't help but fall in love with her. She transforms herself from the careless girl into the struggling artist. Salma Hayek is more radiant than ever. I am sure of one thing - her spectacular performance will earn her an Oscar nomination. Always present in Salma's Frida is her longing for Mexico.

Julie Taymor and Salma Hayek have truly succeeded in capturing the essence of Frida Kahlo's art - both visually and emotionally. Frida is not only celebrating the life of Frida Kahlo, it is also a celebration of Mexico. Frida is probably one of the best biopics ever made, and if your a fan of Frida's work, Salma's work, or just any movie with great script, fine directing and fantastic performances, then go and watch this movie, as it fill those criterias and even surpasses anyone's judgment of this wonderful film.