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I've read the biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera, and a lot of the movie came from the book. Like Frida Kahlo's artwork, the movie is visually stunning yet abhorrent to contemplate. Frida Kahlo's life was tragic in many ways, yet she defied odds to become a brilliant artist and immensely interesting person. Her stormy marriage to fellow artist Diego Rivera is depicted here, but the intricate complexity of the relationship is not played up as much as it should have been. The scene from Frida's childhood accident, when a bar nearly divided her in half vertically, is beautifully depicted (that's right, beautifully) with the use of gold dust in the scene. Here's the epitome of Frida--a car crash you can't look away from.
If I were to take a traditional view for and against Trotsky this film would be acceptable as depicting the partying type drunken attitudes and loose sexual values shown in this film, for the Trotskyite point of view the film would depict the human qualities of its characters from the Stalinist point of view it would reveal a narrative of its bourgeois characters as the not so serious revolutionaries: But from the Hollywood type perspective it is simply cheap propaganda and entertainment where everything becomes objectified as a commodity that in the revolutionary perspective is sold with a use value in a mythology rather than fact that traces the long thin line between soft pornography and film, where that industry never seems to ever reach the core of the subject matter as its creators most often exhibit the pallor of commercial film production that uses artistic techniques to gloss over their cheap commercial adventures that lacks a narrative in all its appearances of substance in bourgeois sentiment thinking and values that I rate as okay simply in thaat films on revolutionary figures are good not that those films are any good as shallow.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Producer & leading lady, Salma Hayek made sure this biography Mexico's most prominent woman artist reached the screen. Hayek playing the role of Frida Kahlo herself had to age 30 years onscreen. "Frida" delineates Kahlo's affluent youth in Mexico City. The true story reveals Frida had a close relationship with her traditional mother (Patricia Reyes Spindola) & deeply philosophical father (Roger Rees). What is usually missing in stories about Kahlo is that she suffered from the crippling Polio after effects. Other stories focus upon Kahlo's severe injuries from a city bus accident. The miracle of Kahlo's life is that much of her best art was created after the bus accident, during the period of her bed-ridden state. She created many dozens of paintings. After she was able to leave her bed, Frida had courage enough to present her masterpieces to legendary artist Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina)! Extremely impressed with Frida's art & with her, Rivera takes her on as his protege'. Little did Frida know that she'd become much more than a great Mexican artist when Diego & she met. Frida, like Diego, became a political revolutionary. The two became famous lovers. However, philandering Rivera traveled the planet painting murals & bedding his pick of the day. Kahlo's work remained obscure. Thus, Frida struck out to make her fame on her own.Read full review
This movie is packed with entertainment and educational punch.....let me recap my impressions: Superb photography with lush colors and complex compositions. Award-winning soundtrack from Eliot Goldenthal who has tastefully selected traditional, memory-evoking songs from Mexico's rich legacy to bring poignancy to this love story of two of Mexico's most renown artists. Expert, artful direction from Julie Taymor who believes in the use of low lighting to enhance dialog and mood. Latinos Salma Hayek (Frida Kahlo) and Alfred Molina (Diego Rivera) do a very credible job of portraying the deep and complex relationship experienced by Frida and Diego. Very special singing performances (in Spanish) from both Chavela Vargas (LA LLORONA) and Salma Hayek (LA BRUJA). The second disk is full of both background and historical information and is high-lighted by a charming take of a gorgeous and very nervous Salma Hayek singing under pressure to create the CD version of her movie song. The life of Frida Kaho merits investigation and this 2-DVD set is a wonderful place to begin.Read full review
I've seen this movie twice on TV and wanted my own copy! This is a wonderful movie about this strong woman who overcame many obstacles throughout her life at a time when women, particularly Latina women, faced profound oppression. The movie is beautifully photographed. The NY Post calls it a "visual FEAST". The casting (Salma Hayek as Frida, Alfred Molina as Diego Rivera) could not have been better suited. Their passionate personalities spark palpable chemistry on the screen. They provoked strong emotions in the viewer: I loved them, hated them, rejoiced with them, cried with them. I can't say enough good things about this movie. I'm so glad to have it in my home collection!
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