Frida
is a picture that's been kicking around Hollywood for years. Madonna was even
attached at one point. In the end, this film has become a labor of love for Spanish
beauty Salma Hayek, and the actress will surely make waves with what is truly
her strongest work.
This
is the true story of Frida Kahlo, a famous Mexican artist who's work perfectly
showcased her pain. Frida is also an interesting love story featuring the volatile
yet loving relationship that blossomed between Kahlo and fellow artist Diego Rivera
(Alfred Molina).
Salma
Hayek is really spectacular in a performance that is both mentally and physically
challenging. She soars on both levels. And despite the much publicized uni-brow,
it is virtually impossible to make this beautiful actress unglamorous. She has
this vibrant, spunky aura about her that makes her inner beauty shine through.
This is certainly the strongest work she's done, and she will, no doubt, be taken
seriously as a dramatic actress after skeptics see her in this. Molina is also
spectacular as Frida's womanizing husband. While this easily could have been a
despicable character, Molina's charm and humanity, keep him from becoming a villain.
Frida is also filled with terrific bit parts from Edward Norton, Mia Maestro,
Patricia Reyes Spindola, Roger Rees, Valeria Golino, Ashley Judd, and an unrecognizable
Geoffrey Rush as a political activist.
The
screenplay is a bit spotty. We are given a glimpse into Frida's life from her
teenage years and on, but their are gaps in which lapses of time go by in a matter
of a couple of minutes. I also found it hard to truly feel sorry for Frida when
her husband would cheat on her because she chose to be with him. But then, sometimes
you just can't help who you fall in love with.
Theatre
director Julie Taymor (who also directed Titus) takes an innovative approach to
the material. Her theatric and ambitious take on certain moments reminded me of
Sam Mendes' American Beauty and Baz Luhrman's Moulin Rouge, and while some bits
feel a little over the top (most notably, Frida's nightmarish hospital entrance
early on in the film), Taymor captures the life of this tortured and respected
artist in unique fashion.
While
there are aspects of Frida's life left unexplored (her affection for members of
the same sex was just sort of there rather than explored), I found this movie
to be extremely interesting in it's depiction of a woman who painted from the
heart. It's also a gutsy exploration into one crazy and intense love affair.
