She possesses an aura of mystery and uniqueness. This striking quality is immediately apparent; she is not just any woman but rather an intriguing character who stands apart from the rest. As we eagerly anticipate the film’s October 10th release, the latest adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman has captivated audiences with its remarkable cast, featuring talents such as Diego Luna, Jennifer Lopez, and Tonatiuh, all under the direction of Bill Condon.
The official storyline for Kiss of the Spider Woman has been detailed by Artists Equity: “Valentín (Diego Luna), a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina (Tonatiuh), a window dresser convicted of public indecency. The two form an unlikely bond as Molina recounts the plot of a Hollywood musical starring his favorite silver screen diva, Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez).” This film draws inspiration from the Tony Award-winning stage musical, which is itself adapted from the poignant novel authored by Manuel Puig.
The first cinematic adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman premiered in 1985, featuring William Hurt in the role of Molina, Raul Julia as Valentin, and Sônia Braga portraying Leni Lamaison, a character that Lopez has taken on in this latest iteration. This original film not only garnered a nomination for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival but also led to Hurt winning the Best Actor award. His performance contributed to an Oscar victory in the same year that Kiss of the Spider Woman received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director (Héctor Babenco), and Best Adapted Screenplay. All three lead actors were also nominated for Golden Globes, underscoring the film’s critical acclaim.
In a recent review, our editor-in-chief Chris Bumbray experienced Kiss of the Spider Woman at the Sundance Film Festival this year, rating it a solid 7/10. He concluded his review with the assertion that “…The power of the story, which reflects grim, real-world events, isn’t diluted…It feels fairly commercial, even if, at its soul, it is a desperately sad story that doesn’t feel far removed from events that still happen all over the world forty years after the story is set.”
Kiss of the Spider Woman represents Artist Equity’s second significant release this year, following the cinematic debut of The Accountant 2. Additionally, their backed documentary, The Python Hunt, premiered at SXSW in March but has yet to secure a broader release following its debut.
What are your thoughts on the teaser for Kiss of the Spider Woman? Did you appreciate the original adaptation?
