Kiss of the Spider Woman
It is 1983 and a military dictatorship threatens any Argentinian citizen which opposes it. Jailed political activist Valentín Arregui (Diego Luna) is initially annoyed when the flamboyantly gay and chatty Luis Molina (Tonatiuh, TV's 'Vida,' "Carry-on") is shoved into his cell, but Luis eventually wins him over by entertaining him with a serialized retelling of his favorite movie, "Kiss of the Spider Woman."
Laura's Review: B
Writer/director Bill Condon ("Gods and Monsters") adapts Terrence McNally's musical based on the novel by Manuel Puig. The novel was adapted before by Hector Babenco in 1985 with William Hurt winning the Best Actor Oscar for his Luis Molina and while Tonatiuh may not achieve the same rewards for his portrayal, Condon has surely put the actor, who resembles a younger Oscar Isaac, on the map.
Both he and Diego play multiple characters as both are transported into Luis' cinematic fantasy along with Jennifer Lopez in the Sonia Braga/Chita Rivera role as the actress Ingrid Luna who portrays a blond Aurora and brunette Spider Woman in the film-within-the-film. At first Valentin hides behind his book, irritated and demanding quiet as Luis tapes movie posters to the wall beside his bunk, installs a beaded curtain and continues to chatter. He offers food sent by his mother, but Valentin replies he's fine with the prison food. Sadistic guards slide open the metal bar which obscures their view into the corridor to display a badly beaten man to Valentin who excoriates Luis when the man makes a lame joke to relieve the tension, a turning point, perhaps, as Luis apologizes and begins to consider reality.
That includes a revelation we will learn - but Valentin will not - when Luis is brought to warden Oscar Ledesma's (Bruno Bichir, "Sicario: Day of the Soldado") office, something which will require Luis to walk a delicate balance to protect the man he is beginning to love. As Valentin witnesses Luis' treatment by the homophobic guards, he will instill a sense of dignity in Luis, encouraging him to stand up for who he is.
Condon transports us from the dismal, dank stone cell into a technicolor fantasy where fashion editor Aurora's closest male relationship is with her gay assistant Kendall Nesbit (Tonatiuh), at least until she hires tall and handsome photographer Armando (Luna), who convinces her to feature the 'ordinary people' and vibrant sights of her humble home town. While on location, the town is threatened by the gangster Johnny Desiderio (Driton 'Tony' Dovolani, 2004's "Shall We Dance?"), who has taken up with Armando's former girlfriend Paulina Paz (Aline Mayagoitia). But Aurora's growing attraction to Armando is threatened not only by the sacrifice demanded by the titular Spider Woman but an unexpected betrayal. Meanwhile, Luis' escapist story will parallel their own, the two growing closer, especially after Valentin is tortured and later poisoned. Valentin eventually responds by tenderly caressing Luis' face, which leads to lovemaking and post-coital euphoria.
While the extravagant costumes and song and dance numbers play to Lopez's strengths, too often the effort peaks through, draining some of the scenes of their spontaneity. She's fine, but the film is more alive within the prison cell, Tonatiuh's emotionally devastating performance the film's heart and soul. Luna has the less flashy role, a slow retreat from ideology towards humanity as he reconsiders the good and compassionate man he shares close quarters with and who, just like in his movie, will make the ultimate sacrifice out of love. We'll also witness the effect Valentin has had on Luis after he is released and returns to care for his beloved mother (Lucila Gandolfo), Tonatiuh soundly rejecting the married man, Gabriel (Augusto Gordillo), who led him on for years.
Condon's made an emotionally satisfying adaptation, but the film's fantasy segments don't live up to its dark realities even with Luna failing to land the final scene's closing punch. But Tonatiuh soars throughout, "Kiss of the Spider Woman's" breakout star.
Roadside Attractions releases "Kiss of the Spider Woman" in theaters on 10/10/25.
