The iconic role of Luis Molina, the gay prisoner with a fascination for Hollywood’s Golden Age in ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman,’ has historically been a career-defining part for actors. William Hurt secured his first Best Actor Oscar for the 1985 film adaptation by Héctor Babenco, and Brent Carver later won a Tony for the Broadway musical version. Now, in Bill Condon’s latest adaptation of the Broadway musical, Tonatiuh, a relatively new actor, delivers a standout performance that captivates audiences without relying on the film’s elaborate fantasy sequences. Originally a 1976 novel by Argentine writer Manuel Puig, the story explores the unlikely bond between Molina, a romantic dreamer, and Valentín, a Marxist revolutionary, as they share a prison cell during Argentina’s military dictatorship in 1983. The film oscillates between the grim reality of their confinement and the vibrant, MGM-inspired musical world of Molina’s imagination. Jennifer Lopez stars as the fictional screen siren Ingrid Luna, bringing glamour and energy to the musical sequences. Despite the visual splendor, the heart of the story lies in the evolving relationship between Molina and Valentín, whose contrasting personalities and ideologies create a compelling dynamic. Molina, portrayed with depth and nuance by Tonatiuh, is both a dreamer and a shrewd survivor, while Valentín, played by Diego Luna, grapples with rigid notions of masculinity and revolution. Condon, known for his work on ‘Dreamgirls’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ directs with a focus on simplicity in the musical numbers, allowing the choreography and performances to shine. Yet, it is the raw, emotional drama within the prison cell that truly resonates, making ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ a poignant exploration of love, identity, and survival.
Movie Review: Tonatiuh dances away with ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’
