Review of Frida (2002) by Ryan H — 19 Nov 2010

The opener and dialogue starts out a little rough, but when it passes the introductions everything is great. Frida Kahlo's paintings have always brought a disturbing feeling on me ever since I first saw them in Spanish class sophomore year of high school, and it was great that Taymor cared about her enough to explain it well. At first I thought they were missing the mark. I wasn't sure why they were so strong in Frida and Diego's relationship, but it all becomes very clear. The set is always decorated beautifully. I'm not very well educated on Mexico in the 1920s, but the first party that Diego took Frida to seemed ahead of its time. Taymor does a great job bringing the story back around. For example, when Diego says he is going to leave we suddenly think of when the guy in the beginning left her to travel to Europe, and there wasn't any blatantly obvious dialogue to point this detail out. She actually treats her audience like they are smart! The montage in the end that includes her paintings was quite brilliant. There was no better way to wrap up the film. Alfred Molina was perfect as Diego Rivera, and Salma Hayek plays Frida so strongly that she truly becomes her character. I have never been so impressed with her acting before. Geoffrey Rush was also a great addition to the film. 2 problems with the casting: 1) Ashley Judd and 2) Edward Norton. I really did love this film, and I want to give it 4 1/2 stars, but I just can't because of the fact that they speak in English with Spanish accents, then actually have people singing in Spanish in the film. Frida and Diego spoke Spanish, so make them speak Spanish except when they would need to speak in English with the Americans! It really takes away part of the realism of the film. Other than that and the sloppy beginning, I think that Frida is an excellent film and is much stronger than Across the Universe.

Seeing Diego as King Kong was quite entertaining as well. The tragedy of Frida's life builds on and on, but she never gives up. She might be upset to no ends, but she wants to live a full life to the end. She has people carry her bed to her first exhibition in Mexico! A strong woman, and it's not only great to see her story, but also is important to see a strong female character like this in a film.