Kiss of the Spider Woman

Composite Score: 82.97

Starring: William Hurt, Raul Julia, Sonia Braga, José Lewgoy, Nuno Leal Maia, Fernando Torres, Patricio Bisso, Herson Capri, and Denise Dumont

Director: Hector Babenco

Writer: Leonard Schrader

Genres: Drama, LGBT

MPAA Rating: R

Box Office: $17.01 million worldwide

Why should you Watch This Film?

                Kiss of the Spider Woman is the film adaptation of Manuel Puig’s novel of the same name. It follows the story of two cellmates in an Argentinian prison and the friendship that develops between them as they share stories with one another. The film stars William Hurt and Raul Julia as its leading characters and won William Hurt an Oscar for his portrayal of Luis Molina, an accused homosexual and implicitly transgender woman. The film’s explorations of friendship, the impact of storytelling, and the way that society treats outcasts have made it one of the best films ever made.

Why shouldn’t you Watch This Film?

                The character of Molina presents a complicated character study at the center of the film. On the one hand, he has been ostracized and imprisoned for being a homosexual – a very clear victim of legalized and weaponized bigotry. On the other hand, the film he describes to Valentin is clearly a Nazi propaganda film, and part of his prison sentence is for “corrupting a youth”, implying some bit of pedophilia going on. Not only do these pieces make him a problematic character, but they also make him a problematic representation of the LGBT community – someone who is aloof about the politics of the world because the world rejects him and a groomer to boot. There’s also the issue of William Hurt playing a queer Latino man topping the whole character off. It’s complicated and messy and I think probably gets handled with a bit more tact in modern cinema.

So wait, why should you Watch This Film?

                Problematic and complicated though he may be, William Hurt delivers a phenomenal performance as Molina. He brings a sense of wonder to the stories that Molina shares with Valentin. His characterization of Molina feels every bit as fragile and tender, yet confident and collected, as the character needs to be. There is a tenderness and power in the performance that can be seen reflected in later, similar performances like Jared Leto’s Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club or Wilson Germaine Heredia’s Angel in Rent.

Supplementing Hurt’s performance is his opposite, Raul Julia as Valentin Arregui. Valentin puts up a strong front against Molina’s tenderness, resisting aid and connection because of his disgust at what he believes Molina to be. Julia’s performance is passionate and driven, just as the character is. He shines as his character develops and opens up in response to the repeated kindnesses shown to him by Molina. Finally, we are shown the desires and vulnerabilities that were present under the surface for the whole film, and Julia delivers them perfectly. Without Julia to play off of, Hurt’s performance certainly does not carry the weight that it does, nor does it win all the awards either I think. Hurt’s Molina might be the film’s ultimate focus, but Julia’s Valentin gives that focus a sense of direction and determination that it desperately needs.

                Two powerhouse performances carry the deeply complex and impactful story of Kiss of the Spider Woman from beginning to end, culminating in a film that deserves a place among the Greatest Films of All Time. Though the complexities regarding the characterization and casting of Molina keep me from giving this film a more shining recommendation, the film’s performances and themes definitely keep it worth watching. You can find this film currently on YouTube if you’d like to watch it.