Frida
Frida is the story of an intellectual painter, a Mexican woman called Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) who was in many ways a revolutionary herself. Frida was a free spirit who liked to go against the conventionalisms of her time and society (the Mexico of the beginning of XX century) so she dressed up as a man, and danced with other women and had Communist ideas.
Two events marked her life: a car accident that forever left her with consequences (walking problems, internal pain, constant medical supervision) and meeting Diego Rivera, the famous Mexican muralist who is played by the always excellent Alfred Molina. Rivera was the man of her life, her husband, her best friend, her lover and her colleague.
I must confess that I did not know much aout Kahlo before this movie and the little I knew was only a few references of her work I had when I last visited the States since she is known not only in Mexico but also in the south of the United States.
Hayek made a wonderful job not only acting as Frida, the tribulations she suffered and the intensity with which she lived her life but also she offers a powerful picture of a woman who tried and ecven fought to be herself. Alfred Molina as Rivera also is wonderful in being the complex man Rivera was. These two people loved each other but also clashed quite often and that was another result of the feelings they had for one another.
I particulary liked the special effects when real life becomes Frida's painting indicating that great part of the film is actually inspired in Kahlo's paintings as if they were telling the story themselves as well.
A movie of consistent quality, worth of your time, though not one to see with your little kids.
Five stars out of five for this one.
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