A beautiful film set in a jail cell where a political prisoner listens to tales told by his flamboyant roommate, Kiss Of The Spider Woman is a big story in a small world.
I remember watching Kiss Of The Spider Woman on tape as a teenager at my mom’s house. The new musical (of the same name) was going to be touring in 1995, and we wanted to be familiar with the story before watching the stage version. I recall enjoying both the film and the musical, but I haven’t seen it in 30 years now, so I thought it was time to revisit.
Kiss Of The Spider Woman is about Molina and Valentin, two men who are incarcerated for very different reasons, but being housed in the same jail cell. Molina is gay and was jailed for corrupting and underage youth, and Valentin is a political prisoner who is periodically taken out of the cell and beaten for information that he won’t give. To pass the time, Molina tells stories to Valentin and helps to keep his spirits up.
Based on the 1976 novel of the same name, Kiss Of The Spider Woman is an evocative film that takes you on a journey and leaves you with the feels. These strangers could not be more different, and yet they slowly develop an understanding for each other.
William Hurt is spectacular as Molina, with a feminine touch and a depth that you believe might be for show, but is ultimately a huge heart. He deservedly won the Academy Award and various other accolades for this role.
Raul Julia is the perfect counterbalance as Valentin, a serious and fiercely dedicated man who exudes masculinity and loyalty to what he holds so dear. He is excellent and just as magnetic on the screen.
Kiss Of The Spider Woman is modern and filmed in color, but the stories that Molina tells are in an old Hollywood black and white style. Interestingly, the same actress “stars” in several tales. It’s a great through line.
It is a tricky situation to create a film about two men who are in jail in the same cell for the better part of a film and keep it interesting, but even without the visual stories, the interactions between them are fascinating. They keep you engaged and wondering what might happen, what they might admit about themselves. These are two incredibly different strangers who are forced to be together, slowly getting to know each other, just as you are getting to know them. The figurative walls coming down inside the jail cell while the literal walls stay high. It’s truly a great dynamic.
Kiss Of The Spider Woman is an absorbing film that will keep you on your toes and interested, both in the characters and the storyline. It is not what you might expect, and that is the best kind of film.
Runtime: 120 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 4.25/5 Stars
Available: Free on Max, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
I remember watching Kiss Of The Spider Woman on tape as a teenager at my mom’s house. The new musical (of the same name) was going to be touring in 1995, and we wanted to be familiar with the story before watching the stage version. I recall enjoying both the film and the musical, but I haven’t seen it in 30 years now, so I thought it was time to revisit.
