Kiss of the Spider Woman
Collector's Edition
This groundbreaking film (the first independent ever to receive the top four Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Director for Hector Babenco), adapted for the screen by Academy Award nominated screenwriter Leonard Schrader from Manuel Puig's novel set in a non-specific Latin American country, takes a penetrating look at the role of sex and politics under an oppressive right-wing regime. The timeless story, more relevant today than ever, follows the complex relationship between two distinctly different men with opposite views about life - building with powerful emotional crescendo as they gradually come together in a stunningly transcendental conclusion. Hurt delivers his Oscar-winning performance in this captivating tribute to the power of film and fantasy as escape from inhumane conditions.
Member Reviews
Great acting work - Poet
William Hurt and Raul Julia really carry this movie on their backs since the whole thing is very character-driven. It's a movie that requires a lot of focus on the viewer's part, but it is well worth the effort. Compelling story about two very different men who share a prison cell, thus they get to know each other. They are played against each other, will friendship conquer all?Creative - zaakistan
A prison drama with a fantasy element delivers surprising depth.
Somewhere in Latin America, Luis shares a cell with Valentin a political prisoner. Luis is a flagrant homosexual who despite repulsing Valentin, is able to entertain him with stories of a bewitching spider woman. Luis is bribed to spy on Valentin by the warden and the tension mounts as the viewer is teased by the possibility that Luis would give up his cell mate to the secret police for his own freedom.
The acting in the film is compelling and the simple story is overshadowed by real human drama. I must say that the dream sequences and story telling is a bit out there and difficult to correlate with the main tale.Great acting - ivarknut
William Hurt and Raul Julia are excellent in this movie about two prisoners in South America. The movie is mostly set inside a small prison cell and shows the main characters getting to understand each other better. They start to share a common bond, meanwhile there are things happening behind one of their backs but I won't spoil what will happen.
The only thing ruining this movie is the pathetic acting by anyone except the two main characters. Thankfully, there aren't many scenes with the other actors in them.
Member Reviews
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Great acting work - Poet
William Hurt and Raul Julia really carry this movie on their backs since the whole thing is very character-driven. It's a movie that requires a lot of focus on the viewer's part, but it is well worth the effort. Compelling story about two very different men ...Creative - zaakistan
A prison drama with a fantasy element delivers surprising depth.
Somewhere in Latin America, Luis shares a cell with Valentin a political prisoner. Luis is a flagrant homosexual who despite repulsing Valentin, is able to entertain him with stories ...Great acting - ivarknut
William Hurt and Raul Julia are excellent in this movie about two prisoners in South America. The movie is mostly set inside a small prison cell and shows the main characters getting to understand each other better. They start to share a common bond, meanwhile ...