Customer Reviews

Kiss of the Spider Woman

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I remember liking this movie when it came out in 1985 but I had forgotten just how good this movie really is. William Hurt certainly deserved the Oscar he won for his portrayal of Molina, an effeminate sex offender-- he is always in character-- on the other hand, Raul Julia is wonderful as a political prisoner too. This film makes a thoughtful statement about both friendship and what being a man is really all about as well.

I can't remember when I have seen such a realistic film. You can almost smell and taste the awful prison food that these two men eat, for instance. The sex between the two men is handled with great delicacy. This is a really fine movie that troubled me long after I saw it again.

UPDATE!
City Lights Home Entertainment Secures North American Distribution Rights to Academy Award(R)-Winning Indie Classic ''Kiss of the Spider Woman''
Friday May 9, 4:15 pm ET
Available on DVD and Blu-Ray for the First Time
Special Collector's Edition Video Package will include never-before-seen footage and a full-length documentary: Tangled Web: Making Kiss of the Spider Woman
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--City Lights Home Entertainment has acquired DVD, digital and television distribution rights to Academy Award®-Winning Indie Classic Kiss of the Spider Woman. The feature film starring William Hurt, Raul Julia, and Sonia Braga, along with a surprising and never-before-seen feature length documentary "Tangled Web: Making Kiss of the Spider Woman", will be available on DVD, Blu-Ray and digitally for the first time in North America at a future date to be announced.
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"Kiss Of The Spider Woman", although an emotionally draining film, is a true classic. Right from the first scene, you feel the frustration of Valentin and Molina, both outcasts of society, yet for very different reasons. The acting is nothing short of extraordinary. William Hurt as the lonely homosexual, Molina, the late Raul Julia as the stern, but deeply caring political prisoner, Valentin, and Sonia Braga [who takes on three different roles, including the title role, and plays them all brilliantly], are what make this film so great. Although Hurt deservingly won the Oscar for Best Actor, the same consideration should have been given to Julia and Braga for their contribution, as they were both nothing short of incredible. Why this great film is not out on DVD is a mystery in itself. If you've seen it, see it again....if you haven't, I highly recommend you do.

Based on the classic play this film tells the story of friendship, fantasy, love, loss, and betrayl. Set in a foreign prison. Two individuals--a gay man (William Hurt) and str8 man (Raul Julia)form a bond that opens the world of the mind and fantasy to escape the physical realm of their prison walls. Sadly this bond is just a facade to illicit government espionage and secrets.

This film was surely a head of it's time. Some might compare this to a "Brokeback Mountain" style of film. If you are squemish about a film dealing with homosexual aspects this film is perhaps not for you. Even though the film and the story is more mulit-layerd with drama and subtext to be labeled a "gay" film.

The acting performances are incredibly powerful and heart wrenching. Sadly, Raul Julia is no longer alive, but this is a fantastic example of his dramatic ability, when so many are familiar on a larger scale of viewer with his performance as Mr. Addams in ADDAMS FAMILY and ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES. William Hurt does not portray a "typical" gay man for laughs or mocking purposes or explotation. His performances goes much deeper than that.

This film explores how we all can be manipulated by kindness and love when are at our most low and vulnerable place in our life. We all have a choice to merciful and kind, or deceptive to reach our own means. Which eventually backfire on us in eventual time.

I highly suggest reading the play before seeing this film. It might help in understanding.

This is an Oscar winning film and very much so.

Buy it and await the visit and fatal KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN. Will be one to enter this web of complex dimensions. Devout film lovers take note, this should be on your list.

Why is this film not on video or DVD? Think back to 1985. This was one of the biggest films of the year. Did you ever read a bad review of it?

William Hurt won Best Actor at the Oscars, BAFTA and Cannes for this film! It was nominated for Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay Adaptation!

Come on FOX, get your act together and release it!

Captivating film with amazing performances that really holds your attention. William Hurt deserved his Oscar, and the late Raul Julia was just as good. The two actors portray prison inmates who gradually begin to accept one another, as Raul Julia's character slowly abandons his prejudices for William Hurt's flamboyantly homosexual film buff, whose method of escape from the harsh prison is to talk about, in detail, his favorite Nazi propaganda film.

Superbly directed and acted, I ultimately felt that it was too short, and that it felt extremely rushed at times. I would have like a little more development of the characters as well. There was also one pivotal scene that felt extremely forced and unrealistic, in terms of character.

Other than that, it is definitely worth a look. I'd recommend this one strictly for film buffs who can handle the subject matter.

well, i must say after seeing this movie several times, i am still in awe. the intertwining stories of both { the great raul julia, such a loss} and the wonderful hurt, truly puts you right into the journey each character endures. i read of the intense work mr hurt did to prepare for the role, and it shows brilliantly. showing through very difficult conditions, two totally opposite life spectrum's learning and understanding can be met. though not conceding completely they both walk away thoroughly different and changed people. the reality and fantasy were incredibly executed here, and even those of us who relish the idea of figuring it out will be tested. well deserving of the oscars and all awards nominated and won. i love a good story and especially when you walk away learning life long understanding, which is not allways acheived in the movie business. A+

The movie made me wanted to read the novel in original language. Atmosphere is Latino IMO. It talkes a little while for Asian to get accustomed to all cultural background. Gradually, human's perplexed nature, complicated conceptions and assimilation of mutual recognition appeared to proof its universality. Must be older and have social life experience to understand this cross-identity story.
The DVD version for collection must sell well in the market of the 'baby boom generation'.

Magnificent acting, Splendid direction, Great conclusion. If only you could offer it in Region 4 (Viewable in Mexico), I'd order it in a split second. Please, please, do your best to get it in Region 4 format.

Thank you.

'Kiss of the Spider Woman' is one of my personal favorite movies. It is a great character study of two prisoners, an intellectual and homosexual, who pass their time by telling stories of their lives and recalling favorite films. William Hurt and Raul Julia give awesome performances, and by the end of the movie, I was feeling for both of them as though they were real people. An AWESOME AWESOME movie.

I found the relationship between William Hurt and Raul Julia's characters to be deeply moving. I was drawn into this movie because of the humanity which these two actors bring to their roles, there is something very beautiful in the way they learn from one another.