150 Word Review: 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' (1985)
Hurt locker
Two political prisoners share a dingy cell in the 1985 adaptation of Manuel Puig's novel, Kiss of the Spider Woman, directed by Argentine director Héctor Babenco. Both are victims of a cruel dictatorship in an unnamed South American country, one a journalist, played by Raul Julia, the other an openly gay man, named Molina. William Hurt won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of flamboyant Molina, who is vulnerable and compassionate, and passes his time behind bars performing his favorite movies from memory for Julia’s character.
The movie was daring for its time in its depiction of a man whose sexuality and gender identity are despised by the regime, and Hurt's performance is still tender. Julia, of course, is superb, a human thunderclap. This is a tragic two-hander between two stars who glow. In Kiss Of The Spider Woman, the secret police hunt those brave enough to be themselves.