Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Hector Babenco

Writers:

Manuel Puig (novel)
Leonard Schrader (writer)

Release Date:

26 July 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Luis Molina and Valentin Arregui are cell mates in a South American prison. Luis, a homosexual, is found...

Plot Keywords:

Political | Homosexual | Prison | Homophobia | Jail

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 10 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

William Hurt	...	Luis Molina
Raul Julia	...	Valentin Arregui
Sonia Braga	...	Leni Lamaison / Marta / Spider Woman
José Lewgoy	...	Warden
Milton Gonçalves	...	Secret Policeman
Míriam Pires	...	Mother Molina
Nuno Leal Maia	...	Gabriel, Molina's friend
Fernando Torres	...	Americo
Patricio Bisso	...	Greta
Herson Capri	...	Werner, Leni's German lover and Chief of Counter-Intelligence in movie fantasy
Denise Dumont	...	Michelle, Leni's best friend in movie fantasy (as Denise Dummont)
Antônio Petrin	...	Clubfoot, Resistance fighter in movie fantasy
Wilson Grey	...	Flunky, Resistance fighter in movie fantasy
Miguel Falabella	...	Lieutenant
Walter Breda	...	Agent #1

Also Known As:

O Beijo da Mulher Aranha (Brazil)

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

Brazil | USA

Language:

English | Portuguese

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:14 (Ontario) | Argentina:18 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Australia:M | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Praça da Sé, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Company:

FilmDallas Pictures

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of the musical "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" opened at the Broadhurst Theater in New York on May 3, 1993, ran for 904 performances and won the 1993 Tony Awards for the Best Musical, Book and Score.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Luis Molina: She's... well, she's something a little strange. That's what she noticed, that she's not a woman like all the others. She seems all wrapped up in herself. Lost in a world she carries deep inside her.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Sordid Lives (2000)

Rewarding movie.

***1/2 out of ****

Exceptional, daring movie about a homosexual prisoner and a politically driven prisoner, who come to terms with their differences and start a friendship. William Hurt is brilliant as the homosexual prisoner, who's only escape from his sad reality is to talk about an old movie he once saw. Raul Julia is every bit as good as the tough as nails, political revolutionary. The direction is good, too.