Frida (DVD, 2003, 2-Disc Set)

Producer & leading lady, Salma Hayek made sure this biography Mexico's most prominent woman artist reached the screen. Hayek playing the role of Frida Kahlo herself had to age 30 years onscreen.

"Frida" delineates Kahlo's affluent youth in Mexico City. The true story reveals Frida had a close relationship with her traditional mother (Patricia Reyes Spindola) & deeply philosophical father (Roger Rees). What is usually missing in stories about Kahlo is that she suffered from the crippling Polio after effects. Other stories focus upon Kahlo's severe injuries from a city bus accident.

The miracle of Kahlo's life is that much of her best art was created after the bus accident, during the period of her bed-ridden state. She created many dozens of paintings. After she was able to leave her bed, Frida had courage enough to present her masterpieces to legendary artist Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina)!

Extremely impressed with Frida's art & with her, Rivera takes her on as his protege'. Little did Frida know that she'd become much more than a great Mexican artist when Diego & she met. Frida, like Diego, became a political revolutionary. The two became famous lovers.

However, philandering Rivera traveled the planet painting murals & bedding his pick of the day. Kahlo's work remained obscure. Thus, Frida struck out to make her fame on her own.

If you are a fan of director Julie Taymor, then Frida will bring you a smile. This film was so great. It focuses on Frida Kahlo's life as well as her art. Salma Hayek delivers a powerful performance of the young artist and the movie was captivatingly interesting. The music gives the film a sentimental touch, and there were several playful scenes including a stop motion scene from the brothers Quay. A must see, I really appreciated seeing this film.

I've read the biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera, and a lot of the movie came from the book. Like Frida Kahlo's artwork, the movie is visually stunning yet abhorrent to contemplate. Frida Kahlo's life was tragic in many ways, yet she defied odds to become a brilliant artist and immensely interesting person. Her stormy marriage to fellow artist Diego Rivera is depicted here, but the intricate complexity of the relationship is not played up as much as it should have been.

The scene from Frida's childhood accident, when a bar nearly divided her in half vertically, is beautifully depicted (that's right, beautifully) with the use of gold dust in the scene. Here's the epitome of Frida--a car crash you can't look away from.

I've seen this movie twice on TV and wanted my own copy! This is a wonderful movie about this strong woman who overcame many obstacles throughout her life at a time when women, particularly Latina women, faced profound oppression. The movie is beautifully photographed. The NY Post calls it a "visual FEAST". The casting (Salma Hayek as Frida, Alfred Molina as Diego Rivera) could not have been better suited. Their passionate personalities spark palpable chemistry on the screen. They provoked strong emotions in the viewer: I loved them, hated them, rejoiced with them, cried with them. I can't say enough good things about this movie. I'm so glad to have it in my home collection!

Won 2 Academy Awards. Salma Hayek produced and starred as Frida Kahlo giving an awesome voice to one of the greatest felmale artists of the 20th century. Really brought to life all the emotion captured in paintings. Fantastic find for art lovers