Nate At The Movies

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.

After adding Kiss of the Spider Woman to my watchlist as Morgan and I were picking our Sundance movies earlier this year, I was kind of shocked to see that my local Regal theater was showing it this weekend! I also had no idea until yesterday that Kiss of the Spider Woman was a book, then a play, then a movie, then a musical, and finally the movie musical I went to see today. The story has clearly undergone a ton of changes, and my introduction to this story today was as mixed as nuts.

Though feeling wholly original in its setting and execution at the beginning, as I think back on the film and listen back to the music, many other movies and stories come to mind, whether it’s the political context of I’m Still Here, the sonic language of Sweeney Todd or The Phantom of the Opera (especially in “A Visit”), or the framing device of The Princess Bride or All That Jazz. That doesn’t mean this film was bad by any stretch, but it did continue to feel less and less unique.

I was delighted, though, by a number of moments, songs, and performances, and Jennifer Lopez is the best place to begin. Her singing and dancing was wonderful, though I wasn’t as enamored by her acting as it seems like most others are. The best acting of the bunch—not to mention some great singing from him, too—came from Tonatiuh, who I hadn’t heard of before today but need to see more of very soon. He was so dramatically impressive, and his musical chops were evident as well.

The songs given to these actors were so-so overall, with a couple that could find their way into my rotation. Honestly, the best part of the music might be that little jingly theme that plays right at the beginning (and many times throughout)—that, or “She’s a Woman”.

The story was solid, though never as politically potent as the aforementioned I’m Still Here or authentically glitzy as the 30s and 40s movies that they were referencing, but I enjoyed and was surprised by the evolution of Valentín and Molina’s relationship. How their story paralleled the in-world Kiss of the Spider Woman was obviously its calling card, and that was satisfying to connect the dots on.

All in all, Kiss of the Spider Woman seemed like it should’ve been really great, but for one reason or another, the final product fell a bit flatter than I expected. Maybe it was the complicated and twisty story, maybe it was the surprising lack of intrigue in the fantasy sequences, maybe it was J-Lo’s acting. If I’m being fully honest, though, I’ve been listening to the soundtrack as I’m writing this review, and I’m kind of vibing. Maybe my true feelings on this movie will reveal themselves upon a second viewing. Who knows when that will be, though.