The first independent feature film ever to receive Oscar nominations in four of the five top categories (Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor), this glossy adaptation of Manuel Puig's well-regarded novel wasn't a big box-office success upon its initial release in 1985, but Kiss of the Spider Woman has acquired a sterling reputation in the years since. William Hurt won the film's only Academy Award for his stirring portrayal of Molina, a gay man locked in a South American prison for molesting a young boy. His cellmate, Valentin (Raul Julia), is a professional journalist jailed for his radical opposition to the prevailing fascist regime. The story focuses on Molina's overpowering escapism, which moves him to daydream endlessly about old movies, a character trait that Valentin finds annoying, but eventually comes to terms with in a stunning climax. Hurt's performance is brilliant, while Julia is consistently strong as the idealistic reporter. Hector Babenco's direction is polished to a smooth sheen in a deliberate attempt to emulate the slick Hollywood fare central to his protagonist's fantasies. Presented with a new digital transfer (which is grainy, but still looks better on Blu-ray than it ever has before, even if it's hardly a showcase for the format), DVD/Blu-ray extras on this collector's edition include a fine feature-length “making-of” documentary, as well as three shorter featurettes, a trivia track, a press kit (with review excerpts, etc.), and photo galleries. Highly recommended. (E. Hulse)
Kiss of the Spider Woman: Collector's Edition
City Lights, 2 discs, 120 min., R, DVD: $34.98, Blu-ray: $39.98 Volume 23, Issue 6
Kiss of the Spider Woman: Collector's Edition
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