DVD Review: Frida (B)

Frida (2002)
Directed by Julie Taymor
Starring Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush, Mia Maestro
MPAA: R
Grade: B

Review by Scott Standish

The life and times of Frida Kahlo are vibrantly brought to life with this acting tour de force by Salma Hayek. Well acted and perfectly directed, this is a fine biographical movie.

Frida tells the story of one of the most under appreciated artists of all time. Kahlo was a talented and vibrant painter and activist that was often overshadowed by her more critically lauded husband Diego Rivera. However, as time passed, Frida's work gained in popularity and today her work is widely regarded as extremely influential.

The love affair between Frida and her philandering husband Diego is the main focus of this film and the chemistry between the main actors (Hayek and Molina) is wonderful. Their deep love for each other is obvious, yet the two fought throughout their years together.

Frida features a nice performance by Geoffrey Rush as Leon Trotsky, one of Kahlo's lovers. Mia Maestro does a nice turn as Frida's lonely sister and what can we say about Salma here that hasn't already been said by critics around the world: she is fantastic as Frida Kahlo, a role that she was born to play.

One half love story and one half artist biography, Frida is an excellent movie with some fantastic performances.

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