I generally find biopics fairly boring, and "Frida" is no exception. Their makers always seem to think that an examination of the person will illuminate the art they produced, and they almost never do. Maybe because art comes from such a deep, personal place in each individual that a filmmaker can't get at the source.
Salma Hayek is fine as Frida Kahlo, but it takes more than an artfully applied mono-brow to add up to a compelling performance. Alfred Molina does fine in the acting department, but honestly, Molina is so physically repellent in this movie that I found it difficult to tolerate him.
Stage director Julie Taymor showed an uncharacteristic amount of restraint in bringing this story to the screen.
Grade: B-
Salma Hayek is fine as Frida Kahlo, but it takes more than an artfully applied mono-brow to add up to a compelling performance. Alfred Molina does fine in the acting department, but honestly, Molina is so physically repellent in this movie that I found it difficult to tolerate him.
Stage director Julie Taymor showed an uncharacteristic amount of restraint in bringing this story to the screen.
Grade: B-