Frida (2002)

Great Film overall

Good concept, poorly executed.

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Watching Salma Hayek as young Frida did not help for a good start. She was really unconvincing. Overall I am not impressed with her acting and character. She, or more likely the director, failed to show Frida's ambitions, ideology and pain. We are reminded her having! ambitions through her 30-second dialogs with her father but never explaining what they are. We are reminded that she is in constant pain through her saying that she is a bunch of times but we never see it. She is depicted as a ever joyful, sexy woman, who is not a great artist but a spoiled and radical housewife. The Frida shown in the paintings throughout the movie and the Frida they have created are two completely different persons. Also the politics they somehow focused and spear a lot of time do not have any ground for the viewer.It is unfortunate that a movie inspired by a great artist, with such powerful cast is this unappealing.

I have to say, this movie was very well done with Salma Hayek playing as the Mexican uni-brow artist Frida. Before watching this movie, I never heard of Frida but all my life, I've seen the painting she did of herself. Now in 2017, I finally got the chance to find out more about Frida and the story behind the paintings she did while she was alive. Honestly, she died so very young at 47 and it was so sad in the end of this movie, she wasn't able to get out of bed. At least she got to see her exhibition and be able to chat to people before her passing. The bus accident didn't really help her poor body and I suppose the surgeries then weren't as effective as they are now. Salma Hayek was the perfect actress to be playing as Frida and she even looked like her! One of the best roles shes ever done hands down!

It's 1922 Mexico City. Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek) is a rebellious student who is intrigued with artist Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina). She is severely injured in a trolley accident and left bedridden with lifelong pains. She regains her ability to walk. Diego takes an interest in Frida's work. They get married and begin a passionate complicated relationship. She befriends his jealous ex Lupe Marín. He constantly cheats on her. Their son dies in childbirth. She starts having affairs with both men and women including communist icon Leon Trotsky.I really love the first hour. Her accident, her recovery and their courtship are all very compelling. Then the second half kind of move on and on and on. The problem is that he's such a slut. He never really demonstrates his love for her. I guess there is dependence or codependence. It's not that appealing. He's horrible and it doesn't put her in a great light either. It needs to illuminate her or her art more than what the movie gives.

*Spoiler/plot- Frida, 2002, Story about an exceptional woman who lived a full life. Frida Kahlo that came from upper middle classes earns fame as a talented artist with a unique vision of her county and life. She has an long relationship & marriage with her art mentor, Diego Rivera, taking her life through numerous affairs, connections with the Communist party of the 20's, and world travel to Europe and the USA.*Special Stars- Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush, Roger Rees, Antonio Banderas, Ashley Judd, Edward Norton.*Theme- People should let their own uniqueness influence their art and creativity.*Trivia/location/goofs- Mexican, 2 Oscars, Filmed entirely in Mexico with Mexican crews. The whole film was digitally color corrected at 2K resolution, so colors would pop-off the screen. The DVD has extensive 'extra features' that are helpful to see and put context to the film's roles.*Emotion- A visually delicious film of and about Mexican life in the 20s & 30s with the politics and art world. The film covers many aspects of the female artist's life and loves. Despite the questionable morals and politics of this film's characters, it was a treat for the eyes and your mind. It's very unforgettable for the film viewer to experience.