Kiss Of The Spider Woman (2025)

Near the end of Argentina's state terrorism (1974-1983), a gay window dresser (Tonatiuh) shares a prison cell with a political dissident (Diego Luna). Initially hostile to the homosexual, the dissident listens to the movie obsessed fan's detailed description of the plot of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN starring his favorite actress (Jennifer Lopez). Based on the 1992 Tony award winning musical (songs by John Kander and Fred Ebb) by way of the novel by Manuel Puig (previously adapted in 1985) and directed by Bill Condon (GODS AND MONSTERS). Condon has jettisoned all the stage musical numbers done in the prison cell and instead has restricted the musical sequences to the movie musical fantasy which I think was a smart move. It's the movie musical sequences that stand out, Condon's affection for the traditional Technicolor musicals of the 1940s and 50s stand out in every frame. If you're not a musical lover, you'll probably prefer the "grittier" prison cell scenes but hey, this IS a musical after all. All three leads are very good. If the songs are merely serviceable (this coming from the tunesmiths of CABARET and CHICAGO) rather than terrific, they work just fine in the context of the film. The choreography of Sergio Trujillo is excellent. With Tony Dovolani and Josefina Scaglione.