Click here for the review of Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)

Part of the "1980s" series.

I have to admit, I'm slightly saddened that there's no mention of 'Pixote' here, being Babenco's credentials after making that masterpiece probably greased the wheels to this film's completion.


Nevertheless, excellent review. I actually want to see the film now, whereas before my interest was tepid. It seemed like the film had potential for a great deal of technical seams, what with it's alternating narratives and lower budget.

My parent once told me about how they saw this film at a theater because they were expecting to actually see the titular spider woman, which didn't appear until near the end of the film. It was kind of an amusing story. I think that I may add this to my list of must-sees now that James has reviewed it.

It's strange: I remember seeing this movie when it came out (based on effusive reviews by Siskel and Ebert). I remember enjoying the performance of Raul Julia, and after this I made an effort to see almost any film he was in. I remember a bunch of dark scenes in a prison cell. But other than that, I couldn't remember anything else about this movie if my life depended on it. It's odd how certain movies, even if they're well done, simply make no lasting impression in your memory. I don't know, perhaps this film, despite its many strengths, just didn't make an emotional connection with me.

Reading this review I was reminded of a story a co-worker once told me.

He apparently had a friend who was some kind of prison guard. The inmates had the opportunity to order movies to watch occassionally, but they were generally ignorant of what was out there, and they had to rely on movie titles to get a hint of what the movie might be about. Kiss of the Spider Woman sounded like a movie about some hot woman.

Little did they realize it was about guys in prison.

This movie impressed me the first (and till now the last) time I saw it: I was speechless en depressed for the rest of the evening. Haven't had that feeling anymore.

Wim

I would suggest you NOT watch THE WAR ZONE... To date, that is the most emotionally wrenching movie I have seen. It took a long time to shake it, and I first saw it during a film festival.

I'd personally lean towards Requiem for a Dream as the most difficult film I've seen. The War Zone was also tough to watch but not nearly as much (for me personally at least).

The following is said with all due respect to James, who has made many substantive arguments regarding both of the aforementioned films.


For me, 'Grave Of The Fireflies' defeats both films handily in terms of both quality and impact. I've never actually reacted to 'The War Zone' in a visceral manner. It's every bit as good in my opinion as James says it is, but I'd argue it's nowhere near as traumatizing, and occasionally

Admittedly, 'Requiem For A Dream was tough for me the first viewing, but ever since my reaction to the film has been one of complete boredom - upon more thoughtful examination, 'Requiem For A Dream' has a (RELATIVELY) optimistic outlook disguised by flickering lights and human suffering.

I'd say the most shattering and unrelentingly painful experience I've ever had with a film was 'Night And Fog', a 1956 Holocaust documentary that should not be viewed under any circumstance if you are suicidal, since,