This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE

Hey Movie Buffs!

Alright, let’s get personal here. I’ve been a HUGE Frida Kahlo fan for, like, ever (I even own a Frida Tarot Deck 😄). I’m talking major admiration for her boldness, her unapologetic self-expression, and, of course, those magnificent self-portraits that scream ‘I am my own muse.’ So, it’s no surprise that “Frida,” the movie about this iconic artist’s tumultuous and vibrant life, has been on my must-watch list since forever. So I finally got around to watching it and whoa, guys — it’s not just a movie, it’s a full-on, technicolor journey through her life, loves, and art.

First up, let’s talk about Salma Hayek, who both produced and starred in this jewel. Can we say passion project? She IS Frida. From the moment she appears on screen, with that iconic unibrow and a cigarette hanging effortlessly from her lips, you know you’re in for a treat. Hayek isn’t just acting; she’s embodying Frida, living and breathing her fierce spirit and tumultuous emotions. It’s like she’s reached across time and space to bring Frida into the room with us.

And the movie doesn’t shy away from the rough parts, either. Frida’s life was like a soap opera penned by the art gods. There’s the trolley accident that would have sent anyone else to the sidelines, but not our Frida. Nope, she turns pain into art, literally painting from her bed. And then there’s the Diego Rivera saga – a love story with more ups and downs than a Coney Island roller coaster. Alfred Molina plays Diego, and the chemistry between him and Hayek is so palpable, it’s like they’ve been in a passionate love-hate relationship for years.

The film, directed by Julie Taymor, is visually stunning. It’s like someone took Frida’s paintings and splashed them across the moving canvas of film. We get these surreal, dreamlike sequences that feel like we’ve been invited into Frida’s mind for a private viewing of her thoughts. This isn’t just a biopic, folks; it’s a vibrant, visual tapestry that weaves Frida’s art with her life, blurring the lines so artfully that you’ll leave the movie feeling like you just walked through one of her exhibitions.

The supporting cast also kills it. With Antonio Banderas playing David Alfaro Siqueiros and Ashley Judd as Tina Modotti, we’re tossed into the middle of a burgeoning art revolution, with Frida at the center, of course. And did I mention the soundtrack? Because, yeah, the music is a character in itself, infusing every scene with that rich, Mexican soul.

But let’s not forget the emotional depth of the film. It doesn’t just focus on Frida’s physical pain and wild romance; it delves deep into her political passions, her complex relationship with her own identity, and her never-ending battle to live on her own terms.

Okay, so it’s not perfect. Some critics say the film glosses over certain aspects of her life and oversimplifies complex historical contexts. But hey, no film can cover everything, and what “Frida” does deliver is done with such flair and vividness that you can forgive the biopic-ness of it all.

In conclusion, “Frida” isn’t just a movie to watch; it’s an experience. It’s like diving into a painting and finding out it’s a pool with no bottom. For anyone who’s into art, history, or just a story of a person who grabs life by the maracas and shakes it for all it’s worth, this is your jam.

So, I finally got to tick this one off my movie bucket list, and let me tell you, it was every bit as inspiring and emotionally charged as I’d hoped. If you haven’t seen “Frida” yet, do yourself a favor: grab some popcorn, maybe a tequila (make it a double), and give it a watch. I promise you, you’ll come out the other side with a new appreciation for this amazing woman.

Stay artsy,
Roger