Le Baiser de la femme araignée

This low budget film, set almost entirely in a single cell, is graced by a mesmerising Oscar-winning performance by William Hurt as an oversensitive homosexual man. (21/07/2002)

It doesn't happen very often that a Brazilian film makes an impact at the Oscars. Kiss of the Spider Woman succeeded in doing so at one point. This intimate drama about the unique relationship between two prisoners during the time of the Brazilian military dictatorship doesn't seem to offer much to the average viewer at first glance, as it mostly takes place in the claustrophobic space of a single cell. Political prisoner Arregui is one of those regime opponents who has given both the secret police and the prison administration a hard time. The young homosexual Louis appears to be susceptible to blackmail and manipulation, which is why he is placed in the cell as an informant. Hypersensitive Louis escapes from the inhospitable and stressful environment of the cell into a world of dreams and fantasies in the style of cheap kitschy films from the 1930s and 1940s. Both men gradually find their way to each other despite their personality differences, and a special kind of friendship develops. The film's success and its emotional impact on viewers is largely due to William Hurt's concentrated and outstanding performance as the effeminate Louis, for which the actor even received an Oscar. In addition to the touching story of friendship and sacrifice, the surreal excursions into the intoxicating world of melodramas full of pathos and sentiment impress me personally. Overall impression: 90%. (06/02/2015)

A peculiar film that despite everything has an interesting plot that will definitely captivate you. Although it's actually a big mess, thanks to William Hurt, it works perfectly until the end, both when the story is being narrated and when the actual events are unfolding. A strange film, but strangely beautiful. (07/01/2016)