The turbulent relationship of artistic revolutionaries Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera is explored in "Frida" a two hour biographic epic bound for Oscarville. Certainly Salma Hayek's firery potrayal of Kahlo, the heartfelt performance of Alfred Molina as Rivera and the masterful pacing and direction of Julie Taymor will be recognized next spring when the nominations come around.

Taymors visceral style and her willingness to blend the line of reality connects us to the paintings and passions that was Frida's world. Taymor smartly collaborates with other artistic visionaries who weave us into the artwork that "Frida" created. Taymor calls in animation pioneers the Brothers Quay to give us a nightmarish day of the dead filter that "Frida" sees when she first recovers from the trolley accident that would cripple and shape her life.

Production houses like Amoeba Proteus who helped give "Requiem for a Dream" its visual creepiness, give us scenes that place us in the paintings themselves, a dreamy interpretation of Frida's creative mind. Its moments like these that elevate "Frida" into something special. The movie brings us a new understanding and feeling for the art that Frida Kahlo created. We admire and wince at her unending endurance for tragedy and pain, which comes through in her art work.

The Cast and Crew of "Frida" deserve their walk down the red carpet, and its the sum of the elements that makes this movie great. The solid supporting cast includes Antonia Bandares, Ed Norton, Ashley Judd, to Geoffry Rush who all take second seat to the films compelling story.

In time for Day of the Dead, "Frida" opens this Friday, I encourage you to celebrate and share the life and times of "Frida".

For Movie Magazine this is Purple.

© 2002 - Purple - Air Date: 10/30/02