Kiss of the Spider Woman Movie Review

Molina (William Hurt) and Valentin (Raul Julia) are cellmates in a South American prison. Only his fantasies of grade-Z Hollywood flicks keep Molina going over the long haul. At first, revolutionary Valentin disdains the gay Molina, but gradually, the Spider Woman (smoldering Sonia Braga) becomes absolutely real to them both. Hurt won an Oscar and Julia (1940–94) was equally deserving of a nomination as well. He was a thoughtful, charismatic actor of incredible range and, as I think of all the meaty roles he could have made his own well into the next century, I miss him terribly. Based on a novel by Manuel Puig and dynamically directed by Hector Babenco.

1985 (R) 119m/C BR William Hurt, Raul Julia, Sonia Braga, Jose Lewgoy, Milton Goncalves, Nuno Leal Maia, Denise Dumont; D: Hector Babenco; W: Leonard Schrader; M: John Neschling, Wally Badarou. Academy Awards ‘85: Best Actor (Hurt); British Academy Awards ‘85: Best Actor (Hurt); Cannes Film Festival ‘85: Best Actor (Hurt); Independent Spirit Awards ‘86: Best Foreign Film; Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards ‘85: Best Actor (Hurt); National Board of Review Awards ‘85: Best Actor (Hurt), Best Actor (Julia); Nominations: Academy Awards ‘85: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director (Babenco), Best Picture. VHS, LV, 8mm, Closed Caption