Frida

Not a bad movie but no a great movie either. Frida tries very hard to find a compromise between the simplistic American version of Mexico and Latin America and the real complexities of Frida Khalo's life, art and times. Too many "gringo" stereotypes. At times I felt like watching Evita part II!!! It was kind of awful to hear main characters speaking with a thick latino accent dotted with scattered Spanish words. Probably to pass a hint to the audience that they were actually speaking in Spanish. However, I could not avoid to think of chicano gang members speaking in spanglish. Music also was a strange blend of Argentinian, Colombian and Mexican melodies and rhythms. "Magic Realism", a basic ingredient in new wave Latin American literature and art, was introduced rather shyly and childish with those nice (I have to admit) living paintings, the New York living collage and the coloured black and white Parisian scenes. From my standpoint the best of this film was the short appearance of Geoffrey Rush (aka Trovsky) great acting indeed!!! And also the evocative scene of the colourful Mexican dress hanging outside a window from Frida and Diego's NY apartment whilst the snow is falling.