Directed by Bill Condon, the musical drama film Kiss of the Spider Woman starring Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, and more is based on Terrence McNally, John Kander, and Fred Ebb’s stage musical of the same name. The stage musical was an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Manuel Puig, published in 1976.
The movie follows a political prisoner and a gay hairdresser sharing a cell during Argentina’s civil war in the 1980s. The two form an unlikely pair as the gay hairdresser recounts a Hollywood musical plot starring a classic screen actress. Kiss of the Spider Woman recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and the buzz for Jennifer Lopez for the Oscars is at its peak.
Jennifer Lopez starrer Kiss of the Spider Woman gets praises at the Sundance Film Festival
Jennifer Lopez walked the red carpet for the Sundance premiere of her latest movie, Kiss of the Spider Woman, in which she stars as Ingrid Luna, a classic actress. The actress donned a sparkling, webbed-up gown and sky-high black heels, giving a nod to her movie. Academy Award-winning veteran Bill Condon serves as the director of the movie and returned to the Sundance Film Festival at Eccles Center Theatre after 1998’s Gods and Monsters’ premiere.
Bill Condon is famously known for directing musicals including Dreamgirls, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, and more. According to Variety, he shared,
I came here 27 years ago. The experience of launching that movie here is something I’ll never forget. Kiss of the Spider-Woman is a movie I started thinking about all those years ago. It’s a movie I’ve wanted to make my entire life.
The publication mentioned that the movie was one of the buzziest to debut at the festival and is now seeking distribution. Tonatiuh, who stars as Luis Molina, mentioned that growing up as a fem, queer Latin kid in a culture that does not necessarily praise these things, he managed to fight his way and put the nails in people’s faces.
He added that when he got the material, he felt that he knew the person he was playing spiritually. Tonatiuh mentioned that he understands someone who feels like a loser in his or her own life and gets to be his or her own hero by falling in love.
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Early reviews have suggested that after the screening of the movie, Kiss of the Spider Woman not only received a massive round of applause from the audience but also a standing ovation. (Via THR)
People described that the veteran director let his characters shine through in every shot, with special mention for Lopez. The publication mentioned that Ingrid Luna might just be one of Lopez’s career-highlight performances.
Fans believe Kiss of the Spider Woman can earn Jennifer Lopez an Oscar nomination
Jennifer Lopez, post-screening and during the Q&A, shared with the audience that she has been waiting to star in a musical for a very long time. She also mentioned that she would’ve liked to have had a whole year to do a big musical like Kiss of the Spider Woman, but they didn’t have that. Deadline described Ingrid Luna as a character Jennifer Lopez was born to play.
The actress who was reportedly snubbed by the Academy after giving an exceptional performance in 2019’s Hustlers might just get her work recognized with Kiss of the Spider Woman. Lopez noted that portraying the character was challenging, but they all pulled it through.
Fans were also quick to share their views on Lopez’s performance in the movie. A user wrote, ‘J. Lo proving once again she’s a force to be reckoned with.’. Another user mentioned, ‘If Kiss of the Spider Woman’ truly taps into her range, it’s no wonder critics are calling it a role she was meant for.’
The user explained that the singer-actress is a versatile actress and continues to impress the audience and the critics. They added Ingrid Luna can be one of the iconic roles she has played. A lot of her fans were thrilled to witness that she has been praised for her work on-screen, especially her work in Hustlers, which was brushed under the carpet almost like it never existed.
IndieWire mentioned that Lopez is always more about her presence—her name on the marquee, her face under the big bright lights—than her skills in vanishing inside the character. Lopez was touched and teared up at the film festival, especially after watching people cheer for her.
If the actress earns her Oscar nomination, it’s going to be very significant for her, especially after Hustlers‘ snub. It’s also going to be her first Academy Award nomination.
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There are no dates for the movie’s theatrical release as of now.
Frequently asked questions
Who stars in Kiss of the Spider Woman and who directs it?
The musical drama is directed by Bill Condon and stars Jennifer Lopez as screen actress Ingrid Luna (the Spider Woman of the title), Tonatiuh as Luis Molina, and Diego Luna as the political prisoner Valentin. It adapts the stage musical by Terrence McNally, John Kander, and Fred Ebb, itself based on Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel.
What is Kiss of the Spider Woman about?
Set in early-1980s Argentina during the Dirty War, it follows a political prisoner and a gay window dresser who share a cell, with the window dresser escaping into the fantasy of a glamorous Hollywood musical that he recounts to his cellmate.
Could Kiss of the Spider Woman earn Jennifer Lopez her first Oscar nomination?
The article frames it as a possibility, not a certainty. After a standing ovation at its Sundance premiere, early reviews praised Lopez’s performance, generating Best Supporting Actress buzz that the piece suggests could finally bring her recognition after the Academy overlooked her for 2019’s Hustlers. No nomination has been confirmed.
