The first movie I chose to review is Frida, the story of artist Frida Kahlo. Having seen and heard a lot of reviews on the movie, I was glad for the opportunity to watch it for a school project. Aside from the background story on how determined Selma Hayek was to make the dream of this movie become a reality, I would have to say the cinematography is what truly captured my initial attention. The fluidity of the colors and the direction are breathtaking.
Frida's life, though it was brief, was not dull. From the onset of polio early on, an accident on a crowded city bus (amazing film work!)that causes her great traumatic injuries in which she suffers pain all her life, to the love relationships in her life and her passion for expressing herself through art.
Frida's first meeting with her lifelong love, Diego Rivera, occurs in Mexico City in 1922. Diego quickly fades from her life, but they meet again. Because of the medical expenses from Frida's accident, which nearly took her life, Diego's financial support for her family later on proves to be invaluable. At first, it seemed as though that is really the only type of support he is capable of providing. In the end, his emotional support, even up to Frida's early death at 47 years old, proves as worthy.
Painting becomes a way for Frida to express the physical and emotional pain she endures from the accident. Throughout her life, the emotional pain increases as her love life with Diego becomes quite complex. Both Frida and Diego were known for their infidelity, but Diego cuts the deepest when he has an affair with Frida's sister, Cristina. The couple separates for a time, but ultimately Frida's devotion blinds her.
Though much of the film is focused on Mexico and its political unrest (Mexican Revolution), some of the story line takes the viewer to New York and Paris. Artist Leon Trotsky and his wife seek asylum in the Rivera household in Mexico when Trotsky is banished from Russia by Stalin. Infidelity reigns true when Frida now has an affair with Trotsky. Diego is rather aloof about his infidelity; almost knowing Frida will always be with him. Frida's actions are somewhat veiled but noticed. A dance scene with Ashley Judd as Frida's friend Tina leaves a lot to the imagination. It is quite tantalizing and provocative to say the least. Let's just say my husband enjoyed it thoroughly!
Due to the political times, the painting style of Frida and Rivera tended to come under question. The world was still adapting itself to expressionism, as it allowed the mind's eye to make it's own interpretation. One particular painting caught the eye of Nelson Rockefeller when Diego painted a mural in New York that included Stalin. Ultimately, the mural was destroyed, but Diego was a political man making a political statement.
Throughout the movie, the political climate continues to change. By 1936, Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler were all building their so-called empires. Both Frida and Diego's paintings became a part of the political and cultural changes, especially for the Mexican people. Frida's paintings reflected the color of the Mexican people and their culture, while providing an emotional background, which was usually hers. Diego painted cultural murals with political undertones on the walls of the University of Mexico. It was a new time for the Mexican people, and Frida and Diego used their talents to express their feelings, political stance, culture and passion.
Overall, I would give the movie a 4 on a scale of 0-5. I enjoyed watching the colorful life of Frida, which included her passion and pain.
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The Milagro Beanfield War
The Milagro Beanfield War is a movie from the late 80’s that came and went, quite unnoticed. To this day, it is one of my favorite movies. The message within the story is a lesson to be learned by everyone.
Set in the small fictional town of Milagro, New Mexico, the locals find themselves in a fight for their land and most of all, their culture.
The story focuses on a farmer named Joe Mondragon. While out in his bone-dry bean field, Joe accidentally breaks a water line. This water line begins to quench the thirst of the dry field. The problem with this scenario is that a wealthy land developer, Mr. Devine, owns the water line. Devine Land Development is in the process of developing a large recreation area called Miracle Valley.
Regardless of the wealth behind Devine, Joe is determined to keep the flow of water on his land to grow his beans – because it is rightfully his. What some would call the allure of prosperity from the riches of society, Joe believes the history of his family’s bean field is worth more.
So, the fight is on. Many of the townspeople feel that Joe is fighting a battle he can never win. Joe’s friend, Ruby Archuleta, believes in his stance and has faith in his perseverance. With as much determination as Joe, Ruby convinces the local newspaper writer to write a story on Joe’s battle. The editorial is written and Joe begins to find himself with people standing beside his battle for the bean field.
While Devine hires a lawman to politically, be it ethically or not, remove Joe from the whole picture, tempers and emotions continue to build within Milagro. Sadly, the eldest resident, Amorante, is inadvertantly shot by Joe while Amorante is defending the bean field in his own way.
Amorante lives (with the help from the story line’s friendly spirit of Joe’s father) and does not press charges against Joe. Due to the townspeople empathy for Joe’s cultural passion, Joe and Milagro win out against the conglomerate Devine.
On a scale of 0-5, I give The Milagro Beanfield War a 4.8. The passion behind the storyline deserves most of the points, and the cinematography is awesome. The direction of Robert Redford did not get the credit he deserved. I appreciated the opportunity to watch this movie yet again.