kiss of the spider woman: 1985.

One of the main points of contention in the 1985 film adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman is the character of Molina. Manuel Puig was displeased with William Hurt’s portrayal, and I have to admit that I agree. While I think Hurt did a fine job, the casting itself was wrong.

The back of Puig’s novel describes Molina as “older”. This works in the text because it gives the character further vulnerability: not only is he gay, he is getting older and his years for fulfilling dreams, living his own life, and finding love are numbered. I believe this vulnerability helps trigger Valentin’s desire to be with Molina, as if to take care of him in some way. Additionally, having Molina be an older character would have his maternal instincts towards his waiter friend and Valentin make sense. He fantasizes about the waiter coming to live with him and his mother so he can take care of him. He nurtures Valentin during his illness. This instinct of Molina’s struck me as being more of a mother-child relationship than friends or lovers.

William Hurt is simply too young in the movie to add this complexity to the character. He is vibrant, seemingly in the best years of his life—walking in his gold jacket with pride.