This is a worthwhile biographical film concerning one of the most significant American painters of the 20th century. I'm not particularly knowledgeable about Mexican painting, but I don’t believe I am overstepping if I suggest that Frida Kahlo stands out as the most internationally recognized and well-known artist from Mexico, the foremost figure among Mexican painters. She was labeled a surrealist, though she didn't really agree with that description because her work wasn't about dreams. I share her perspective: what remains for us in her powerful and dramatic canvases is an account of her life—what she experienced, how she felt, and what she observed. Kahlo’s paintings appear straightforward. She wasn’t a product of formal training from an expensive and refined institution. Her art was driven by feeling, a style entirely her own, not a copy or an attempt to emulate any school or master. She painted with simplicity, emotion, and drama, in what could be described as a “naïf” style. She had a turbulent marriage to the painter Diego Rivera, but despite his technical skill, he doesn’t measure up to her because he lacks the emotional depth and sincerity that characterize her work; instead, it's filled with political activism. I find Rivera's art flawed by its constant promotion of communist ideology—art and propaganda are separate things, even if they can coexist. The film, directed in a stylish and skillful manner by Julie Taymor, offers an exploration of the artist’s life from her youth until her death. It begins shortly before she suffered the accident that would impact her health for the rest of her days (a detail the film omits—and it's unfortunate—is that she had polio as a child). The story centers on her relationship with Rivera and, later, her affair with Leon Trotsky, who was in exile. However, as the film makes clear, Kahlo identified as bisexual and engaged in numerous extramarital relationships with both men and women, much like her husband, who also had many lovers. I would venture to say this is among Salma Hayek’s strongest cinematic achievements so far. The actress delivers a compelling, intense performance full of personality. Alongside her, Alfred Molina also provides a strong and charismatic portrayal. Geoffrey Rush, an actor who rarely disappoints, wasn't as impressive in his depiction of the exiled Russian revolutionary. I found him unconvincing, and their romantic connection felt contrived, more like a fleeting fancy than a genuine attraction between them. The film includes brief appearances by António Banderas, Edward Norton, and others, but these were poorly utilized and ultimately inconsequential. From a technical standpoint, the cinematography is particularly noteworthy, displaying considerable creativity; for example, the scenes in the Aztec ruins or that hospital sequence, which uses animation reminiscent of Kahlo’s paintings. The integration of her artwork is exceptionally well done, allowing us to clearly see the link between her life and art. The soundtrack, featuring various pieces inspired by traditional Mexican music, works very effectively, and the recreation of historical periods and settings was also handled with great care and subtlety.

Source on TMDB