When I left the premiere of Bill Condon’s Kiss of the Spider Woman (review here) at Sundance earlier this year, the main question I had on my mind was “Who was that Tonatiuh guy?” I had never seen him before, but he delivers such rich, full-bodied performances as both Luis Molina and Kendall Nesbit, men who view male sexuality in very different ways, that he was unforgettable. When sharing the screen with a dazzling, showstopping Jennifer Lopez, Tomatiuh shone just as brightly.
Kiss of the Spider Woman is the latest adaptation of the 1976 Manuel Puig novel, previously adapted into an acclaimed 1985 movie with William Hurt, Sonia Braga, and Raul Julia, and a Tony-winning musical. The story follows a political prisoner played by Diego Luna, and a gay window dresser, who become more than friends while sharing stories of a glamorous Hollywood diva, played by Lopez.
I was fortunate to spend a few minutes chatting with Tonatiuh and Bill Condon about Kiss of the Spider Woman. We talked about the film’s timing and how it was just right for a new take on the story, one that further explores the issue of trans rights. Tomatiuh talked about what it meant to play both Luis and Kendall, and to express the full scope of male sexuality in those dual roles. Of course, Tomatiuh also spoke about sharing the screen and doing musical numbers with Lopez.
Kiss of the Spider Woman is in theaters now!
