Movie musical maestro Bill Condon (director of Dreamgirls and Beauty and the Beast [2017], and screenwriter for Chicago and The Greatest Showman) provides a good stage-to-screen adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman. But, it’s also a reminder that sometimes a filmed version of a bottled staged show can’t overcome its blatant challenges.

Most of 1993’s Tony award-winner takes place within a shared jail. Luis (soap star Tonatiuh) has been incarcerated for indecency and continues to experience other prejudices for being gay. However, Luis has been propositioned by the warden to spy and collect information on their cellmate Valentin (Diego Luna of Y tu mama tambien and Disney’s Andor), a political prisoner. If Luis plays ball and pleases the warden, early parole could be in the cards. Though their dynamic is cold at first, Lus and Valentin find themselves warming up to each other when Luis gushes over his favourite movie The Kiss of the Spider Woman; starring Hollywood scarlet Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez, continuing her late career renaissance since Hustlers) in a dual role that Luis relates to more as he proceeds with his personal mission.

Theatre has the opportunity to split the stage and find contrast between the dank cell in its dire times, and the escapist fantasy of a 50s Technicolour dreamscape. With a movie, Condon tries his best to flip between these modes, but the switch is always so jarring and the choice to use crisp digital photography, nary of any extra post-production work, to capture the golden age of Hollywood musicals looks really phoney. Despite Lopez, in her natural element, giving the dance sequences her full effort and attention, and the art direction giving the choreography an extra pop.

In the real world, Luna is amusing and lovely as he channels Valentin’s curiousity through spurts of agitation and exhaustion towards his flamboyant partner. But, the standout star of Condon’s film is Tonaituh. In a masterful breakout, the actor creates a magnetic character who steals our heart and wows us with his moves and personality.

While the transition may be a bit bumpy for fans of the source material, Kiss of the Spider Woman will still scratch the itch for audiences begging for a return to classic movie musicals.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie