Seldom do movie goers get the opportunity to see priceless works of art come to life, but that’s exactly what the film “Frida” (Miramax, R) accomplishes.

Starring Salma Hayek as controversial Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, this film follows the artist’s life from the time of her youth to her death, leaving very little out in between.

–

Kahlo is depicted as a tomboyish eccentric who actively strives to become her own individual, no matter the consequences. It is this brashness that leads her to become involved in the horrible accident that would come to shape her personality, strengthen her will and add fuel to her craft for the rest of her life.

Running through the streets of Mexico in an attempt to catch a missed bus, a teenage Frida catches up to it and stands next to a local builder.The man is holding a bag of loose gold dust intended to be used in the home of a wealthy client, and he sprinkles a bit of it into her hand. Running her fingers in and out of the powdery substance, Kahlo is too distracted to brace herself as the bus swerves out of the road and careens into the side of a nearby building. Severely injured and covered in gold, Kahlo is rendered unable to have children when a metal rod from the rubble impaled her through her back and out her pelvis.

This scene depicting Frida’s life-altering accident was shot so fluidly by director Julie Taymor that it is breathtaking. The film’s art director, Bernardo Trujillo, has done a fabulous job of incorporating the works of Kahlo into the film and will undoubtedly receive an Oscar nomination because of it.

Certain scenes that show Hayek painting and then turning into the painting, which then comes to life, show how far film technology has advanced.

The supporting cast of “Frida” adds a great deal to what is already being called the performance of a lifetime for Hayek, who up until now was most recognized for her roles in such films as “From Dusk Till Dawn” and “Dogma.”

Alfred Molina (“Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia”) takes on the role of Kahlo’s womanizing husband, Diego Rivera, and he and Hayek bring great chemistry to the screen.

Great effort was put toward bringing the essence of Frida Kahlo to life, and with expert directing and breathtaking cinematography, “Frida” proves to be a masterpiece.