Enamorada

Looking at Emilio Fernández as Mapache in 'The Wild Bunch' it seems almost incredible that in his youth he was recommended by Dolores del Rio as the model for the Oscar statuette. What is indisputable is that he was one of Mexico's most powerful directors during its Golden Age.

Partly inspired by 'The Taming of the Shrew' and a traditional 14th Century Spanish tale this is the first of Fernández' three films featuring the indomitable Maria Félix and in Pedro Armendáriz she has found her ideal acting partner. Two strong personalities whose chemistry is palpable. The character of Beatriz is a quarry that can only be subdued by Love and although she may succumb to José she will of course never be truly 'tamed'. Indeed, why should she?

Believing that film represented 'the most splendid means of expression', Fernández found a soul mate in cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, one of Cinema's great pictorialists whose images have been described as 'murals in movement.' He was also blessed to have the services of editor Gloria Schoemann who reigned supreme at a time when Mexican culture regarded editing as an unsuitable job for a woman.

Four years on came a remake entitled 'The Torch'. Despite having the same director, cinematographer and leading man, it is alas marred by an embarassingly coquettish performance by a thirty-nine year old Paulette Goddard. It is a sorry affair that simply serves to confirm the magnificence of the original.

The film is a cinematographic gem, one of the best films in Mexican cinema. Figueroa's photography is simply magical, it manages to portray the beauty of María Félix in all its splendor. Emilio Fernández as director is magnificent, he manages to awaken the romanticism of a determined and calculating Pedro Armendariz. He also directs a María Félix who manages to be comical and rude at the same time, her performance is hypnotic, she does not need to say a word to fall in love, her only presence and her gaze is enough for it. All the elements are so well constructed and directed that they make this film unforgettable.

When two very independent persons from opposite backgrounds fall in love, what can you expect?? Nothing but trouble. This love story takes place during the Mexican Revolution times(Early 1900's), but could very well take place in any other place or time in the world. The beauty of this picture is mainly due to the the great work of art performed by its photographer, Gabriel Figueroa that captures incredible moments, when by only looking at the main actress' eyes everything is said and understood. The Director, who else but Emilio, El Indio, Fernandez is said to have made this picture, as a reflection of his own life. A Revolutionary General that falls in love with the town's most beautiful and richest lady, someone perhaps too high above his social level. It is an entertaining movie where you can feel the rejection of the upper classes to the dominant peasants invading forces. The main actor was one of Mexico's greatest from its "Golden period": Pedro Armendariz, and the leading lady, Mexican Goddess, Maria Felix. As an added piece of information, due to the "Indio Fernandez" great international fame, a second version of this movie was filmed in English and directed by him in Hollywood in 1949 under the title: The Torch. Pedro Armendariz, who was born and raised in the USA repeated his role as in the original movie, along with Paulette Goddard(Charlie Chaplin's former wife). This second version was not quite as good as the original one.

A really exceptional movie. Maria Felix is stunningly beautiful, Pedro Armendáriz is extremely handsome, Emilio Fernandez's direction is spot on, and Gabriel Figueroa's cinematography is exceptional (he worked with Gregg Toland of Citizen Kane and Grapes Of Wrath fame - and it shows).

Often called the Gone With The Wind of Mexican cinema and with a plot that has been referred to as Mexico's Taming Of The Shrew, it's a film of many parts, all excellent. Starts as a movie about the Mexican revolution, then quickly turns into a film about class distinctions and a romantic battle of wills between a beautiful, hot-tempered, haughty, upper-class woman and a lower-class, powerful general.

The serenade scene - with close-ups of Felix's eyes and the songs of the mariachis - is one of those rare moments of cinematic perfection.

Most highly recommended.

Added note: This may be a bit hard to find with English subtitles, so look for the Alter's Collection - !Vive Mexico! DVD version.

Pedro Armendáriz is the most handsome man I ever know, he illuminated the screen, when he appear all the harts stop's and you don't think in anything just in him. In this film, he is a General or the Mexican Revolution who has an important mission, but he fall in love with Beatriz (María Félix) who is the rich woman in the town (Puebla). That confrontation with his love and the mission is so wonderful. Thats why I say that all have hart, everybody thought that the revolutionaries doesn't think in that, but love is love and the hart has reasons that the reason doesn't understand. This is my favorite film, great actors, excellent Director (Emilio Fernández), lovely photography (Gabriel Figueroa), spectacular natural stages. In this film doesn't have a lot of dialog, all is with the eyes and the feeling's of the actors. I also recommended "La Malquerida", "Las Abandonadas", "La Bandida", "Bugambilia". Thank's for all this art. Jacqueline Arch