Enamorada

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.

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.

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

Romantic melodrama at its best, if you ask me! I still remember the reaction of the international audience who saw this motion picture as part of the homage to Fernández in La Habana Film Festival, half a century after its original release: as the word "Fin" appeared on the screen, people stood up and applauded in a mix of emotion, humor and excitement. Because watching a celebrity as "La Doña" hit the dusty road as a common soldadera, following the officer she loves during Mexican revolution in 1910, is something to cherish, laugh at and applaud. In Cholula, a general falls for the beautiful, haughty daughter of a landowner, engaged to an American, so it is "The Taming of the Shrew" time once again. And believe me, it is a pleasure to watch the duel between Félix and Armendáriz as the Trío Calaveras sings. Ariel Awards for Best Direction, Actress, Cinematography (Gabriel Figueroa), Film Editing, sound and new actor (Eduardo Arozamena). A special Golden Ariel was given to director Fernández.

A batallion of Mexican revolutionaries comes into a Mexican town and the leader of the band falls for the daughter of the of the town's wealthy class.

There must be some symbolism in there, but it's not transmitted very deftly.

The movie is mostly somber. There are a few pieces of questionably convoluted political dialogue as the characters argue with each other and plenty of executions by firing squad. What struck me most about the film is the fact that there are some real lapses in tone, such as when the general flies off a horse or a scene where there's some slapstick with a log.

The romance is not very well-developed. The guy catcalls the woman and she slaps him... and slaps him and slaps him... And he keeps pursuing her until she gets with him. Nevertheless, as with most of these old Ariel winners, it was probably meant to be a symbolic and not realistic movie - the poor and the rich finding peace with each other. But it's not particularly well-done.

It's a little better than the standard fare for the era and certainly watchable, but nothing special. Good battle scenes, though!

Honourable Mentions: White tiger (2021). A film about the plight of the poor at the hands of the cruel rich. Excellent movie.