Coração Marcado

As Episode 1 of "The Marked Heart" (2022 release from Colombia; 14 episodes of about 40-45 min each) opens, we are introduced to a married couple who are in the car, enjoying Colombian singer Carlos Vives. Then the car suffers a flat tire and wipes out against a tree. Somehow "bad" guys show up and instead of helping the couple, they kidnap the woman... At this point we are 10 min into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: let me admit that I literally knew nothing about this series. Netflix "suggested" it to me based on my viewing preferences. The fact that this was a non-US series piqued my interest, so I happily gave this series a try. The series is super plot-heavy so I can't and won't say much about that. What I will say is this: it is intended to be a rough-and-tough crime drama set in Colombia's dark underbelly of organ trafficking. Alas, it became very quickly apparent that instead this is a soap opera with plot holes the size of Manhattan and correlating plot developments that were completely over the top and frankly utterly unbelievable.

"The Marked Heart" premiered on Netflix a few weeks ago in late April. I'll be honest: I gave it 4 episodes, and when I asked myself if I really had the appetite for 10 more episodes of this, I instantly knew the answer and I quit. Of course don't take my word for it, so I encourage you to check it out, and draw your own conclusion. Just don't say you weren't warned.

A man falls in love with a woman who now owns the heart of his late wife, who was murdered for her heart. Now if there's an interesting and relevant theme, here you have one. Unfortunately the Colombian filmmakers turn it into a hard to swallow soap opera. The script is unnecessarily protracted and unrealistic. The acting is soooooo bad, it felt like watching a high school drama. The president-to-be character never transcends the caricature level. The murdered woman plays the trumpet but never fills her cheeks with air. Come on, do some research.

I've learnt two things from this series: First: ALL Colombian women are good looking.

Second: colombians only have sex with their clothes on.

For short: a missed opportunity. Organ trafficking is a relevant issue. It would have deserved a professional approach. This one clearly isn't.

Typical Latin American over acted soap opera. Some people love this genre, but if what you are looking is for an acting that looks real, and not exaggerated characters then you should go for this one. There are some scenes that look just horrible and extremely artificial, to a point that cuts your connection to the script, as you can clearly feel its disconnection with reality.

Was really interested on this show... But couldn't get pass the second episode... Some parts were absolutely ridiculous... You are late to your own wedding because you are taking pictures of a marathon? I mean... The heart recipient had a partially naked photo shoot right before her surgery?? And is devouring french fries around her office right after the operation? Not realistic at all.

I chose to watch this show because I do think the concept is interesting, will our heart really live on if it were in another persons body?will it feel the same love? Is the love in your heart something that remains? So there I go binge watching the show as I really couldnt stop.

It was interesting and it is also very dramatic which makes me decide that it is a telenovela( thankfully only 14 eps) .The show also brings light to organ trafficking which is a really heavy and dark subject. Though I have to say I did become a bit bored of the crime scenes.

Ultimately the show was quite heavy to watch. Try putting yourself in Camillas shoes, thats a lot of stuff to deal with isnt it? Realising that the heart that was given to you was a result of a murder of an innocent woman. I feel that the heavy subject interwoven with the drama feels a bit messy towards the end.

Though i have to say theyre all good actors and i like the chemistry between the main leads particularly Simon and Camila.

Give it a watch if you are looking for a short soapy show (theres not a lot of it is there?)