Mirada de mujer

The greatest soap opera off all times!! It doesn't even seem fare to call it a soap opera, realistic, heart shaking, intelligent, and timeless. The plot touches the core of Latin-American customs and prejudice, leaving the viewers with the disagreeable feeling of there own bigotry.

It had such an impact in Mexican society that it was banned in certain more traditional cities and was known to be forbidden by many chauvinistic husbands thru out the country.

It has never been shown complete after the first time (1997-1998), and there have been attempts of "remakes" that simply make the original even more of a master piece. A must have if you can ever get a hand on the non cut version.

This Mexican telenovela, MIRADA DE MUJER (View of a Woman) shows a woman's view of several issues. The main issue is infidelity.

Maria Ines has three children and is happily married - or so she thinks. She is shocked and devastated to learn that her husband has a lover (a much younger woman) and he wants a divorce from her. The story shows how Maria Ines, her family and friends handle this life-changing situation.

In addition to the infidelity theme, other issues covered are: unplanned pregnancy, interracial dating, eating disorders, traditional school of thought about marriage versus the modern school of thought, breast cancer, domestic violence, choosing to become a single-parent, age difference in dating relationships, stay-at-home versus a working mother, body image and the obsession to remain youthful-looking.

All the issues are very well handled. The telenovela is very realistic.

After watching MIRADA DE MUJER, look for the telenovela, LA VIDA EN ESPEJO, which shows what a man goes through in the similar sort of circumstances. These are two very good novelas.

Maria Ines is a 50 years old woman who has been raised in a conservative tradition. When her husband Ignacio leaves her, she has to build her life again, facing the disapproval of those who expect a Mexican woman to be everything but free and assertive.

The soap opera genre has always been popular in Mexico, but this particular one had everybody, including the intellectuals and the educated classes glued to the TV screen.

It was realistic, it had excellent dialogues, written by and for intelligent people, it used cinematographic techniques (e.g. the camera movements) in a refreshing way, it touched interesting and previously avoided subjects like divorce, abortion, AIDS, women's lib and drugs, and it had a wonderful cast. I encourage you to watch it if you have the chance.

I decided to watch A Walk in the Clouds, one of my favorite films of all time, as it was years ago since I have last seen it. The mom was so familiar, I know I have seen her before, but I couldn't remember where. Then it hit me, I saw her at Mirada de Mujer!

I loved Mirada de Mujer. My mom and I used to watch it together. It was something that women could bond over together. Sometimes, when my dad's not watching something else, he'll join in.

I'm amazed at how the dialogues were so raw and so real. What they say in certain situations are what people would say in real life. The dialogues weren't 'screened' or sugarcoated. They were raw and they made the viewing experience so beautiful. I wish they'd rerun the whole series again. The situations the characters were subjected to are true to what happens in real time. It was released in 1997, but it was only shown in our country a few years ago. And yet, everything was still very kindred to the family and society's present realities.

Mirada de Mujer is must-see. It's just right to give it a 10, nothing in this world's perfect, but this novela is definitely a cut above the rest. Don't be surprised if you find yourself shaking your fist at the screen, reacting and giving your two cents as to what a character should do, or wanting to see the next installment at the soonest possible time.. I promise, it'll get a reaction out of you. It's that good and different from all the crap (sorry) on TV today.