Mad Love

2001 Drama

This lavish historical drama was inspired by the true story of Juana the Mad, who became Queen of Spain before her willfulness and jealousy robbed her of her power. During the late 15th century, Juana (Pilar Lopez de Ayala) was born to the Spanish royal family, and as a teenager her mother, Queen Isabella (Susy Sanchez), arranged for her to marry Archduke Philip (Daniele Liotti) of Brussels. The marriage is a matter of politics more than anything else, and Juana is upset that she must leave behind Alvaro de Estuniga (Eloy Azorin), the boy she loves, but from the first time she sees Felipe, she's passionately attracted to him, and he soon awakens her to the joys of lovemaking. While Juana is happy with her new husband, Philip soon reveals himself to be an incorrigible womanizer (and rapidly loses sexual interest in her), leading to much tension between Philip and Juana. To complicate matters further, her sexual appetite and desire to possess her husband only build, and soon, she is completely out of control on an emotional level - throwing tantrums in the rain, lapsing into arousal while she breast feeds and evincing a spectrum of equally questionable behavior that leads others (including Philip) to dub her "Juana the Mad."In time, Juana becomes the Queen of Spain, but her rise to power is tempered by Felipe' s behind-the-scenes machinations to have her dethroned once and for all. Lo and behold, she falls into the trap of missing this - as she's too distracted by Philip's continued infidelity. more..

Director: Vincente Aranda

Starring: Pilar López de Ayala, Daniele Liotti, Manuela Arcuri, Eloy Azorin, Rosana Pastor

Reviews

  • Sexy, peculiar and always entertaining.

    Mick LaSalle - The San Francisco Chronicle

    19 January 2013

  • Succeeds as a full-bodied diversion because it takes even its silly elements seriously. If you're in the mood for impressive castles and sumptuous costumes, torch-lit processions and decorative nudity, this is the place to turn.

    Kenneth Turan - Los Angeles Times

    19 January 2013

  • A bodice-ripper for intellectuals.

    Michael O'Sullivan - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • Star Pilar Lopez de Ayala is such a feisty, striking presence, and the film so conventional in its depiction of a jealous and insatiable love, that it is hard to see Juana as anything other than a typical soap opera heroine.

    Loren King - The Chicago Tribune

    19 January 2013

  • It's López de Ayala's show, and she's relentless in her energy and passion.

    Connie Ogle - Miami Herald

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Best Performance in a Leading Role

    ADIRCAE Awards (2002)

  • Best Actress (Mejor Actriz)

    Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain (2002)

  • Best Movie Actress (Mejor Actriz de Cine)

    Fotogramas de Plata (2002)

  • Best Actress (Mejor Actriz Principal)

    Goya Awards (2002)

  • Cinema - Best Actress

    Premios ACE (2002)