Rating: 
Summary: gorgeous actress, dull movie
Review: Pilar de Ayala is the main saving grace of this movie, namely her huge expressive eyes and flawless naked body of which we get a couple of deliciously lingering glimpses.Otherwise this film is hard to sit through. It reminded me of another vomit-inducer, "Breaking the Waves:" after about the first 15 minutes it's painfully obvious that this poor girl's all-too-pure/passionate/devoted heart is going to be torn to pieces over a hopeless, undeserving scoundrel of a husband. Namely: she's madly, obsessively in love (and lust) with him but he can't reciprocate with the same...probably because he can't stop boinking other luscious young women left and right. In many ways a very Catholic movie: we are supposed to be deeply moved and edified by watching a hapless twit of a lamb get crucified on the altar of her sacred heart's insatiable LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! That's it. Have fun watching Jesus bleed to death on her cross for about 2 hours. All the beautiful costumes and scenery can't save this one. Instead I'd strongly recommend one of Vincente Aranda's first movies, "Lovers," which also touches on this theme but is far more complex, original and unpredictable. It was beautifully existential; in contrast "Mad Love" is basically a one-dimensional "For Dummies" version.
Rating: 
Summary: Pilar Lopez de Ayala
Review: Prince Philip made the mistake of thinking he could get away with endulging himself in pleasures of the flesh. Unfortunately, this didn't sit too well with Juana (Pilar Lopez de Ayala) who wanted Prince Philip (Daniele Liotti) all to herself. In the end Juana became so obsessed that it affected her ability to rule.
"Juana la Loca" (the film and the woman) is visually stunning! Pilar Lopez de Ayala is simply an angel! She ranks right up there with the gorgeous Spanish actress Penelope Cruz. Daniele Liotti does a great job portraying Prince Philip. He definately looks like a king with his lion-like mane of hair!
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant Drama
Review: RECOMMENDED for anyone who enjoys a well-directed, historical film. Aranda fills this film with accurate details and with an interesting contemporary and feminist twist. His interest in forlorn love is at its best here, utilizing one of the lesser-known, but significant personages (among those in the U.S.,) as a tour-de-force vehicle into the narrow-minded, fickle, and antiquated Spanish 15-th century concept of women.
Though Aranda is notorious for explicit sexual portrayals, the ones in this film are not excessive nor senseless. Everything seems to have its place, and is quite believeable. FIVE STARS!!!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Drama
Review: RECOMMENDED for anyone who enjoys a well-directed, historical film. Aranda fills this film with accurate details and with an interesting contemporary and feminist twist. His interest in forlorn love is at its best here, utilizing one of the lesser-known, but significant personages (among those in the U.S.,) as a tour-de-force vehicle into the narrow-minded, fickle, and antiquated Spanish 15-th century concept of women.
Though Aranda is notorious for explicit sexual portrayals, the ones in this film are not excessive nor senseless. Everything seems to have its place, and is quite believeable. FIVE STARS!!!
Rating:
Summary: That little green monster.....Jealousy
Review: This beautiful period film by director Vincente Aranda is the story of Juana--daughter of Isabelle and Ferdinand--perhaps Spain's most famous rulers. When she was 17, Juana became the wife of Philip of Burgundy in an arranged marriage in 1496. Philip was also known as "Philip the Handsome," and his blatant love affairs drove Juana, or so the story says, to madness. The film is a 'frame story'--it begins and ends with Juana as a very old woman, and then the film 'goes back' to 1496 with Juana off to her first meeting with her studley betrothed. The film follows their marriage, her many pregnancies, his love affairs and growing disinterest, and Juana's jealous rages and (according to her enemies in court) her descent into madness. When Juana's older brother and sister die, she is left, unexpectedly, as the heiress to the throne of Castile, and then the competency of her right to rule is questioned. This was a beautiful film--the sets were perfect, and the costumes rich. The acting was sublime. Pilar Lopez de Ayala is perfect as the fiery, intense Princess Juana--and with de Ayala in the role, Juana slips perfectly into madness. Daniele Liotti as Prince Philip is also excellent--amoral, and a Fabio-look-alike in ermine. Director Aranda also directed "Lovers"--another Spanish film with a theme of uncontrollable passion--so this is perhaps a specialty for this director. My only criticism is that the film left me curious to know more about Juana--but that is not a bad thing.
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