This story is about a person of whom I was not aware until watching it. After viewing, I read several articles on Juana Ines de la Cruz. The details of her life and her relations with those around her are somewhat obscure. Her life seems to still inspire speculation and fabrication of events that may not have happened. However, knowing something of the Roman Church and Spanish Inquisition, and having some understanding of classical learning in the Baroque era, I believe this to be an entirely credible construct of her life, providing some good possibilities for the motivations behind her actions. Now, if you are the type of moralistic Catholic who cannot believe that there are lesbians in convents, or that certain holy monastics have the same urges as others, don't bother watching this one. It is neither like The Song of Bernadette, nor like the splendid Spanish series on the life of Teresa of Avila. The production qualities are sometimes not the best, and I have never much cared for the use of two actresses to play the same character at different ages, but the sheer drama of the story redeems it. The intense psychological aspects of the characters, and the performances of these actors merit the highest praise. The subject matter is so compelling that you cannot stop watching it, and yet it doesn't lend itself to binge watching, because you will need time to absorb what you have just seen in a single episode.
9 Reviews
A well written series, great proposal.
jero-910 February 2017
I was amazed when I watched this series on Netflix this week. I really didn't know what to expect and was met with an impeccable production, script and editing. Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz is a literary figure of the 17th century and an icon of Mexican Culture but, ironically enough, very little is known of her. And yes, the story-telling does take some liberties with this but to enrich the narrative build, not for shock value. At least I didn't think so. After all, a character as strong as her surely wasn't bland or dull. Her rebellion, for example, is very likely as it is known from letters written by her that she did have a quarrel with her confessor, something unthinkable at the time. Why is is so outrageous then that a figure as her, or nuns at all, had a sexual orientation of any kind? I recommend this series for it's narrative proposal which is both constructive and daring. WARNING: Not suitable for history buffs who want a narrated documentary with "reenactments for dramatic purposes". After all, it's just good TV.
Soaked in atmosphere
info-14586-9140611 March 2017
I grew up in Mexico. Studying the life and work of 'Sor Juana' was in the school curriculum. This is a worthy and beautiful portrayal of a genius writer. The producers, writers, etc have done a wonderful job of bringing back to life the beautiful secret that is Sor Juana's life. It is also refreshing to see that she is portrayed as a full human being and not just the 'feminist' caricature that we are often sold at discount rates. I loved everything about this series and will watch it again.
Passionate story of a life dedicated to writing
lupanarreview9 February 2017
Juana Inés is a talented young woman with only one goal in life: to study and write. Of course, it's the XVII century and knowledge in women is considered dangerous. This premise carries us through the seven episodes of the mini-series, where we see Juana Inés use her wit to challenge the most powerful men in New Spain in order to defend her right to knowledge.
The series really transports the viewer to a different era where women only had two choices: to get married or become a nun, which meant a lifetime of confinement. Also, it is the first time I've seen a portrayal of the caste system in colonial Mexico. As any good period piece, it's relevant to today as it puts gender, race and power struggles into perspective.
In some instances, it is obvious that the production didn't have a lot of money. Sometimes the fabric of the clothing really stands out as cheap, but the story, the acting and the dialogues are so powerful, that you soon forget about those details and really get invested in the characters.
Some have criticized the historical accuracy of the series, but I honestly don't think that is the scale on which to measure its worth. Very little facts are known about Juana Inés's life, the rest is speculation. This series is a proposal, an interpretation of what her life could have been like, and as such, is as valid as any other. However, I think the dialogue is interesting, because how we want to see her says more about ourselves than of her.
I truly recommend this series to anyone looking for something meaningful to watch.
The series really transports the viewer to a different era where women only had two choices: to get married or become a nun, which meant a lifetime of confinement. Also, it is the first time I've seen a portrayal of the caste system in colonial Mexico. As any good period piece, it's relevant to today as it puts gender, race and power struggles into perspective.
In some instances, it is obvious that the production didn't have a lot of money. Sometimes the fabric of the clothing really stands out as cheap, but the story, the acting and the dialogues are so powerful, that you soon forget about those details and really get invested in the characters.
Some have criticized the historical accuracy of the series, but I honestly don't think that is the scale on which to measure its worth. Very little facts are known about Juana Inés's life, the rest is speculation. This series is a proposal, an interpretation of what her life could have been like, and as such, is as valid as any other. However, I think the dialogue is interesting, because how we want to see her says more about ourselves than of her.
I truly recommend this series to anyone looking for something meaningful to watch.
Well done mini series
juntoseva14 May 2018
This was a great series finally exposing one of the little known literary greats. She was beyond her time and the series appeared to take some creative license with the good possibility she may have a been a lesbian. Her writings elude quite well to this possibility but in the end no one really knows and this is where the show took some creative license. It is entirely possible it could have really happened and I am perfectly okay with that. She trancended her time and I can see the church being sadisticly oppressive during those times. It's great to see a high budget series on Netflix telling her story to the world! Loved this series.
Great series
michelle-rangel10 May 2024
I stumbled upon this series not knowing ab thing about Juana Ines and after watching became fascinated by her life. This tells her story from young girl left by her uncle to the church. Surviving under the hands of a ruthless priest and the church to her death ending in her supreme sacrifice. Thru it all, she fought for what she believed in and persisted. Loved the clothes, music and story and locations. Anyone interested in Frida Kahlo should look up this sister. She had true woman power against the church, spanish machismo, power of educating thru books and hierarchy/ society racism and bigotry.
MUSIC
jeremypleuger6 September 2018
Don't watch this trash Get a good biography.
yelvaberry5 February 2017
How sad that they used and abused such a good biopic and made the typical trash of lesbians, and corruption of the Church. You better get a good Biography, instead of wasting your time watching this fantasy. The guidelines for reviews here they say it's 10 lines. I really don't have much to say about this series. I have watched 4 episodes, and instead of getting better, it gets worse. It is sad they wasted so much talent, money and energy to advance the typical Hollywood immorality that they want to impose on every one as "normal". I have read Sor Juana Ines of the Cruz all my life. Biographies, and her poetry. As I said, it is a waste of time, and resources. They could have used the real, true story, and come up with something beautiful. Too bad.
beautiful
Kirpianuscus11 June 2022
I admired the beautiful work of Arantza Ruiz and Arcelia Ramirez. I was impressed by the work of Hernan de Riego , giving to his father Antonio only the intense nuances of power builded on vulnerability. And sure, I saw as delightful Carlos Valencia , creating a sort of Darth Vader in Romano - Catholic style
Yes, the acting is one of high virtues of series.
But, in same measure, a beautiful aspect is the care for atmosphere. Juana Ines is, not surprising, a manifesto of feminism. Its gift is to use the purpose for define a period and not make the history facts a piece of clay.
A film about power and wisedom.
Inspired made, proposing useful questions and giving to the Mexican XVII century status of seed for understand, properly, our time.
But, in same measure, a beautiful aspect is the care for atmosphere. Juana Ines is, not surprising, a manifesto of feminism. Its gift is to use the purpose for define a period and not make the history facts a piece of clay.
A film about power and wisedom.
Inspired made, proposing useful questions and giving to the Mexican XVII century status of seed for understand, properly, our time.
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