Mad Love (2001)

The love story that transformed Juana, Queen of Spain, into Juana "the Mad". A story of passions, lies and jealousy with a political motive behind.

Director:

Vicente Aranda

Writers:

Vicente Aranda (screenplay), Antonio Larreta (screenplay)

Stars:

Pilar López de Ayala, Daniele Liotti, Rosana Pastor

14 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pilar López de Ayala	...	Juana
Daniele Liotti	...	Felipe
Rosana Pastor	...	Elvira
Giuliano Gemma	...	De Veyre
Roberto Álvarez	...	Admiral
Eloy Azorín	...	Álvaro de Estúñiga
Guillermo Toledo	...	Capitán Corrales
Susi Sánchez	...	Reina Isabel (as Susy Sánchez)
Chema de Miguel	...	Don Juan Manuel
Andrés Lima	...	Marqués de Villena
Cipriano Lodosa	...	Marliano
Manuela Arcuri	...	Aixa-Beatriz
Carolina Bona	...	Inés
Jorge Monje	...	Hernán
Sol Abad	...	Mucama

Storyline

Juana is married off by her pious parents, the Catholic kings Ferndinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille, to ally Spain, united by their marriage, to the Burgundian and other Habsburg heritage of archduke Maximilian's son Philip. When they meet, it's love at first sight, for her all-consuming, for him one of many happy bed partnerships as she later discovers. Deaths in her family soon make Juana Isabella's heir, but Ferdinand suggests she inherited her grandmother's madness and supports Philip's ambition to rule instead, which becomes the stakes of political maneuvering in the Cortes (nobility-dominated parliament). Combined with Philip's incurable infidelity, which includes a Moorish whore-princess, multiple drama is inevitable, and worse follows.

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Plot Keywords:

female nudity | infidelity | prostitute | female rear nudity | sex | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality/nudity

Details

Official Sites:

juanalaloca.com (Spanish) Sony Pictures Classics

Country:

Spain Italy Portugal France

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

30 August 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mad Love

Filming Locations:

Barajas, Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

€4,800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

€425,402 (Spain), 2 October 2001, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$31,417, 1 September 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$279,605, 15 December 2002

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,200,000, 31 December 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+ España,Enrique Cerezo Producciones Cinematográficas S.A.,Eurimages

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

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Soundtracks

Danza
Anonymos author

User Reviews

The most touching drama ever seen...

10 points from 10 for *Juana la loca*! And if there were 100 points I'd give all 100 for this amazingly beautiful and touching film!

I've read all the comments and couldn't resist leaving here mine. *Juana la loca* is a film for sensitive people whose intellect has gone far than watching trashy actions and shallow soap operas. This Spanish drama makes a viewer use his intellect, it's not an entertaining film - it is too deep and too emotional, and too well-played to be called *soap opera*. Based on real events the film gives us the full description of those beautiful and at the same time sad pages of Spanish history.

Pilar Lopez de Ayala is an unsurpassed young actress! She was so convincing in this role, so touching and so brilliant. She had no such a love tragedy in her own life but she managed to portray it on the screen. As if she had suffered it herself. All her words, especially those cried out in a heavy rain are pierced with pain and desperation. She played so naturally no matter whom - an innocent young girl, a woman in love or a miserable queen driven into madness from jealousy towards her husband. Bravo, Pilar !!!

As for Daniele Liotti, Felipe el Hermoso, he also did great job portraying this monarch. Someone mentioned Antonio Banderas for this part? I'm sorry. I can't even compare these too men. Daniele is the embodiment of man's beauty! When I saw him for the first time it was quite enough for me to understand that PERFECTION DOES EXIST. No one better than him could fit for the part of the king known as *the Handsome*. So, farewell, Banderas. Not this type. Who said Felipe couldn't have such chiseled body as Liotti has? No matter that Felipe was a king, his body would be just the same as shown on the screen. First of all, he led an active way of life - constant hunting and riding a horse.These factors made him look like that. And his acting was appropriate for such a womanizer as Felipe. Great job, Daniele! Giving you 10 points also! And bravo, Vicente Aranda! Beautiful drama!