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Pilar López de Ayala, Daniele Liotti, Manuela Arcuri, Eloy Azorin, Rosana Pastor ... see more see more... , Giuliano Gemma , Roberto Alvarez , Carolina Bona , Chema de Miguel

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... read more read more... (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. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

66% liked it

1,432 ratings

Critics

47% liked it

49 critics

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Vicente Aranda

Release Date: August 30, 2002

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DVD Release Date: January 21, 2003

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Stats: 95 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (95)

  • DragonEyeMorrison
    April 12, 2012
    DragonEyeMorrison
    It's from spain, so of course it has lots of tits. Can't remember much else.
  • SajinPA
    January 15, 2011
    SajinPA
    Though not much interested in the Spanish history, I really loved the amazing sets and the very beautiful actress who portrayed the allegedly crazy queen. The way her obsession with her not so trustworthy husband drives her to the point of madness is really captured well.
  • purplemegan
    February 9, 2007
    purplemegan
    I enjoyed it, as much as you can enjoy a really depressing movie. This is the second Spanish movie that i've watched that's dealt with men abusing their power. They said that Joan was mad but she wasn't mad in the sense of craziness, she was furious. Her husband was cheating on h... read moreer with multiple other women...of course she's going to be pissed off and act eractic. People knew that the Archduke was unfaithful but they chose to ignore it. The men who knew fell into two camps, either they were helping to cover it up or they were too afraid to act against him. And the women who knew couldnt do a damn thing about it, because well, they were women. I mean I'm sure that it's true to the time period but it really pisses me off. But it was really well done.

View All Mad Love (Juana la Loca) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Geoff Pevere
January 10, 2003
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

A sumptuously-appointed account of the life of the 16th-century Spanish royal Joan of Castile. Full Review

Rick Groen
January 10, 2003
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Nothing more or less than an outright bodice-ripper -- it should have ditched the artsy pretensions and revelled in the entertaining shallows. Full Review

Gary Dowell
October 3, 2002
Gary Dowell, Dallas Morning News

There's a little violence and lots of sex in a bid to hold our attention, but it grows monotonous after a while, as do Joan and Philip's repetitive arguments, schemes and treachery. Full Review

Roger Moore
October 3, 2002
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Forget the Psychology 101 study of romantic obsession and just watch the procession of costumes in castles and this won't seem like such a bore.

Michael O'Sullivan
September 20, 2002
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

A bodice-ripper for intellectuals. Full Review

Loren King
September 19, 2002
Loren King, Chicago Tribune

Equal parts bodice-ripper and plodding costume drama. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
September 6, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A sexy, peculiar and always entertaining costume drama set in Renaissance Spain, and the fact that it's based on true events somehow makes it all the more compelling. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
September 6, 2002
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

The gifted and lovely Ms. López de Ayala makes Joan both an imperious queen and a passionate creature of desire. Full Review

Wesley Morris
September 6, 2002
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Like an Afterschool Special with costumes by Gianni Versace, Mad Love looks better than it feels. Full Review

V.A. Musetto
August 30, 2002
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

Overwrought, melodramatic bodice-ripper.

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