Mad Love

2002

Mad Love

Critics Consensus

An overwrought bodice-ripper, Mad Love is more silly than dramatic.

48%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 50

65%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,502

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Movie Info

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. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Cast

Pilar López de Ayala
as Joan
Daniele Liotti
as Archduke Philip
Manuela Arcuri
as Aixa
Eloy Azorin
as Alvaro
Rosana Pastor
as Elvira
Giuliano Gemma
as De Veyre
Roberto Álvarez
as Admiral
Carolina Bona
as Ines
Chema de Miguel
as Don Juan Manuel
Andrés Lima
as Marquis of Villena
Guillermo Toledo
as Captain Corrales
Cipriano Lodosa
as Marliano
Susy Sanchez
as Queen Isabella
Héctor Colomé
as King Ferdinand
Jorge Monje
as Hernan
Sol Abad
as Mucama
Cristina Arranz
as Ana
Cristina Perales
as Maria
María Ballesteros
as Catalina
Sonia Madrid
as Brigitte
Cristina Solano
as Analfabeta
Ricardo Garcia Robledo
as Juan as a Child
Jennifer Diaz
as Maria as a Child
Nerea Garcia
as Catalina as a Child
Virginia Olmas
as Isabel as a Child
Fidel Almansa
as Fray Andrea
Ana Villa
as Spanish Woman #1
Maria de los Angeles Morales
as Spanish Woman #2
Eva Zapico
as Spanish Woman #3
Jose Maria Rueda
as Doctor
Javier Ramirez Sandoval
as Painter
María Jesús Valdés
as Older Joan
Carlos Martinez
as Francisco de Borja
Lucio Romero
as Noble
Diana Costa
as Lady
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Critic Reviews for Mad Love

All Critics (50) | Top Critics (18)

  • Every historical film, it seems, has certain requirements: galloping horses, characters swathed in yards of tapestry fabric, demure yet treacherous ladies-in-waiting. Mad Love has all that and more.

    Oct 30, 2018 | Full Review…

    Sheila Norman-Culp

    Associated Press
    Top Critic

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

    Jan 10, 2003 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Geoff Pevere

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic

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

    Jan 10, 2003 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Rick Groen

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic

  • 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.

    Oct 3, 2002 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

    Gary Dowell

    Dallas Morning News
    Top Critic

  • 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.

    Oct 3, 2002 | Rating: 3/5

    Roger Moore

    Orlando Sentinel
    Top Critic

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

    Sep 27, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Connie Ogle

    Miami Herald
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (50)

Audience Reviews for Mad Love

  • Apr 12, 2012
    It's from spain, so of course it has lots of tits. Can't remember much else.
    Tsubaki S Super Reviewer
  • Jan 15, 2011
    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.
    Sajin P Super Reviewer
  • Feb 09, 2007
    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 her 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.
    Megan S Super Reviewer
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