La Mentira as Enchanted Hacienda
2023 novel ENCHANTED HACIENDA reminded me a bit of "Hacienda La Flor" in 1998 telenovela LA MENTIRA (currently streaming on demand on Vix) which I'm loving rewatching--again reminded of magic spells that befuddled deluded, suspicious mixed-up lovers in Shakespeare's MID-SUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.
Tho some topics in LM may sound heavy, it's very enjoyable to watch. So many things are going on, can't really describe as fitting into narrow catagory: LM has got tender romance, humor, suspense, social criticism--plus lovely Mexican scenery!
Brush up your Shakespeare: LA MENTIRA (The Lie) could be subtitled "Desdemona strikes back". In LM, circumstantial "proofs" of a crime ("Dear John" letter, initial broach) are wrapped in handkerchief--reference to alleged proof of Desdemona's supposed infidelity in Shakespeare's play about lies, OTHELLO.
Revenge of jealous husband in play is echoed in LM's falsely accused injured wife suggesting her supposed assailant finish the job by smothering her with pillow--act that LM antagonist actually tries to do to his unfaithful partner. LM is also a bit like Cole Porter musical KISS ME KATE.
Another unusual, lesser known version of OTHELLO is 1951 movie PANDORA & THE FLYING DUTCHMAN, likely reason James Mason got role as also mysterious ocean going figure, Captain Nemo in Disney 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
If you liked any of the books or visually told stories mentioned above, LA MENTIRA is well worth trying (especially complete version on demand on Vix, rather than decimated one on 2 DVD set that's only one tenth of original length of TV series. To repeat viewer of entire original version, DVDs seems more like a trailer--missing many favorite highlights why fans watch again & again.
Reason am mentioning a few here is to assist those who must rely on English subtitles of DVD set. Once oriented on basic story line, language learners may feel more able to attempt version subtitled only in Spanish.
If immigrants to new country are expected to learn American English, in a global culture where many are polylingual--for centuries common in Europe--residents of North America should be able to learn some American Spanish, much easier than idiosyncratic, often ilogical English (many sound-alike words--ex: wear/where/weir--and also different spellings for same sounds.bough/bow/rough/ruff)
Will assume if you've read this far, you aren't bothered by coming across any plot spoilers in a review saying more than all too frequent comment cited in brilliant book UNBEARABLE BOOK CLUB FOR UNSINKABLE GIRLS: "I liked it. It was good".--the bane of Lit teachers trying to get students to think about what they read.
Scholarly book A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ROMANCE NOVEL by Pamela Regis quotes Romance novelist Suzanne Simmons Guntrum: "Why read a novel when we already know how it is going to end? Because it is the process, not the conclusion, that we are reading for." This also explains why I re-read and re-watch many favorites, because it's still fun to see how all the elements of a work fit together--and over time, thinking about & making comparisons, often discover new facets.
Following touches on some things in 1998 LA MENTIRA that may appeal to fans of ENCHANTED HACIENDA--which seems inspired in part by classic romantic telenovelas, a genre many readers of EH aren't familiar with, judging by comments on GoodReads.
On very day LA MENTIRA's romantic hero Demetrio (named for goddess of fertility of the earth Demeter) arrives back in his native Mexico on return from Europe, he drinks red beverage Jamaica made from hibiscus flowers that he hadn't tasted since he was "un chamaco". Might represent a form of Communion wine. Glass jars of other drinks such as horchata look like colors of Mexican flag, red, white and green.
Night-time fiesta in small town where he and new friend who is his guide arrive in skull-white jeep to spend the night (see HERO'S JOURNEY below) includes other traditional Mexican cultural emblems, including encounter with "calaveras" or personification of Death as part of the cycle of life.
Unsure if name of next driver that new friends meet at fiesta--Gaspar--may refer to one of Three Kings who bring gifts to Christ Child (Hispanic culture's version of Santa Claus) or Anglo version, best known as "Casper the Friendly Ghost". Famous mid-century Mexican novel PEDRO PARAMO pre-dates twist of movie SIXTH SENSE.
(Cultural note--In places where Three Kings Day aka Epiphany, January 6, is when gifts are given, rather than cookies for Santa & stockings, children leave grass for Kings' camels in maybe a shoe box that next day is magically replaced by small toys. My mother used to look for camels' footprints, but never found any--maybe they, as do reindeer, can fly to rooftops.)
Like Apollo standing in chariot, Demetrio crosses desert and arrives in leaf-green jeep at seemingly misnamed "Pueblo Alegre" (cheerful/lively/happy town) that at first glance appears to be dead ghost town where he tries to brush off dust.
As in ENCHANTED HACIENDA, goddess of the agave plant Mayahuel (stress on 3rd syllable, not 2nd as on EH audiobook) is said to protect the land. Demetrio inherits vast fields of agave plants grown to make tequila, which must mainly be grown in Jalisco (like grapes for real champagne must largely be grown in area bearing that name). Female protagonist rides golden palomino stallion she names Agave, saying it means admirable. She is sun bringing life & truth.
Ep. 31 has great line of dialogue that in context is hilarious: "Tu tia nunca te hablo de las abejitas y de las flores?" ("Your aunt never told you about the little bees & the flowers?"--In English "the birds & the bees".) Decorative objects in hacienda include globes covered with seeds, and shiny balls in Easter egg shades of pink, blue & silver Easy to overlook visual joke in Ep. 55--unusually shaped long lamp faced by husband when going to confront wife with fact "they" are pregnant--so funny & sweet!)
Demetrio is told of legend of Mayahuel that kept people away from long neglected land by both the elderly (but feisty) priest Padre Wiliams, and figuratively right-hand man for owner of land, Jacinto (named after flower Hyacinth), whose actual left arm is crippled and useless. Another important resident, French horse trader walks with a limp. Local doctor is alcoholic, among other examples that area needs healing.
Hero jokingly quotes a traditional saying to friend (who'd thought he'd died): "Mala hierba nunca muere" (Weeds never die/ Weeds live forever. English equivalent "The bad penny always turns up", you can't get rid of me so easily.)
Like Hamlet's father is literally killed by poison dropped in his ear, Demetrio's mind/heart/soul is poisoned by lies he is told by woman whose selfish actions led to death of his younger brother whom he raised in role of father after death of parents. Hero later tells his beloved (after he's hurt defending her & unborn child) that she is "mi medicina", able to cure anything.
Flowers and leaves (real or in paintings, fabric & other furnishings, lamp shades in floral shape) are abundant in surroundings frequented by Demetrio and spirited young woman he falls in love with--in spite of his suspecting she caused death of only relative left on his family tree.
Because he values family so highly, this painful loss spurs him to try to avenge what seems act by heartless woman who craved wealth and position over respecting human life. He says, "Por dinero, se roba, se mata, se muiere." (For money, people rob, kill, die.) Her parasitism seems liked to weeds/"mala hierba" to be uprooted.
Dead leaves are brushed aside by Demetrio before "lagrimas & sangre" argument with priest trying to dissuade him from continuing plan for revenge by making a woman pay with tears for shed blood of his brother and aborted child.
Like Shakespeare's HAMLET, Demetrio teeters on the edge of insanity over conflicting urges to avenge death of family member (as does student Prince re Cain & Abel situation with uncle) or affirm life with Ophelia, associated with flowers in her mad scene after being spurned by her lover who killed her father. (Hey, "Will" wrote to hook & entrance a paying audience too!)
Demetrio had been working in Europe, where he was highly respected for his work as Environmentally conscious engineer, which heroine Veronica says is greatly needed in highly polluted Mexico City (urban area--like New York--often simply called Mexico, sometimes D.F. for Districto Federal, like Washington D.C. Veronica (which means "true image") later comments that city's pollution or contamination is not just physical. In LM, smoke also becomes symbol of moral corruption or lies.
Story doesn't condone or really promote smoking, seen in cigarettes, pipe & cigars to indicate hidden lies or presence of other deceit--romantic leads never smoke, tho antagonists puff away in private. Honorable banker Teodoro finally quits smoking "puros" after heart attack provoked by mendacious Virginia. For same reason--to prove his love for wife--Dr Moguel goes on the wagon. Both husbands jokingly call themselves "mandilon", tied to wife's apron strings (also translates as weakling, coward). Sara warns them, "don't say anything you may regret".
There's also sub-plot focusing on unglamorous side of drug addiction about two acting student friends of Veronica's, relapsing after temptation by antagonist Santiago (Virginia's partner in crime) who preys on them. Young addicts will come to see they are not only are hurting themselves, but also family members who care about them, one paying ultimate cost with their own life. Drug lord Don Natto (who says he actually makes higher profit in crooked business deals like extortion) is opposite number of chivalric Frenchman Andre Belot--whom Veronica calls her "fairy GODFATHER", best friend, even father.
Santiago is described by priest's sacristan as looking like Satan himself (aka the Father of Lies). But he's also Professor of Literature--who wickedly puts on act of prissy academic at huge party where main characters meet at beginning of LM.
Natural personality of "Santi" resembles witty, worldy, entertaining Mary Crawford in Jane Austen's MANSFIELD PARK, whom many readers prefer to nominal heroine of novel, "good girl" Fanny Price that many feel is boring prig (tho suitable match for "hero", a Parson-to-be who shaped views of his adopted almost-orphan cousin)--a sort of hint at Victorian values to come.
See "Rural Morality" in seasons stressed in MANS-FIELD PARK (like symbolic title of Victorian novel VANITY FAIR) article on Wikipedia. Traditional song in Spanish about yearly return of "Golondrinas" (Swallows, like famed ones of San Juan Capistrano) is on soundtrack of CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER, connecting birds usual return with annual return of human migrant harvesters--but with melancholy message when sung by Carmenza thinking that she won't ever see Don Octavio come back again; and his grandson Sebastian has been waiting fruitlessly at hacienda for the return of Gaviota.
Austen's MANSFIELD PARK also has famous section where characters rehearse amateur theatrical, using this as cover to conduct flirtations, especially between worldly fashionable newcomers & those more strictly principled or already engaged to marry rich but stupid man. In LM, as yet unaware of Virginia's many deceptions & outright crimes, her uncle Teo says that altho Veronica is the one who studied acting for a career (she enjoys being anyone without restrictions), he feels it is Virginia who is truly theatrical in everyday life, like her act of being sensitive to criticism, fainting to avoid questioning.
Bit of Brit Lit history follows: Anyone who thinks Jane Austen was prim, proper & inexperienced because she never married, should read book A FINE BRUSH ON IVORY: an appreciation by Richard Jenkyns, especially explanation of Mary Crawford's joke that Edmund--tho he has a crush on her--finds in bad taste (page 126). If "Jane" lived in 20th century, I picture her as being like TV writer Helene Hanff whose letters were published in 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD.
One of Jane's nieces on "higher social level" said aunt was not "refined", a trait Austen satirized in insipid Lady Middleton in SENSE & SENSIBILITY--a sort of silent clotheshorse for expensive fashion entirely lacking personality or intelligence--daughter of vulgar, voluble, yet very kind & practical Mrs. Jennings).
Santiago's actions toward end of story suggest true repentance--tho morality & effectiveness of his attempt to take justice into his own hands to stop Virginia from committing further evil are debatable.
Question raised by Santi--who has great sense of humor--shrugged off by Virginia as they snack on junk food in bed while watching junk TV (another contrast with healthy protagonists who eat lots of fresh fruits & veggies, and often read books): Will Demetrio notice on Wedding night that Veronica truly is what Virginia is in-name-only? One answer could be reason why women used to use side-saddles when riding horseback. (Clio in PALF may be named after mother of god of wedding celebrations, linked to Q&A theory support.)
In 1950's book & film versions of LM and CORAZON SALVAJE, tho protagonists are in fact wed, couples never consummated marriage, only implying it will happen after fade-out kiss at end, what Pamela Regis terms "betrothal", saying sex scenes are NOT required in romance novels. 1990's viewers--influenced by Hollywood product--were more impatient about expectations.
Similar is name change in CS--Juan del Diablo's ship in novel is called Luzbel (literally lovely light, euphemism for Lucifer). In 1990's version, after ship called Satan with horned figure head is destroyed, Juan names new one "Santa Monica" after beloved wife who says even kings have illegitimate birth like her husband, "b" word almost said about baby in 1945 CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT.
In LM & CS early versions, lack of consummation is reason spouses could get annulment from Catholic church, legal strategy Sebastian almost uses in CAFE to get rid of Lucia--before she decides to go ahead with artificial insemination without asking him (and turns out, proceedure never took place, as she is already pregnant old fashioned way by one of her 3 lovers, 2 of whom are married).
In scene where source of lie is finally exposed at hacienda, unused blue ash tray is seen (Virginia's color symbolizing her underhanded manipulations "debajo la agua" contrasting with Veronica's frank & open enlightening brilliant sun yellow).
After Vero realizes she's expecting a baby, she's seen reading books about pregnancy. Demetrio is impressed & pleased that because mother's milk is important for health of child, she intends to breast-feed; he then feeds her broccoli--such good role models!
In old movies, cigarettes had other symbolic meanings, like byplay with stubbing out or who lights their own or others indicating who is or is not interested in relationship with other characters, used frequently in 1940's movies about independent career women LAURA and CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT. As during era of Hollywood Hay's Code, avoiding explicit depictions on screen to make suitable for wider audiences, can result in visuals that are more clever and creative.
1940's movies such as CASABLANCA leave to imagination of adult viewers to deduce what happens between characters between night & morning. ("Suficientes grandicitos para saber" is used by actor Andy--involved with protegee of Svengali Kurt--to deflect older producer "father figure" in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA from investigating what pair is really doing.)
BTW, 1944 film noir LAURA, as well as 1996 hit Colombian telenovela LA VIUDA DE BLANCO, are both inspired by classic mystery novel by Wilkie Collins THE WOMAN IN WHITE, tho are very different. Treatment of her grown children in BLANCO by Dona "Perfecta" is similar to Abuela's in ENCANTO. Telenovela also has gender swap likeness to character in Dicken's GREAT EXPECTATIONS.
Public Service Announcement at start of 2 DVD set of LM underlines many Mexican telenovelas are morality plays--even subgenre known as narco-novelas (see clue in GoodReads review of FB3 SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE screenplay, seed / idea for study I neither need nor want to pursue which could be subtitled "There & back again". To find, "search review text" for word "telenovelas").
(In PSA, dad boasts how "intelligente" he is for buying pirated copy of movie that hasn't even opened in theaters yet. Parents of little boy are then horrified at lesson they're inadvertently teaching when son proudly says he is smart too, for perfect "pirated" test paper copied from a class mate.)
Often quoted in Mexican telenovelas is saying "pobre--pero honrado" (poor but honorable). Similar to this are lyrics to famous song EL REY: "Con dinero y sin dinero yo hago siempre lo que quiero y mi palabra es la ley", which might be translated "my word is my bond--I can't be bought or made to grovel." One famous rendition of song is by actor/singer Vicente Fernandez who also sings theme song of LA MENTIRA--Mexican version of getting Frank Sinatra or Elton John.
Affectionately known as "Chente", he'd picked song "Me voy a quitar de en medio" remembering earlier versions of LM story. One phrase, "llenaste de lodo mi mundo de recuerdos" seems visually represented by symbolic use of color brown--"you filled with mud (or sullied) my world of memories". His status as icon of the people is one reason he's in LM "entradas".
Also in need of healing in LM are relationships: while experiencing, then overcoming mistreatment by spouse, courageous & compassionate Veronica also helps other women, such as her cook Hildarga who with her brave little daughter, fled husband who beat her.
Wife of Dr. Moguel also suffers until inspired by Veronica's example; she leaves her husband who may have started getting drunk after feeling disappointed in his career & making his wife feel she was reason they had no children, hiding fact HE is infertile. But even before he turns over new leaf, he did provide free care & medicine for the poor, like Demetrio shows respect & concern for people who work for him. Eventually reunited older couple adopts orphan child.
For complete reconciliation without lingering doubts or resentment, both romantic protagonists must experience epiphany realizing that "to err is human, to forgive divine".
Veronica will see "en carne propia" (in her own person/flesh) how easy it is to jump to conclusions, make mistakes interpreting what you see & hear. Related expressions on this universal, painful, necessary lesson toward maturity and compassion: "What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander", "a taste of your own medicine" or Spanish version "tomar una sopa de su propio chocolate" (take a sip of your own chocolate).
Second chances are given for people who show true repentance, humble themselves before God, like kneeling Demetrio makes a 2nd vow at his brother's grave, asking Priest as his witness he has renounced his earlier plan of vengance.
Early hint that although mistaken, he wasn't all bad, is given at wedding ceremony revealing his full name--which in Hispanic culture has mother's maiden name after father's name--includes Santa Maria.
Non-Catholics may not know that persons who commit suicide could not be buried in hallowed ground, reason why Demetrio asks if his brother was given Christian burial, which Padre Williams assures him he did, feeling young man was good & also gave him Last Rites as seen in first Episode of CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER at Octavio's death bed.
Distinction is made between two expressions for giving birth: "aliviar" means to be relieved or recover from--so has connotation pregnancy is an illness. "Dar luz" is prefered by modern couple, literally "to give or present (child) to the light".
Veronica's bedroom in FN home includes angel/cupid figures on heavenly blue walls; at Hacienda La Flor, her sun yellow bedroom (which I think becomes new baby's room when wife reconciles with her husband) has reproduction of famed Virgen of Guadalupe.
Carmen In PALF is devoted to Virgen as well, and her baby will be named for deceased grandmother Lupita (nickname that comes from the Virgen) whose last wish brought together future parents of child. Virgen Mary is depicted as standing on a sickle-moon, so little Lupita will represent new moon for her parents "Sun & Planet Earth" (who are said to have magnetic attraction for each other) and had recently completed world tour of singing Star mother-to-be.
1998 LA MENTIRA combines two storytelling frameworks: THE HERO'S JOURNEY described by Joseph Campbell (which George Lucas said helped inspire STAR WARS) was basis of book THE WRITER'S JOURNEY by Disney executive Christopher Vogler, whose projects include LION KING. Lesser-known HEROINE'S JOURNEY by a woman psychologist is more of a transformative inner journey of self-acceptance and reconciliation with the feminine (see Wikipedia article) and may be another influence for ENCHANTED HACIENDA.
Because two pivotal scenes are set at night, viewers may not notice both take place at base of intertwined tree trunks, first as location for Ricardo's death, later symbolically re-used for what turns out to be conception of child--guess who baby is named for as sign of re-birth?
Another mirroring: tenderness between reconciled couple in church used as community storm shelter, could be seen as heart-felt renewal of marriage vows, in same place as erroneous announcement of his death.
1993 CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER also incorporates old custom of inherited Family bed. Place where patriarch breathed his last, is also where children of his heir will be conceived with love. Epilogue 7 years later introduces "new crop" of Vallejo family showing personality traits & interests they inherited.
Married couple deeply in love & reconciled use double entendre in one cute scene: after winning horse race taking advantage of Demetrio's distraction, Vero teases that he's "very slow". He replies, "Slow, am I?", dismounts, then carries her in his arms to lie down among grass & flowers in order to replace desperate night under the Tree of Death with much happier tender moments. (If you didn't guess earlier, reason he emphasized wanting to give his bride ungelded stallion as wedding present is also symbolic.) Just one of fun scenes where loving couple make up for lost time while they were estranged.
Among these (as Preview of Coming Attractions): Playful pillow fight where she shrieks with laughter helps erase scary fights at the hacienda between sworn enemies. Night when heartbroken, she gets herself drunk, is countered much later by her getting Demetrio tipsy on tequila to provide excuse to delegate another man so he doesn't have to escort "resbalosa" Nicole back home to her Uncle Andre's in dark.
Veronica (who isn't drinking, because she is pregnant--stressing to unwelcome guest Nicole--"by my husband") then tries to tell Demetrio her concern about whether he really still loves her. Hazily amorous, he says "Let's continue this conversation in bed". Giggling, she agrees on racing to see who gets there first, tho it's more like a 3-legged race because of embrace.
They don't bother to turn on a light; he almost topples on her with Tarzan-like yelp, provoking laughter from both. Like similar sound actor makes in CAFE when carrying Gaviota out of water onto beach, could be inspired by TV commercial actor made for Toyota truck, among his first acting jobs on TV, playing Tarzan who because he has "Chita" for company, isn't interested in a "muchachita"--until apparently he meets Jane.
Disney 1999 TARZAN's Spanish version was voiced by CORAZON SALVAJE male protagonist Eduardo Palomo. English-only staff unaware his striking likeness to character predated animated film, instead thought actor really got into the role. Singer/actress Lucero voiced role of Jane; tho working from script, she says she changed some lines into her own words.
Lucero married singer Mijares who sang title song for 1993 CORAZON SALVAJE. They met when as teenager she made movie ESCAPATE CONMIGO which reminds me a bit of WIZARD OF OZ. When CS was aired in Spain, different theme song was performed by Placido Domingo, an example of level of talent that telenovelas can access.
And yes, that is PHIL COLLINS on TARZAN soundtrack singing in Spanish. As per Disney fandom Wiki, Collins recording of Spanish version of "You'll Be In My Heart" (En Mi Corazon) is his only appearance on Billboard's Hot Latin tracks. Another TARZAN song "Two worlds, one family" (in Spanish "Un ser, dos mundos son") might be applied to bilingual co-existing.
As Ecker explained in online PEOPLE EN ESPANOL magazine's 2021 FESTIVAL EN CASA, he had difficulty breaking into either Anglo or Hispanic markets because as fluent speaker of both English & Spanish, he didn't fit stereotypes of what was American or Latino. He finally got a commercial in Spanish--but on radio, where his "gringo" appearance couldn't be seen!
His working as waiter/bartender helped him get bit part in 5th season of WEBSTER tv series serving champagne in flashback where boy's adoptive parents (married in real-life) meet on a cruise ship. He also worked as waiter at party given by Kevin Costner for DANCES WITH WOLVES, longing to ask if star could give him job in a film. Finally, he got role playing German colonist in Colombian telenovela based on historical novel.
Another sweet LM scene is largely off-screen, when he hopefully asks (she already running water in bathroom out of sight) if she will invite him to share hot-water in shower. His athletic bounding out of bed at her "Si!" is reminiscent of how, much earlier, he literally leapt like Superman into saddle in order to use phone at church to call for helicopter to hospital after her accident. (Instant replay & freeze frame time)
Day after they meet, there's Equal Oportunity eye candy (in Spanish, tastier "taco de ojo"): Veronica poolside in orange (warning signal?) bikini is surprised by detective Demetrio showing up in tennis shorts (Nice serve, D.!) When he lies down next to her on double-capacity chaise lounge after Bety leaves to dress, foreshadows times future spouses will talk in bed.
Among these is frank conversation set in hotel room where three round lit candles set on parts of branches represent parents & their unborn child.
Citing some favorite scenes out of chronological order is intentional to avoid so-called spoilers by presenting more as "preview of coming attractions". Many great moments won't be mentioned here at all, so hope readers will become viewers to discover why fans watch & enjoy LM over and over again.
As in 1994 version of CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER, male protagonist shows some traditionally feminine traits such as nuturing offspring. In 1998 LA MENTIRA, Demetrio (behaving like his namesake, the goddess Demeter) saves the lives of mare giving birth & her foal by turning breach birth in the womb; on same night in story, female protagonist Veronica protects another young woman by shooting gun at intruder trying to kill her, a more traditionally masculine act.
After high-handed treatment from now independent wives working for pay at export company Belver, humbled husbands condole over coffee, trying to figure out next step in attempts to get women to return with them.
Demetrio is doubtful, "especially due to (hormonally emotional) state" of Veronica, indicated by using silent hand-gesture of growing belly over his own trim torso. Doctor's one-word query, "Pastel?" means slang "Bun in the oven?!" Demetrio answers with nod & expressive look. Earlier, pregnant father claimed he's craving ice cream or chocolate cake--hint he knows her secret--provoking smile she tries to hide. His beaming happily after reading medical report is "tan tierno"!
(Her figuratively dashing cold water on joy he wants to share could be seen as payback for having rug pulled out from under her expectations on first night at the hacienda, one example of revisiting previous elements with different twist outcomes.)
As part of the Heroine's Journey, in act of forgiveness for being abandoned by her long-missing mother--who was only about 17 when she became pregnant--Veronica gives blood to save woman she accidently shoots (believing male assassin had returned). Later, her mother donates blood to save daughter after younger woman herself gives birth. Transfusion bag is reminiscent of maternal umbilical cord connection.
Continuing in theme of "all in the family", actor who plays Veronica's uncle/adoptive father is real-life father of actress who plays his adopted daughter. Real-life wife of romantic leading man is screenwriter who created mini-novela re-uniting LM's two leads made during period that Gaviota calls "en plan de mama". In biographical documentary, actor quotes his wife (former actress herself in CAFE) to show she understands differences between on-screen & real &ife.
The three are still friends, getting together for his celebrated lemon drop margaritas. He also enjoys cooking--his favorite of their wedding gifts were cook books--which in between acting jobs, must be very helpful when married to woman whose work as writer can't be limited to a rigid 9 to 5, weekends-off schedule (a woman's work is never done).
J.K. Rowling said something like, pre-fame, she was the world's worst secretary; rather than taking notes at a meeting, she was really scribbling down ideas for her own stories. Female protagonist of ENCHANTED HACIENDA may reflect her creator's own experiences when gripped by inspiration. EH parallels LM community celebration at christening with book signing for first novel.
Toward end of 2021 PALF is Movie Premiere combined with announcement of film star's "new project"--pregnancy! In LM, tho Veronica turns down starring role in a telenovela in favor of going to live with new husband in remote hacienda, she
doesn't become "mere housewife". (There is discussion between men & women characters about how running a household & raising a family is important work, yet often not noticed or valued. My own mother recounted how life insurance agent back in "dark ages" pointed out she should also be insured, because to replace what she did as full-time mom wouldn't be cheap.)
Veronica does become partner in export business Bel-ver with Andre Belot. Judging by how she led rescue mision to help area after natural disaster, I speculate she will also become force behind building of a hospital, school, and perhaps theater/cultural center in town that was impoverished before new life was brought by her arrival. She may become mayor, like young woman in real life was alcalde for area where novela was filmed. (Youtube video "Jardin Encantado Hacienda Santo Tomas Jalisco".)
Toward end of LM, "two birds with one stone" plot strategy has match made between people who will understand from their own personal experience how it felt to be obsessed with someone who never encouraged this unreturned feeling. Also, Vero's best friend Bety (Beatriz) seems like she will be able to keep in line Juan's pal Carlitos (who had cynical view of matrimony).
Four other new marriages will increase family circle of former "orphans" Veronica and Demetrio. I also have ideas for two more matches among characters--like Portia in GONE-AWAY LAKE by Elizabeth Enright re Fairy Tales, I'd like to know "what happened next?"
As tribute to crafts of acting and writing, during hiatus caused by Screenwriter & Actors Guilds' strikes, I strongly recommend spending time waiting for new productions to reach big & small screens by catching up on historic, highly entertaining classic telenovelas on demand, opening up "a whole new world" to explore.
P.S. Deliberate exaggeration of genre tropes CORAZON APASIONADO on Roku has community celebration finale, where along with family betrothals, former ranch-hand/city chauffeur Hero announces he finally completed degree in agriculture to assist female owner in running Hacienda La Generala (pet name Teo gives Sara "who must be obeyed" in LM), named after women soldiers of Mexican Revolution. Both grandmother & grand-daughter she raised in her own image as "Duena" are similar to commanding "Dona" made famous by actress of Golden Age of Mexican film, Maria Felix.
Frankly, I fast-forwarded thru other sisters' saintly "sufrida", teen trauma drama & gal pal Emperatrice storylines to focus on gender swap Cinderella story of protogonists with tropical version of "snowbound in cabin" scene maybe foreshadowed by his kissing horse Tormenta/Storm like in old cowboy movie serial. Don't discount fortune-telling tart with heart of gold, ex of man who thinks protagonist is her dead mother he wasn't allowed to wed because he was poor and lower social class (like our humble "pero honrado" Hero) now either haunting him or returned to life. Tale is even more tangled than this sounds. ROTFL joke when hero is compared to horse, one of some only grownups may catch.
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The more I re-watch classic novelas such as LA MENTIRA, the more I see, connect & admire. In opening scene of story, note stone urn with two faces, flowers & vine. Watch carefully for many details that will stress important elements.
As in Shakespearean plays, main themes are introduced in light-hearted skit between Fernandez-Negrete mansion's houseman Marcos & annoyed cook/cleaner. He teases her by mispronouncing her name, foreshadowing identity mix-up between daughters of the house, Virginia & Veronica.
After mariachi band serenades Veronica, Iresema/Mirasema will tell how she broke up with suitor in her hometown, even tho he (on much smaller scale) also serenaded her--but he could never remember her name.
Even later, when Marcos is sent away to protect his life because he is witness against attempted assassin, this may soften cook's heart toward him, like in more serious treatment of plot point enacted by main characters (in Shakespeare, often royalty, masters of servants), one of 8 required narrative elements Pamela Regis book explains, "the ritual death".
Sirius Black tells his godson Harry Potter (re Barty Crouch) that key to a man's character is not how he treats his equals, but how he treats his social inferiors. Selfish Virginia treats service staff at mansion like doormat to wipe her shoes. In contrast, Veronica considers "ama de llaves" (chatelaine) housekeeper Tonita as grandma she never had (tho young woman's adoptive mother Sara initially considers this "proof" of low breeding by parents rumored to be trash--eventually truth comes out their death/disappearance were due to noble sacrifices).
Veronica later invites Tonita to become nana for her baby at hacienda; older woman promises to hand knit layette for child, apparently crocheting pastel green baby blanket incorporating symbolic leaves & "V" stitches- -I wish blanket pattern had been published for fans to make their own!--seen in wonderfully sweet scene where doting new parents point out how child resembles the other (Vero saying how infant's pout is like when his father sternly compresses his lips LOL--reminiscent of how in Austen's PRIDE & PREJUDICE, Mr. Darcy's little sister is alarmed by sister-in-law Lizzie's irreverence toward almost feared powerful brother/father figure whose word had been law.
Wealthy & powerful adoptive parents of two girl cousins have names evoking royalty. Teodoro means "gift of God", tho often simply called Teo (or Tio/uncle, which sounds similar) also seen in word "theology", study of God. His favorite of two daughters is Veronica, whom he called "divina" and full of happiness--despite having painful childhood. Her deceased father was his best friend, killed in revenge for helping Teo against an enemy re crooked stock market dealings.
Teo's sometimes snooty wife Sara (related to Czar, meaning Princess), is conservative like her husband, believing in traditional values. This is why Demetrio, altho not knowing of grand party at Juan's family home, turns up that night wearing formal three-piece suit. When Bety comments he's older then them, Vero says most young men they know are still half-grown boys (who tend to wear casual tee shirts like little kids). Being "father" to brother is likely why he hadn't married.
Bety wonders if Vero might marry him, although so far no one can control her--Vero seems intrigued by fact that Demetrio might be strong enough to do so. But much later she tells him, "I'm too much woman for you" and literally closes iron gate in his face when he attempts reconciliation--foreshadowed by traffic light turning red when he thinks to himself she will probably tell him to go to hell, "but I have to try". Teodoro calls him "obsesivo", flipside of positive trait when called "persistant".
LM--like another classic telenovela based on book CORAZON SALVAJE--explores "nature versus nurture" debate including theories for child rearing and origin of individual personality. Sara is relieved Juan didn't fall in love with an European girl, who to old-fashioned Mexicans, have reputation of lax morals. Unknown to Sara, who thought she raised "angelic" Virginia to be perfect wife for her son, she's actually been "nourishing in her bosom" a far worse serpent or "bad seed".
When Veronica comes home still wearing sloppy costume from studio audiition, her part seems like famous stories about Cinderellas from bottom of society played by Thalia--the Mary Pickford of her day--in 3 separate telenovelas MARIA MERCEDES, MARIMAR or MARIA LA DEL BARRIO, the latter about girl who literally lives in garbage dump picking thru trash from better off upper classes.
Juan is no party-going playboy. During his 12 years of study & work in Europe, he took trip to war-torn Bosnia that he tells his father strengthened his views against those who try to hurt other people.
Complex, multi-layered story has much food for thought. Demetrio's being torn between joy at holding his new son & terror at possibly losing its mother may be another version or reflection of his earlier emotional conflict of being simultaneously attracted to & loathing woman he thinks is responsible for death of his brother. I think Dr's wife Irma fears for his sanity, that he won't be able to support loss of his beloved wife, especially if child he fathered is the cause.
LM has delightful moments among the drama, like Ep. 55 restaurant scene where Juan asks still estranged spouses to help hoax Virginia (like in HAMLET's play-within-a-play) to test her promise to follow him anywhere because she loves him (rather than his money & social position) by making her think he plans to take her to live in the mountains in ruined house Demetrio says has no floor & roof that's gone with the wind, Veronica adding as afterthought there's lots of bugs & critters, impressive heat. Environmentally conscious, he knows asphalt tiles he says they can use for repair are as unhealthy as is "charming neighbor" Dr Moguel who's really mean drunk misogynist.
Again, note details--restaurant is decorated for Mexican Independence Day, Sept 16, with tri-color balloons & paper bells for "El Grito de Dolores" actual bell rung in 1810 still re-rung in late night ceremony by President of the Republic of Mexico.
Before Juan shows up, Demetrio has been telling Vero about historic European & native Mexican lovers--perhaps Hernan Cortes & la Malinche who he says died when testing man's poisoned food--she quips she'll have to be careful & already refused to let him order for her; their dinners seem intended "surf & turf" opposites (like when he'd twice meaningfully ordered "huevos divorciados"), his steak ranchera served on plank with mushrooms, to her tuna salad.
He wears jeans, which in Spanish are called "vaqueros", Spanish for cowboys--tho paired with suit jacket over polo shirt. Suited Maitre d' who waits on couple is very deferential to now-millionaire owner of tequila brand served at restaurant. "Capitan" also respectfully mentions to Juan & Virginia that their cousin is dining there, recognizing members of high society by sight.
Not sure if in CAFE, Sebastian's worry he lost briefcase with his "jeans"--because of unexpected encounter with Gaviota at airport--is due to his living in New York & London--or maybe "genes" refering to importance in story of so-called family jewels?
Playing in background at restaurant are two songs from earlier mariachi serenades that (separately) Demetro & Juan gave to Veronica, creatively evoking contrast between past and present emotions of protagonists, like memorable kiss in office, repetition of phrase "A quien le da pan que llore?" (Who turns down a free gift?"), an expression he'd used to wound her, loathing his own giving in to desire for her.
Demetrio will be "hoist by his own petard", when his own earlier plan backfires: ruined mountain house is where he'd planned to hide Veronica until "rescuer" Juan left. Jealous husband himself will be trapped there with injured Doctor--until rescued by valiant Veronica.
Sara's strategy to keep Juan from getting interested in adopted "sister/cousin" Veronica by sending girl away during his vacation visits also backfires--as does opposite plan in Austen's MANSFIELD PARK by trying to raise cousins as siblings, like proverb "man proposes, God disposes".
Related to reverence for Sacred Mother are traditional expectations of human wives & mothers. Book BREAKING OUT OF BEGINNER'S SPANISH has chapter "Invective & Obscenity" warning gringos who use such words are liable to be "downgraded", especially women, "although not fair, is true". Not to mention inadvertent innuendo--Mexican verbal art form formerly only practiced by men called the "albur"--as in online article by one British woman who discovered after raving about how she loved chili peppers, provoking guffaws from her listeners, blushed darker than the red hots. (see Wikipedia).
As in this game of wits, Gaviota knows how to repulse unwanted male advances, both physically & verbally. When man on city street calls her "mamacita", unphased, she looks him up & down, replies "if I was your mother, you wouldn't be so ugly". (See https://spanishunraveled.com/mamacita-meaning/ but also https://7esl.com/mamacita-meaning/ )
Sweet scene in LM with reconciled expectant parents, when Veronica laughs out loud in unfeigned delight at Demetrio saying--because she is expecting their child--"Now I can call you mamacita". Note that she is wearing his cream color sweater, like at chilly end of night of fiesta they first met, she (also symbolically) wore Juan's black suit coat over her backless evening gown because party with 80 VIP guests--not to mention journalists sent to cover high society event--was held in large garden of Fernandez-Negrete "rosa Mexicana" home.
When Teo sees guest list, he remonstrates: "This isn't a party--it's a demonstration en el Zocalo!" (Mexico City's vaste central plaza built in century long before invention of TV or even radio press conferences or shopping malls.
Another reference to famous locations in city is when Demetrio & Veronica go horseback riding in countryside around FN family rancho . Refering to Virginia's fear of horses, he wryly comments she's more suited to paper mache "burro" in Chapultepec Park for kids to sit on to get photos taken.)
FN mansion has extra guest rooms, so that Juan & Veronica (despite her slapping Demetrio's face after he unexpectedly kisses her in Cyrano de Bergerac-like scene when he takes Juan's place in rendevous on secluded terraza) both invite unexpected vistor Demetrio to stay overnight instead of risking city crime.
Hearing of this after the fact, Teo protests something like: "When I said "mi casa es su casa", I didn't expect someone to take it literally". (Being overnight at FN home gives Demetrio chance to witness--and misconstrue reason for--Virginia leaving Juan's bedroom. He's also available next day to follow, question, and fall deeper in attraction with Veronica.)
Remembering that many people in USA have ancestry--at least culturally--from strict views about pleasure like the Puritans (often contrasting with British descended from people happy to stay behind) may help explain different attitudes toward matters of intimacy. USA product may also lack playful & relaxed expressions seen in some Latin American entertainment.
Ecker says actng in Spanish "comes from different place" than English language roles. In ENCHANTED HACIENDA, I found it jarring when supposedly Hispanic characters "en el mero" heart of Mexico speak to each other in American English I find as bland as USA fast food that turns my stomach in commercials with Latinx actors. French fries, hamburgers, pizza, fish & chips, soda can't compare to tastier "tostones, ropa vieja, albondigas, bacalao, mofongo, malta".
Wikipedia entry on beverage malta cites article with quote on its magic, unconsciously echoing effect of Proust's madeleines.
Seen on LM are "sabrosa" savory, mouth-watering traditional native "comida" such as "pozole", "mole" & fresh tropical fruit that is also much healthier & nutritious than USA diet. In EH, Mexicans in their native land also drink imported beverages-- different from French Andre sometimes having cognac, or Padre Williams Scotch Whisky in memory of their own heritage.
Another example of "play acting" (often with all participants aware of the game) is scene when Veronica changes her mind about staying alone to think, and surprises her husband who's only wearing bathrobe in hotel room. He catches on that she's re-enacting a pickup scene with phrase "Hola, guapo. Porque tan solito?" she means as an apology. In turn, he tells her of all the nights he'd spent alone in hotel during their separation, to the point of fantasizing there would be a knock on the door--and it would be her, "tan bella como siempre, y enamorado de mi". She says "your wish (deseo) has come true".
Next morning, her mother phones hotel room to find out where daughter might be; tells Demetrio how pleased she is that Veronica slept with him. With double meaning, he uses a standard polite phrase "Dejame decirte, el gusto fue mio". ("Let me tell you, the pleasure was mine".)
Andre Belot has 21 year old niece Nicole he feels his sister didn't raise as she ought (apparently with those loose European morals). Girl cynically tells uncle that women only get pregnant to trap a man in marriage. From first time she sets eyes on Demetrio, she throws herself at him, though knowing he and Veronica are married & expecting child. Because of how Andre chivalrously helped Veronica, he must tread fine line between offending uncle & niece by being rude, but also not offending by accepting her offer of affair she says his wife won't see or know about--tho he stresses "I would see. I would know."
Two humorous scenes play with phrase "no tiene madre" meaning "shameless"--even stronger, "without grandmother"--involving Nicole & Andre (who christens yacht "Veronique" after his mother, puts it at the service of Veronica). French hearers don't understand angry wife, but amused Demetrio drags her away before she can make her meaning clear.
Like in CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER, depth or type of feelings between characters is signaled symbolically. Veronica is the brilliant, life-bringing sun, but Nicole is tiny camera flashbulb that the cook's little girl "La Mozita" complains hurts her eyes. In contrast, the child greatly admires & wants to be like Veronica, who takes girl she calls princesa riding on her golden horse.
Tho bold in wrong way, French girl is timid & unadventurous in ways that count, begging Veronica to stay with her the night her uncle is away (ignoring fact his many male employees are nearby) & men at La Flor are helping mare giving birth.
I suppose Nicole must have eaten escargot--but she refuses to try local delicacy Demetrio offers her as bocado (symbolically wrapped in green tortilla), the famous "guisano" of agave plants. (See "mezcal worm" on Wikipedia)
Getting fed up with Nicole following Demetrio around on the pretext of taking photos for an advertising brochure she herself suggests about the tequila making process, Veronica complains to her married friend Irma that all that's lacking is for younger woman to ask her husband to pose in the nude.
Even Demetrio tells Nicole that he's busy working & she should find something else to do. Her hopes are dashed when he says a beautiful picture would be of Veronica riding her horse in the agave fields.
With concerned Uncle Andre's seeming encouragement to teach girl a lesson after she slips husband note actually written by Vero & Irma to trick girl--he pretends to go along with "date" in tequila warehouse where avenging wives hide surprised, watching as if "amantes" are on a stage. (Priest sarcastically calls chastened schemers who confess to him "mis angelitos")
Upset women leave before seeing Demetrio decide to show his dangerous side that protects family he loves, in order to scare girl (who'd only seen his sweet side with wife) by holding her under waterfall of tequila so she can't get away, saying if she'd tried this with man who wasn't a gentleman (caballero) who respected women, she'd have traumatic experience wounding her for life (reason Rick in CASABLANCA helps Bulgarian newlyweds get money for visas so she won't sell herself to Renaud. See blog post on that classic film titled "Chivalry in Casablanca").
Priest is angered when servant girl--tho betrothed to good man who loves her--still dreams of becoming kept woman "al lado" (on the side) by her married handsome Patron. At beginning of story she also acts flirtatiously toward his younger brother, both times with no encouragement from men who may not even notice her, being in love with someone else.
Spanish "ofrecida" means woman who offers herself to man for selfish reasons like money, rather than true love. Demetrio tells Nicole: "Hacer el amor con amor es lo mejor que te puedes
pasar. Eso es lo que mantiene el mundo vivo. Pero cuando lo haces solo por capricho, nada mas porque se te antojes estar con alguien--no! Entiendelo." (Making love with love is the best thing that can happen to you. It's what keeps the world alive. But when you do it only for caprice, only for a whim to be with someone--no! Understand this.")
In PALF, criminal Nestor--who exploits women--calls Carmen "su segundo frente", assuming hero George has both older wife & young mistress (actually serial monogamy. George's only Church wedding "in front of God & the Virgen" will be with Carmen). Veronica wants a marriage that will last for a lifetime, like Teo & Sara's. (Tho her Aunt is shocked, Veronica & Demetrio approve of Sara's mature divorced sister Leti & her long-time admirer Don Jose, after they plan to wed, having pre-marital intimacy.)
I grew up hearing tales about Latin cultural double standards: women wrongly assumed to be sleeping with boss, or having affair with man merely for crossing street at same time, child fainting from hunger trying get help from father who failed to support his mistress & starving babies, lovely women outcast for being mixed race, unable to marry, only be a lover.
As avenger for such history (hopefully past), Veronica "jokingly" warns her husband, "If I ever catch you cheating, I'll "romper" (break, bust) "tu man... tu mano", which might be translated "your di**... your digit". He responds laughing,"Que mala es!"
Perhaps sign of change, or example of semi-dormant chivalry: in PALF, unlikely knight Juancho helps Gina--who reminds him of his own daughter--escape her male exploiters, like Gian Carlo helps girl in CAFE facing fate worse than death.
Motherly Tonita warns girl infatuated with handsome newcomer not to "salir con su Domingo siete", a saying refering to folk tale about doing something impulsively foolish, out of proper order such as "putting the cart before the horse" or for young women, "baby carriage before marriage". Demetrio repeatedly has difficulty stopping himself from doing what he longs to do, both before & after protagonists wed--ironically, at times interpreting this as "proof" she is heartless seductrice "sirena".
Nicole gets off easy. Tho he never strikes Veronica, he does come to blows five times with men in defense of his loved ones, including amusing scene when frustrated Demetrio & Juan give each other matching black eyes when both claim to be father of Vero's baby. Schoolyard type scrapping is broken up by Don Teodoro who gives bear-like swats to both "boys".
Dr Moguel then facetiously urges pair to kill each other. Sense of humor helps Demetrio see absurdity of quarrel. "Rivals" go talk at bar made of wood with carving of flowers. Cooled off Father-to-be feels confident wife would have never been with Juan.
Also fun in CAFE is bare-knuckle fist fight over worker wages that ends when friend steps in to knock out Sebastian "for his own good". Latter repays "the favor" later, friend laughing as he tells shocked wife "es cosa de hombres" (It's a male thing). Also in CAFE, Gaviota & Sebastian make business wager on outcome of a Colombian ancient ritual, sort of stylized "dance" between a man & woman armed with large knives One thanks the other for allowing "win" in favor of the workers.
Saying "make love, not war" seems related to old belief of warriors abstaining before battle from activity thought weakening (or at least lessens aggressivity). After seven years of marriage with Gaviota--and four children--once impulsive, almost pyromaniac celibate by separation from only woman he can love, Sebastian has become calm & gentle husband, father, farmer.
If only leaders--instead of sending young men & women to do their dirty work--could feel "en carne propria" result of violence against an "enemy" by personally engaging in bare-handed single combat, the world might be a better--or at least safer--place for innocent peaceful bystanders who just want to live and let live. LM story advises, don't play God to deal out mistaken "justice".
P.S. Reason why agave plant was thought to be goddess Mayahuel is given more explicitly in online Thoughtco article https://www.thoughtco.com/mayahuel-the-aztec-goddess-of-maguey-171570 - -in turn related to imagery of "unspoken comment" that appears early in FANTASTIC BEASTS: SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE (will try to include in GoodReads review of screenplay; to find, "search review text" for word "pantera"), and also Veronica's emphasis in LM on what she intends to do for her child's health.
