The time is 1821, and Mexican revolutionary Jose Juan Reyes (the handsome and formidable Pedro Armendariz) rides into the town of Cholula. He immediately rounds up the local bourgeoisie, with the intention of using those who are useful and disposing of the rest, including those who profess a dishonest attachment to the Revolution. He doesn't count on two factors: the moral intervention of his old seminary chum Rafael (Fernando Fernandez) and the burning hot contempt of a beautiful rich young thing (Maria Felix). The film starts off with a bang, and an extended early scene between Armendariz and Fernandez seems to imply the film will be a lengthy and earnest dissertation on Mexican political philosophy. Once Felix puts in an appearance, however, the film veers off in a slightly different direction, with some amusing comic romance scenes playing out between the rich man's daughter and the powerful general. It goes without saying that Enamorada was well shot by the great Gabriel Figueroa, and magnificent character actor Miguel Inclan (the blind man in Los Olvidados) has fun with his role as Reyes' loyal flunky Bocanegra (though not as much fun as he had in Fernandez' superior La Perla!). Though a little light on substance, Enamorada is still a very worthwhile motion picture.
