Although this adaptation of Stefan Zweig's novella 'Letter from an unknown Woman' cannot begin to match Max Ophul's superlative version of 1942 it nevertheless has great merit and qualifies as a 'tear-jerker' par excellence.
Ricardo, the object of María's undying love, is a professional violinist so we are treated to parts of the Tchaikovsky and Beethoven concerti recorded for the film by the great Henryk Szeryng whilst Raúl Lavista has also contributed a haunting theme. The production design and cinematography are of the highest quality.
It is the performances of Arturo de Córdova as Ricardo and Marga López as María that leave an indelible mark. The simpatico between the two is truly remarkable and in retrospect is even more touching in that these marvellous artistes were to be married a few years later and remain so until de Córdova's death in 1973. He deservedly won an Ariel, the last of three, for his understated performance. What can one say of Margo López? She might not have possessed the 'wow' factor of Félix or del Rio but was indisputably one of the finest actresses of Mexico's Golden Age with a wide emotional range and her ability to touch the heart is never more apparent than here.
Tullio Demicheli's film has a magical, bittersweet quality of its own and to paraphrase the Bard: "If you have tears, prepare to shed them......."
Ricardo, the object of María's undying love, is a professional violinist so we are treated to parts of the Tchaikovsky and Beethoven concerti recorded for the film by the great Henryk Szeryng whilst Raúl Lavista has also contributed a haunting theme. The production design and cinematography are of the highest quality.
It is the performances of Arturo de Córdova as Ricardo and Marga López as María that leave an indelible mark. The simpatico between the two is truly remarkable and in retrospect is even more touching in that these marvellous artistes were to be married a few years later and remain so until de Córdova's death in 1973. He deservedly won an Ariel, the last of three, for his understated performance. What can one say of Margo López? She might not have possessed the 'wow' factor of Félix or del Rio but was indisputably one of the finest actresses of Mexico's Golden Age with a wide emotional range and her ability to touch the heart is never more apparent than here.
Tullio Demicheli's film has a magical, bittersweet quality of its own and to paraphrase the Bard: "If you have tears, prepare to shed them......."
