La ausente

Widower Jorge de la Cueva, whose wife has died in mysterious circumstances, falls for Mónica and marries for a second time, only to find that his late wife's presence hangs over the house..........

We could be forgiven for thinking that we are in Daphne du Maurier country here but of course being a Mexican film the emotional thermometer almost reaches boiling point. Matters are complicated further by his marriage arousing the envy of his sister-in-law Magdalena who secretly loves him and makes life for his new bride unbearable until his blood-sister Cecilia steps in and saves the day........

The casting and performances of the principals here is spot on. The character with an 'edge' is one that Arturo de Córdova plays to perfection and as the brooding, troubled Jorge he is simply superlative. This could not be a greater contrast for Rosita Quintana who had recently impressed as the mentally unbalanced nymphet in 'Susana' for Bunuel. As Mónica she initially looks as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but soon proves that still waters run deep. The honeymoon sequence is deeply sensual and the 'chemistry' between her and de Córdova is palpable. María Douglas is just right as the vixenish Magdalena whilst the film benefits greatly from the presence of Andrea Palma as Cecilia. She has succeeded in making a seamless transition from Prima Donna to character actress and is here working once more under the direction of her brother Julio Bracho.

The production values here are splendid and the film's glorious 'look' is courtesy of lighting cameraman Alex Phillips. The score is a little OTT but that after all is Raúl Lavista's style.

This is unashamed melodrama to be sure but what one critic termed 'the intelligence and wide cultural sensibilities' of director Julio Bracho make it so much more.