# Amor real

Amor real (English: Real Love) is a Mexican telenovela produced by Carla Estrada for Televisa, broadcast by Canal de las Estrellas (now known simply as Las Estrellas). It originally aired from June 9 to October 17, 2003. Amor real is a historical drama set in the Mexican post-independence period of the mid-19th century. The telenovela aired on Univision in the United States, REN TV in Russia and La 1 in Spain, among others. It was successfully distributed to many countries worldwide. In 2005, Amor real was released on DVD and it became the first telenovela to be released with English subtitles. Televisa has released an abridged DVD version of the telenovela in several countries.
The cast and crew of the telenovela received many accolades, including the TVyNovelas Award for Best Telenovela of the Year at the 22nd TVyNovelas Awards ceremony.

## Overview

In the mid-19th century, in a time of Victorian morality, challenging the rules of the aristocracy to which she belongs, Matilde Peñalver Beristáin, falls in love with Adolfo Solís, an army soldier with no fortune; trusting that her father, Hilario – a fair and kind man – will let her marry him. But her mother, Augusta, is determined to force Matilde to marry a rich man to save the family from bankruptcy. Manuel Fuentes Guerra is the perfect candidate. He is an honourable and handsome young man who has just inherited a vast fortune. Augusta ignores the fact that Manuel is the illegitimate son of Joaquín Fuentes Guerra, a powerful landlord who raped a native girl, and who only recognised Manuel as his heir on his deathbed.
Using all kinds of intrigues, Augusta and her son Humberto send Adolfo to prison and convince Matilde to believe that he is married and has children. Overwhelmed and in despair, Matilde surrenders to her mother's pressure and agrees to marry Manuel, especially after she learns that he has paid the family's debts. Adolfo escapes from jail and immediately goes to look for his beloved Matilde, who has just married Manuel. Desperate, Adolfo manages to secretly speak with Matilde to clarify the misunderstandings. Swearing they will love each other forever, they decide to run away, but Manuel discovers them. Deeply hurt, Manuel is not willing to give her up. He forces her to leave with him, despite her love for Adolfo. After arriving at Manuel's hacienda, Matilde has to put up with Antonia, the former administrator's daughter, who is in love with Manuel.
Meanwhile, Adolfo, after an intense and frantic search finds Matilde and, intending to bring her back, poses as Manuel's new administrator. Manuel, unaware of Adolfo's real identity, sympathises with him and gives him a special, friendly treatment. In spite of the situation, Adolfo has to admit that Manuel is a noble, fair man. At that point, Manuel and Matilde discover that they have been victims of Augusta and Humberto's deceit. As time goes by, the subtle attention and Manuel's avid desire end up conquering Matilde's heart. Suddenly one day, she realises that the love she felt for Adolfo has disappeared and that she's fallen in love with Manuel. Matilde tells Adolfo the truth and urges him to leave.
Heartbroken, Adolfo accepts his reality and leaves the ranch the same day, that Matilde announces to her husband that she's pregnant. The couple's happiness does not last long. Manuel discovers who his new administrator was and, in an instant, everything falls apart. Matilde's pleas and explanations cannot convince Manuel, he feels betrayed once again and cannot forgive her. Driven by anger, Manuel doubts his paternity and throws Matilde out of the hacienda. Soon after that, he starts a compromising relationship with Antonia that will later make his reconciliation with Matilde more difficult. Manuel and Matilde's relationship will suffer and prosper during times of civil unrest, political and societal intrigue, and subterfuge. Only time will tell whether or not they find 'Real Love' with each other or with someone new.

## Cast

* Adela Noriega as Matilde Peñalver y Beristáin Curiel de Fuentes-Guerra
* Fernando Colunga as Manuel Fuentes-Guerra Aranda
* Mauricio Islas as Adolfo Solís / Felipe Santamaría
* Helena Rojo as Augusta Curiel de Peñalver y Beristáin
* Ernesto Laguardia as Humberto Peñalver y Beristáin Curiel
* Ana Martín as Rosario Aranda
* Mariana Levy as Josefina de Icaza de Peñalver y Beristáin
* Chantal Andere as Antonia Morales
* Mauricio Herrera as Urbano de las Casas
* Ana Bertha Espín as Prudencia Curiel
* Rafael Rojas as Amadeo Corona
* Mario Iván Martínez as Renato Piquet
* Leticia Calderón as Hannah de la Corcuera
* Julio Alemán as Joaquín Fuentes-Guerra
* Ricardo Blume as Hilario Peñalvert
* Yolanda Mérida as Juana Domínguez vda. de Palafox
* Maya Mishalska as Marianne Bernier de la Roquette / Marie de la Roquette Fuentes-Guerra
* Matty Huitrón as Superior Mother
* Raquel Morell as María Clara Curiel de Heredia
* Gastón Tuset as Gervasio Morales
* Óscar Bonfiglio as Sixto Valdez
* Harry Geithner as Yves Santibáñez
* Manuel "Flaco" Ibáñez as Remigio Quintero
* Paco Ibáñez as Gregorio Heredia Carrasco
* Toño Infante as Benigno Villa
* Luis Xavier as José María de Icaza
* Adalberto Parra as Delfino Pérez
* Héctor Sáez as Silvano Arzola
* Kika Edgar as Catalina Heredia de Solís
* Íngrid Martz as Pilar Piquet de Márquez
* Jorge Vargas as Prisco Domínguez Cañero
* Beatriz Sheridan as Damiana García
* Carlos Cámara as Ramón Márquez

## Production

   "The work of our extremely dedicated cast and crew, along with the extraordinary collection of visual elements — lighting, camera work, custom-made wardrobe, attention to detail — allows the viewers to experience the characters' emotions and also transport themselves completely to another era."
* Amor Real is an adaptation of the telenovela, Bodas de odio, from 1983, based on the novel of the same name, written by Caridad Bravo Adams. For this version it was adapted by the Italian writer, María Zarattini.
* The telenovela was filmed at the ex-hacienda of Tetlapayac and the surrounding area in the state of Hidalgo for a lapse of eight months. Because the story takes place in mid-19th century Mexico, sets of buildings and plazas had to be built.
* The production, required the participation of over 1,000 actors, extras, technicians and artisans.
* Jorge Avendaño Lührs, Mexican pianist and composer, composed the original score (incidental music).
* The opening theme, "Amor Real", was written and performed by the Mexico-based duo, Sin Bandera.

## Reception
### Mexico's television ratings

| Timeslot | # Ep. | Premiere | Premiere | Finale | Finale | Rank | Season | Rating average |
| Timeslot | # Ep. | Date | Premiere Rating | Date | Finale Rating | Rank | Season | Rating average |
| Mondays—Fridays 9:00 pm | 95 | June 9, 2003 | 26.5 | October 17, 2003 | 43.1 | No. 1 | 2003–04 | 29.4 |
While on the air in Mexico, the telenovela registered very high ratings, especially in the final weeks of its airing when the telenovela showed an average of 35 points. During the whole five-month run in Mexico, it remained on the No. 1 spot, with a 60% market share, as reported by Ibope Mexico. Due to the enormous popularity of Amor Real, the entire telenovela was reruned for the second time after a public demand, only four months after the original airing finalized.

### International success

Besides the success in Mexico and Latin America, Amor Real was internationally successful, too. When the telenovela aired during prime time on Univision, it frequently managed to beat leading U.S. networks in the ratings. The series aired on Univision in the U.S. with no subtitles, however. It ranks among Univision's highest rated telenovelas of all time. The telenovela also had successful results when it aired in Spain, on the Spanish national television, TVE, where it was shown in the afternoon, in 2005. In 2005, Amor Real was released on DVD and it became the first telenovela to be released with English subtitles. The DVD release had very successful sales in the U.S. The international DVD release of the telenovela, also included countries such as Canada, Puerto Rico, France, Italy and Spain.

## Awards and nominations

Here are some of the nominations and wins for Amor Real:
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Production | Carla Estrada | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Performance | Adela Noriega | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Performance | Ana Bertha Espín | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Performance | Ana Martín | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Performance | Beatriz Sheridan | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Performance | Chantal Andere | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Performance | Ernesto Laguardia | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Performance | Fernando Colunga | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Performance | Mariana Levy | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Performance | Mario Iván Martínez | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Performance | Mauricio Islas | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Performance | Rafael Rojas | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Outstanding Screenwriting Career | María Zarattini | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Best Direction of the Cameras | Alejandro Frutos | Won |
| 2003 | Califa de Oro Awards | Best Director | Mónica Miguel | Won |
| 2003 | Arlequin Award | Best Production | Carla Estrada | Won |
| 2003 | Mexico's National Association of Broadcasters | Micrófono de Oro Awards | Carla Estrada | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Production | Carla Estrada | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Actress | Adela Noriega | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Actor | Fernando Colunga | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Antagonist Actress | Maya Mishalska | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Antagonist Actor | Mauricio Islas | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Leading Actress | Helena Rojo | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Leading Actor | Mauricio Herrera | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Co-lead Actress | Chantal Andere | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Co-lead Actor | Ernesto Laguardia | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Supporting Actress | Ana Bertha Espín | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Supporting Actor | Mario Iván Martínez | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Male Special Performance | Rafael Rojas | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Artistic Lifetime Achievement – Award to an Actress | Maty Huitrón | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Artistic Lifetime Achievement – Award to an Actor | Ricardo Blume | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Direction | Mónica Miguel | Won |
| 2003 | Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists) | Best Adaptation | María Zarattini | Won |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Best Telenovela | Carla Estrada | Won |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Best Actress | Adela Noriega | Won |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Best Actor | Fernando Colunga | Won |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Best Antagonist Actress | Chantal Andere | Nominated |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Best Leading Actress | Ana Martín | Won |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Best Leading Actor | Carlos Cámara | Won |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Ana Bertha Espín | Won |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Ernesto Laguardia | Won |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Best Musical Theme | Sin Bandera (composers: Leonel García and Noel Schajris) | Nominated |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Best Original Story or Adaptation | María Zarattini | Won |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Best Direction | Mónica Miguel Eric Morales | Nominated |
| 2004 | 22nd TVyNovelas Awards | Special Award for Telenovela with the Highest Rating in 2003 | Amor real | Won |
| 2004 | Laurel de Oro Awards | Best Telenovela | Carla Estrada | Won |
| 2004 | Laurel de Oro Awards | Best Actress | Adela Noriega | Won |
| 2004 | Laurel de Oro Awards | Best Actor | Fernando Colunga | Won |
| 2004 | Laurel de Oro Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Ana Martín | Won |
| 2004 | Laurel de Oro Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Mario Iván Martínez | Won |
| 2004 | Laurel de Oro Awards | Artistic Lifetime Achievement Award | Helena Rojo | Won |
| 2004 | Laurel de Oro Awards | Artistic Lifetime Achievement Award | Mauricio Herrera | Won |
| 2004 | Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana | Special Award | Amor real | Won |
| 2004 | 100 Mexicanos Dijeron | VIP Award | Amor real | Won |
| 2004 | Principios Award | Special Award | Amor real | Won |
| 2005 | ACE Awards | Best Scenic Program | Carla Estrada | Won |
| 2005 | ACE Awards | Best Actress | Adela Noriega | Won |
| 2005 | ACE Awards | Best Actor | Fernando Colunga | Won |
| 2005 | ACE Awards | Best Direction | Mónica Miguel | Won |
| 2005 | Plaza de las Estrellas | Luminaria de Oro | Amor real | Won |
| 2005 | Plaza de las Estrellas | Luminaria de Oro | Carla Estrada | Won |