Cristina Guzmán is a 1968 Spanish drama film directed by Luis César Amadori and starring Rocío Dúrcal, Arturo Fernández, and Isabel Garcés.Bentley p.162 It is an adaptation of Carmen de Icaza's 1936 novel of the same name, which had previously been turned into a 1943 film. The project marks a distinct stylistic transition for Dúrcal, utilizing her established musical sensibilities within a more mature, dramatic narrative framework than her earlier teen-prodigy musical comedies.
Plot Cristina Guzmán (Rocío Dúrcal) is a young widow struggling to support herself and her young son by working as a language tutor in Madrid. Her routine is upended when she is approached by a wealthy young man named Alfonso (Arturo Fernández). Alfonso is stunned by Cristina's uncanny physical resemblance to his missing sister-in-law, Mara (also played by Dúrcal), who abruptly abandoned the family.
Alfonso's brother, Javier (Emilio Gutiérrez Caba), suffers from a severe heart condition, and his health has rapidly deteriorated due to the emotional devastation of his wife's desertion. Desperate to save his brother's physical and psychological well-being, Alfonso convinces a hesitant Cristina to temporarily move into their estate and impersonate Mara. Supported by a rigorous governess named Mónica (Isabel Garcés) and a faithful household assistant, Balbina (Rafaela Aparicio), the high-stakes masquerade successfully aids Javier's recovery. However, the elaborate ruse collapses into a dangerous series of emotional and legal crises when the real, volatile Mara unexpectedly returns to reclaim her position in the household.
Cast Rocío Dúrcal as Cristina Guzmán / Mara (Mariana Guzmán) Arturo Fernández as Alfonso Ribas Isabel Garcés as Mónica Emilio Gutiérrez Caba as Javier Mónica Randall as Laura Rafaela Aparicio as Balbina José María Caffarel as Dr. Montero Luis Morris as Goro Lola Herrera Pedro Marí Sánchez Juan Luis Galiardo as Jorge Alfonso del Real José Morales as Paco, the gardener
Production and Music The film was structured as a flagship high-budget release for Cesáreo González Producciones Cinematográficas alongside Cámara Producciones Cinematográficas, relying on standard distribution through Suevia Films.
Unlike Dúrcal's previous pop soundtracks, the scoring was composed by Adolfo Waitzman, who emphasized a dramatic, classical orchestration to underpin the suspense of the character's double-identity. Production tracking registers the negative editing format overseen by longtime collaborator Antonio Ramírez de Loaysa.
References
Bibliography Bentley, Bernard. A Companion to Spanish Cinema. Boydell & Brewer, 2008.
External links