Mariana Mariana Poster

Mariana Mariana 1987

★ 6.420 votes85 min📅 1987-08-05

"She was his first love, she was his illusion, she was his daydream. Until they taught him that she was his sin too."

Set against the sunlit yet socially stratified streets of 1940s Mexico City, Mariana Mariana (1987) tells the poignant coming-of-age story of young Carlos, whose innocent heart is ensnared by his best friend's radiant mother.

Director: Alberto Isaac

Cast

Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
Carlos (adult)
Elizabeth Aguilar
Elizabeth Aguilar
Mariana
Saby Kamalich
Carlos' Mother
Aarón Hernán
Aarón Hernán
Carlos' Father
Luis Mario Quiroz
Luis Mario Quiroz
Carlos
Juan Carlos Andrews
Jim
Gerardo Quiroz
Gerardo Quiroz
Héctor
José Luis Cruz
José Luis Cruz
Profesor Mondragón
Adolfo Olmos
Rosales
Jun Kawabe
Toru

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mariana Mariana (1987) about?

Mariana Mariana follows a schoolboy in 1940s Mexico City who falls for his best friend's mother, drawn to her world of modernity and comfort despite their social differences. His innocent declaration of love leads to unexpected judgment and a collision between youthful passion and entrenched societal norms.

Who directed Mariana Mariana?

The film was directed by Alberto Isaac, a filmmaker known for his sensitive portrayals of human relationships and social dynamics in Mexican cinema.

Who stars in Mariana Mariana?

The leading roles are played by Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Elizabeth Aguilar, Saby Kamalich, Aarón Hernán, and Luis Mario Quiroz.

Is Mariana Mariana (1987) worth watching?

With its strong emotional core and period authenticity, Mariana Mariana offers viewers a compact yet resonant drama. While IMDb ratings are absent, its themes of love and repression remain compelling for fans of character-driven cinema. The 85-minute runtime makes it accessible without sacrificing depth.

How long is Mariana Mariana?

The film has a runtime of 85 minutes.

About Mariana Mariana (1987) — A Forbidden 1940s Love Story Caught Between Tradition and Desire

Set against the sunlit yet socially stratified streets of 1940s Mexico City, Mariana Mariana (1987) tells the poignant coming-of-age story of young Carlos, whose innocent heart is ensnared by his best friend's radiant mother. Directed with a keen eye by Alberto Isaac, this lyrical drama blends romance and restrained passion against a backdrop of post-revolutionary modernity. As Carlos, armed with adolescent idealism, crosses the threshold toward declaring his forbidden love, he is met not with acceptance but with the rigid disapproval of educators who brand his desire as sin. The film explores the clash between innocence and societal expectation, woven through the textures of family, longing, and moral constraint.

With its melancholic tone and understated performances, Mariana Mariana captures a fleeting moment where beauty and transgression exist in fragile balance. The contrast between the aspirational Americanized comforts of Mariana's household and the conservative norms of the era adds depth to this bittersweet portrait of first love gone awry.