Sometimes a fun time, sometimes a dull time, but overall acceptable. The performances and the writing were somewhat questionable, with Gabriela Vergara definitely being the standout. The screenwriter being Mexican was noticeable, since the Colombian actors who were visibly filming in Bogotá would randomly speak like Mexicans sometimes. The premiere set this telenovela up as a campy over the top experience that should not be taken too seriously, but did not keep up with that energy, lowering the levels of fun considerably and recovering only occasionally. The premise was full of tropes and a bit basic, this could very easily be a series marketed for teenagers with Disney original levels of acting instead of a telenovela, I was confused as to what the target audience was supposed to be. More so than just "being beautiful", which is a rather shallow reading of its themes, I really enjoyed how it dabbled in the concept of identity + perception of the self (with Juliana having inner debates trying to draw the line between the concepts of Juliana and of Maritza, what is actually and me and what isn't) as well as mother-daughter relationships as complex as they are in real life, and motherhood in general (most specifically in Regina and Luzmila). Even though she didn't particularly excel at any of all of the very different roles she played, Paola Rey showed that she DOES have the range in character work, even if not so much so when it comes to acting. This could be her thesis. The character of Marcos was so stupid that it kept going back and forth from annoying to laughable, going to borderline horror film acting. All in all, it should have been campier and done more of what they did in the premiere and the finale, but also definitely bettered the levels of acting and the plot. Oh and the editing was atrocious, it features the worst montage I remember seeing in any telenovela. Wouldn't recommend watching but wouldn't recommend skipping either. It's fine.
