What a fun Brazilian novela (soap opera) to watch!
"Força de um Desejo" ("The Strength of Desire" which is also known as "La Fuerza del Deseo" in the U.S.) not only has a romantic theme, a requisite factor for all novelas, it is also full of action, comedy, emotion, and lots of secrets. What's more, it contains a tantalizing murder mystery!
The story begins with Inácio Sobral and Ester Delmare. Inácio is the handsome, sensitive son of a wealthy coffee baron. Ester is a beautiful, smart, worldly and older courtesan with a heart of gold. Although an unlikely pair, the two fall in love and change each other's lives. When the couple is separated by one of the most vindictive characters in the history of a novela, Ester ends up marrying another man. The problem is that her new husband is the father of her true love - an important fact that she was unaware. A love triangle is formed between the father, son, and new wife - and that is where the true story begins.
The narrative is placed against the background of a spectacular coffee fazenda (plantation) during the days of slavery in Brazil. It is at a point in time when the institution of slavery is soon approaching an end, but not quite yet. The treatment of the slaves is graphic and eye opening. The costumes and set are authentic and historically correct.
In addition to the story of Ester and Inácio, there are other stimulating characters with interrelated and absorbing storylines. You will truly love to hate the antagonists and wholeheartedly cheer for the protagonists.
The entire cast does the novela justice in the portrayal of the characters. The cast includes some of Brazil's best and popular actors - Malu Mader (Ester), Cláudia Abreu (Olivia), Fábio Assunção (Inácio), Selton Mello (Abelardo), Natália Thimberg (Idalina), Paulo Betti (Higino Ventura) and many more. Well-known actress Sonia Braga also makes a guest appearance.
The director and writer of "Força de um Desejo" make a good team. Director Carlos Araújo is responsible for all-time novela hit "O Rei do Gado" (The Cattle King) and other successful novelas as "A Muralha" (The Wall), and Dona Flor e Seus Dois Maridos (Mrs. Flor and Her Two Husbands). Writer Gilberto Braga is known for winning novelas such as "Labirinto" (The Labyrinth), Dancin' Days and "Escrava Isaura" (Isaura the Slave).
Like icing on a cake, the music soundtrack makes "Força de um Desejo" even more delectable. The soundtrack contains music from the Orquestra de Filadélfia and Filarmônica de Viena and Brazilian musicians such as Simone, Daniela Mercury, Roger Henri and Virginia Rodrigues produce exquisite music for what has been described as an epic novela.
