Parents' Guide to

Isabel: The Intimate Story of Isabel Allende

By Martin Brown, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Biopic has political violence, sexual relationships.

TV Max Drama 2021
Isabel: The Intimate Story of Isabel Allende Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Isabel TV Show: Pitching her first story
  • Isabel TV Show: Allende with her first husband
  • Isabel TV Show: Allende triumphant

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What's the Story?

ISABEL: THE INTIMATE STORY OF ISABEL ALLENDE is a biographic mini-series about the life of popular Chilean writer Isabel Allende (Daniela Ramírez). When Allende has the opportunity to write for a new magazine, she draws upon her relationship with her husband for inspiration. As her career takes off, her views about herself and the world begin to change, and her writing begins to deeply affect her personal life.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Biographical films and series often crumble under the burden of having to produce something that is not only believable and dramatic, but accurate to real life. Isabel is well-made and well-acted (though the English dubbing makes it feel more like a Studio Ghibli than a serious drama), but its depiction of real life comes off as cliched. The series finds Allende struggling to balance work with family, embracing feminism, and discovering herself. In other words, it follows the same outline of a ton of other biopics, without giving viewers a real idea of what makes Allende or her work unique.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Isabel Allende. Were you familiar with her work before watching Isabel? If so, how does the series inform her work? If not, does it inspire you to read her writing? Why or why not? What does the series think is unique or special about her writing?

  • How does Allende's writing get her involved in politics? How does the series portray her political views? How does she use her voice? Would you consider her an activist? Why or why not?

  • How is feminism portrayed in Isabel? What is Allende's relationship to the idea of feminism? How does becoming a feminist effect her personal life?

TV Details

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