ESPRIT LIBRE // Press Archive

Performer of the Week: Kamar de los Reyes (Soap Opera Digest 5/22/07)

Antonio's obliviousness regarding his rocky marriage to Jessica had us shaking our fists at the TV. But our faith in Antonio was restored, thanks to Kamar de los Reyes's moving portrayal of a man's frustration as the family he valued so much suddenly slipped away.

After Jessica ran out of Jamie's adoption hearing, Antonio was like a ticking bomb. He reserved his rage as he conducted a proper search of the quarry, even pausing to tenderly recall a moment there with Jessica when he'd given her a necklace. It wasn't until he returned to his loft to find Jessica standing in the dark that all the compassion and patience he'd allowed her up until that point melted away. A look of utter disgust came across hsi face as he sneered, "Are you sure you're ready to bare your soul to me?" and it was almost vindictive.

Yet the love that he feels for Jessica became even more apparent with his increasing rage, as de los Reyes so genuinely expressed through his signature deep gaze. It doesn't matter how much we love the Jess/Nash pairing or how many signs Antonio refused to recognize; the earnestness de los Reyes imbues in his character even in a time of total turmoil makes us honestly feel for the guy.

It is clear why de los Reyes wanted to play out this leg of Antonio's emotional journey despite the real life pain he was suffering due to injury. His performance made a lopsided romantic equation suddenly add up, and a character left in the dark lurch into sharp focus.