Diablo Guardián

I don't agree with the purists: Diablo Guardián is a darn good adaptation of a novel that wouldn't fit work as a movie.

The actors are amazing, both Violetta (Paulina Gaitán) and Nefastófeles (Andrés Almeida) did an outstanding job. Also, let's remember Xavier Velasco (the writer) chose Paulina and Pig, he helped with the casting.

So, needless to say I love it. I think it'll become a big event for Prime Video production and it's already a high mark for Mexican TV.

The series is based on the 2003 novel 'Diablo Guardián' by Xavier Velasco.

Violetta (Paulina Gaitán) is a sucker for luxurious and materialistic lifestyle and leaves her ordinary Mexico life for the glittery life of New York, with $217,000 in hand, that she had stolen from her disapproving parents.

Initially, she revels in luxurious - hotel stay, clothing, wine, dine and the likes. But eventually, the money runs out and she resorts to high end conning and prostitution, till it lasts.

Herein, the protagonist is kind of amoral but child like and gleeful and continuously experiments with everything fashionable and luxurious, which makes for an interesting watch.

Violetta is an awesome character. She has a unique voice and Paulina Gaitán shines in the role. However, the parallel story, that of Pig's self-pitty is terribly boring. You can fast forward all of Pig's scenes and you would have missed nothing by the end.

Something along those lines ... although you could never really tell what goes on, in that pretty little head of our main character. Pretty little head and pretty little body (no pun intended) - of whicht the viewer will get to see quite a lot of.

Having said that, the movie works on more than a dramatic level. There is also a lot of thriller in it. Of course the first season is way tighter than the second one. Even though it seems that the second one is ending in a bang. But that cannot make up for weaker storytelling all around. First season is or at least seems more focused.

Also the way the first season ends ... and the way things are being picked up in season 2 ... well it is almost a slap in the face of the viewers. Soap Operas have done it before, but it is not fitting for a show like this, to play/fool around with the viewer like that. In my humble opinion. Ok show, nothing more, nothing less.

It is quite exciting to see a huge effort, and by this I mean humongous, Latin production is not often as well made, this is leveling up, acting is not bad as many reviews say, the adaptation us not terrible as some say; in honor to truth, it's actually exciting, actors can go as far as the writing goes. Cinematography is quite satisfying, well stylized, even dare to say better than some of the first chapters of house of cards, none the less technology has evolved quite significantly from five Ds... however my rating is not above the seven stars because as a Latin American I wish we could move on from the quirks (idieosincracys) of Latin America being a drug driven world of lust for drugs, alcohol and prostitution leading to power (which happens worldwide) understandingly this is a drama: and drama ain't all pretty and Hallmark like, but the angle and perspective is maybe just too much of a cliché; and leaves you wanting a little more depth.

Actors are brilliant, direction, art department as well. As a viwer you can hate the bad guys from the very first time you see them; and get disgusted very easily (writing could improve) make it a little more creddible. Amazon starts great projects, I hope this one stays to evolve, and not end like season two of Goliath which pretty much went sour on the poor writing and the cliché caricature of the Mexican quirks.