Pedro Páramo

I didn't know this was adapted from a novel until I read some of these reviews, but now that makes sense. There is a depth of pain and sorrow wrought from the passions and injustices of our human condition in every frame of this film, and I am guessing in every page of the novel, which I have not read. Some reviews seem to think it does not do justice to the book, but imo, as a film it is beautifully tragic. And very well filmed and acted. There are probably many cultural elements about the story I missed, like One Hundred Years Of Solitude, but also like that film it's a fabulous and deep work. My only complaint is I lost track of some of the characters, who they were and what time they represented. But it all came into focus later. 8/10.

A mother's last wish is for her son, Juan, to visit the father he never knew in a distant town. Juan finds the town abandoned and yet swirling with life. Nothing is as it seems. Apparitions appear and drift away. Pedro Páramo, the father, lays claim to the town and its inhabitants, and yet strangely his soul also belongs to them. Juan risks being swallowed by the miscreant spirits, the terrible deeds, and all the heartache. Not the inheritance he expected.

With intoxicating dance sequences, a profusion of light and color, flashbacks, capable acting, and the amazing cinematography of Rodrigo Prieto, the film and cast bring Juan Rulfo's 1955 masterpiece of magic realism to life. "If you want to understand who we are as a country," said one of the actors "then open the book."

The best part of the film is the characters. They are not good or bad, just human. Director Rodrigo Prieto, who was present for this world premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, said that the characters fascinated him too. "Each character" he said, "has something about ourselves." Have an internal journey of your own in the magic and darkness of this film, a reflection of the Mexican soul.

A wonderful film.

The acting is top notch. This movie shows that there are wonderful Mexican actors and that we CAN write a good script, so I will not be forgiving any sub par job in the future.

The movie is gorgeous. Everything is done with love and care. My only (very small) complaint would be some of the CGI. But it doesn't take away from the wonderful story-telling and the visuals.

If paying attention is not your forte, maybe the movie is not for you. By the way, the movie is magical realism, that means it combines fantastical elements with day-to-day life. The reviews that say "it does not make sense", do they also complain about other genres? Does Avengers make sense? Star Wars?

Every character has a story to tell. It's not about villains and heroes. There's no divine retribution.

En verdad me hizo pensar que los mexicanos ya estamos muertos, solo estamos esperando a que alguien nos lo diga.

Having read the book first, I'm a little torn on which I like better.

Some moments in the story hit better on paper. Overall, however, the movie is easier to follow. It's a very faithful adaptation in terms of what happens in the plot. The visuals & transitions between scenes do a great job of helping the viewer understand the cacophony of characters & the constant jumping around between places in the timeline. Simply being able to see which character's face is talking & how old they look makes it easier to fit all the pieces together-even if some vague aspects are left up to interpretation by the end.

They also do a good job of leaning into the horror elements. They don't simplify the plot to reduce it to a jump-scare thriller. It simply has some nice moments of creepy tension. Tenoch Huerta-Mejía performs well in these scenes.

Similarly, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo performs so believably as Pedro Páramo, being somehow sympathetic (you believe he's having the emotions he shows) despite all the horrible shit he does.

In the end, I have to give the slight edge to the movie. It works better.

I'm sure that people giving a low rating, have simply not read the book, and hence not understood this wonderful movie. You don't have to read the book, but if you really want to understand the movie, read the book at some point. You'll be surprised and you'll love both!

Pedro Paramo, the book, reflects sadness and melancholy on every page. This is what made Rulfo great - his narrative was some sort of beautiful sadness. The book's narrative is simple yet beautiful. This movie does a great job of conveying the book's sadness through its dialogues, music, and the environment of Comala.

I'm surprised this is the director's opera prima. The actors, production, and costume design - every department paid a lot of attention to ensure the movie is as accurate as possible. Some of the book's dialogues are retained in the movie, along with the imagery, suffering, and horror - nothing is left aside.

This is undoubtedly a fantastic visual representation of Pedro Paramo, and it's one of those rare movies that can live up to the books they're based on.