El pico

I recently watched the Spanish film 🇪🇸 El Pico (1983) on Shudder. The storyline follows two best friends, the son of a politician and the son of a commander, as they delve into the world of drugs, specifically heroin, which becomes both their greatest high and a new source of business. Their descent into the heroin business leads their lives into a downward spiral.

Directed by Eloy de la Iglesia (Navajeros), the film stars José Luis Manzano (Navajeros), José Manuel Cervino (The Last Circus), Enrique San Francisco (Save the Zombies), and Carme Contreras (REC 3).

Set in Bilbao, a city my daughter and I adore, El Pico is an intriguing character-driven piece reminiscent of "Requiem for a Dream" in some aspects. The plot unfolds with smart twists and turns, some leading to better outcomes while others exacerbate the characters' situations. The acting is excellent, and the portrayal of addiction and rehab is compellingly realistic. The needle scenes are particularly intense and authentic. Additionally, there is unexpected nudity that adds to the film's shock value. The conclusion is marked by multiple twists and turns, leaving a sense of sadness and shock.

In conclusion, El Pico is a well-crafted depiction of drug addiction with clever narrative twists that make it worth watching. I would give it a score of 7.5/10 and strongly recommend it.