The Secret of the Greco Family

I wanted to like it, but.... while this TV series based on the true story of the Puccio family of Argentina, the 2015 movie "El Clan" directed by Pablo Trapero featuring Guillermo Francelle and Peter Lanzini is FAR superior, more sinister (and much shorter!).

First, the movie El Clan does not give away the ending in the opening sequence like Familia Greco does. (I watched the movie not knowing anything and it was a real mind-bender.) Also, the juxtaposition of the beautiful visuals and superb music choices of El Clan lend a creepiness that this Familia Greco never quite achieves.

Trust me, watch the 2015 movie El Clan instead. Or watch both and decide for yourself.

Maybe because I lived near there in 1985 (and had NO IDEA!!!), that movie still haunts me years later. Check it out.

This story has great potential. The fact that this is a true story and the character of Aquilles is played so brilliantly had the bones for a captivating series. My only critique is that this series moves along as a slow paced drama where each kidnapping takes 3 eposodes taking 9 episodes total. The whole series could have been summed up in 6. Get into the action of each kidnapping in episode 1 and sum up the carnage in episode 2.

The characters are held off at arms length through 3 long episodes with about 10 minutes of dark twisted action at the end of each episode. If they had concentrated on this malevolent Aquilles and allowed you into his dark twisted mind you might actually get to know this evil crime lord with more nuanced layers where you might actually feel some level of pity for this nasty crime lord. The series had alot of characters just kind of moving around talking. This series could have honed in on this tragic monster, allowing you into this evil control freak mind and summed up this series in 6 concentrated episodes, but this dark twisted tale holds you at arms length with 9 drawn out episodes and never really draws you into the action. It's as if you are watching it from a distance. The Aquilles character is brilliant, but the length of the series falls somewhat flat and never really draws you into the action. It has the potential to be an amazing dark noir tragedy, but comes across kind of just okay like a drawn out soap opera. It's worth the watch for the brilliant character of Aquilles alone, but just something to kind of put on in the background. It never really sucks you into the dark twisted mind of that which is the true tragedy of that which is Aquilles.

No question this is an an unusual and cringe-worthy story. It's very depressing to think that some of the opinions of wealthy people is so hated and completely ignorsnt of those who built true legitimate wealth and then are at risk by the type of nutjuobs depicted in the drama. The actors did a very good job and the filmaking good as well. It makes one wonder how widespread is this type type of class jealousy. The main criminal is a far off the charts narcissist and social deviate which is so evil it makes it hard time sleep es especially when it's based on a true story. Wonder why too they put it off as a is a Mexican drama when ithe Pacheco family was actually in Argentina?

One star is too much, a twisted plot far from the real story used to create dark scenes that makes you realize that is not worth watching.

Colunga deceives with a terrible performance. It is indignant how utilizing christian symbols to ruin catholics reputation, details that were never part of the real story. It is obvious that there was an intention to derogate religion.

I did not finish. It is disgusting, inmoral and in extreme disrespectful. Colunga must be desperate for money when he accepted this character. This my second review as the one I submitted before was never posted. I hope my opinion is now shared.

Absolutely brilliant series!!! Absolutely fantastic from start to finish!! The story is inspired by true events about a family that kidnaps wealthy individuals for ransom and eventually murdering them. Very very intense and gripping from the first episode to the last! Fernando Colunga as Aquiles Greco is absolutely brilliant!! The demenour, the gait, the dialogue delivery - Extremely impressive!! What a fantastic show!! Brilliant performance!! Highly recommend this show!! Many many congratulations to Mr Fernando Colunga!! Many congratulations to Telemundo and all the cast members on a well produced series Brilliant and impressive!!