I have thefeeling that I have an advantage over many other viewers of ‘Loving Pablo‘, the film co-written and directed in 2017 by the Spanish film-maker Fernando León de Aranoa. I have not seen any other film or series that have Pablo Escobar as a hero. It seems that they are numerous enough for Wikipedia to consider them belonging to the ‘Escobar subgenre’ and probably some of them are quite successful, or in any case received good public feedback. In the absence of these references that I may recover sooner or later, ‘Loving Pablo‘ seemed to me quite a successful action biopic inspired by real characters . It is not a film without problems, but none is of these that spoil the pleasure of watching.
Virginia Vallejo (Penélope Cruz) was a Colombian television anchor, a star in the early 1980s, the year of the rise of Pablo Escobar (Javier Bardem). Unlike other drug cartel leaders, he sought to legalize his business by providing social services in the poor neighborhoods of Medelin, funding politicians to create a prestigious position within the country, and aspiring to create legislation that would grant him immunity outside of Colombia. When the Colombian political and economic elite blocks his rise and eventually rejects him, he resorts to extreme violence, practically throwing the country into terror and civil war. What attracts the television journalist and causes her to fall for such a character? The exclusive scoops she receives as a reporter? The fascination of the ‘bad boys’? Pedro’s personal charisma (although he is described in the film as a not very attractive individual). The expensive and extravagant gifts she receives from him? It’s probably a combination of all of the above, but even if we don’t know the real facts and the end of Escobar, it’s clear that the story can’t end well.
‘Loving Pablo‘ seemed to me to be one of the best docu-dramas I’ve seen lately. It has rhythm, it is filmed with talent, the story progresses fluently, and for those, like me, who are not very familiar with Escobar’s biography, I think it brings all the essential information. Virginia talks a lot off-screen, but in this movie this procedure that I don’t like usually works well, as we are watching a screen version of a memories book. The combination of Spanish and English with a Spanish accent sounds a bit artificial, I would have preferred to see a 100% Spanish version. Javier Bardem‘s acting dominates the film. His Pablo is a cruel and unscrupulous murderer, a cunning man who tries to build an honorable reputation, but when he fails he takes merciless revenge on those who stand in his way. Like many heads of criminal organizations, he has family aspirations, he may love his wife and children in his own way, but that doesn’t stop him from being unfaithful and supporting expensive mistresses (including Virginia Vallejo). In reality, from the moment he has access to money and power, he builds around himself a pseudo-reality that differs from the others, which ultimately also destroys the lives of those who matter to him. Penélope Cruz‘s Virginia is also very well interpreted, from the frivolity and inability to resist the temptations that make her become Pablo’s mistress, to the panic she experiences when he leaves her, leaving her alone and target of all his enemies because of the association with it. What is missing is the chemistry between the two. The scenes in which they are together fail to give the impression of a love affair. The title of the book that inspired the film, and the alternative title of the film is ‘Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar’. The film clearly shows the reasons why Virginia hated Escobar, but less the reasons why she would have loved Pablo.