Pedro Páramo is a stylish but dull adaptation that is hard to match the source material.
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| Image Credit: Netflix |
Netflix’s new adaptation of Pedro Páramo, directed by celebrated cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, brings Juan Rulfo’s masterpiece, one of the most iconic works of Mexican literature, to the big screen. Published in 1955, the novel is known for its surreal and ghostly style, intertwining the worlds of the living and the dead, evoking a magical and evocative atmosphere that has influenced writers like Gabriel García Márquez. However, Prieto’s film adaptation seems to deviate from this spirit, presenting a visually rich version, but lacking the metaphysical and dreamlike essence that made the book famous.
Pedro Páramo: A Journey to the Land of the Dead
The film tells the story of Juan Preciado, a man who, following the death of his mother, embarks on a journey to the village of Comala to find his father, the mysterious Pedro Páramo. Comala, however, is not a simple village, but a place suspended between life and death, populated by tormented souls and spirits who tell stories of pain, love, and regrets. The plot explores the themes of redemption and memory but does so without ever reaching the surreal and melancholic intensity of the original text.
Prieto's Style: A Western Prestige but Not Very Innovative
Rodrigo Prieto, known for his visual mastery in films such as The Irishman and Silence, opts for a visual style that recalls the high-quality Western, with evocative landscapes and atmospheres that are, however, too much anchored to reality. Instead of following Rulfo’s ethereal and surreal tone, the director and his screenwriter Mateo Gil settle for a concrete narrative, aesthetically impeccable but devoid of the abstract magic that characterizes the novel. This approach, although visually fascinating, distances itself from the original spirit of this film, turning it into a “beautiful to look at” product but lacking the depth that could have made it a true tribute to the text.
Strengths and weaknesses
The adaptation has some indisputable qualities: the elegant photography, the costumes and sets carefully reconstruct the Mexican rural era, and the cast, led by Manuel García Rulfo, offers convincing performances. However, what is missing is the otherworldly dimension that permeates Rulfo’s novel. Instead of delving into the mysteries of life and death, Prieto seems to bet on a more conventional representation, which risks not emotionally involving viewers and fans of the original work.
Pedro Páramo: Conclusion and Evaluation
The Netflix adaptation of Pedro Páramo is a visually stunning film but, ultimately, a missed opportunity to bring the unique depth of Juan Rulfo’s novel to the screen. Despite his extraordinary visual ability, Rodrigo Prieto fails to convey the dreamlike atmosphere and magical realism that has made Pedro Páramo a timeless classic of Latin American literature. The choice of a more conventional narrative causes the film to lose the mystery, emotional power, and ghostly quality that characterize the book. While viewers may appreciate the photography and the careful production design, fans of the novel may be disappointed by the lack of depth and emotional involvement. In conclusion, Pedro Páramo on Netflix is an elegant and visually refined work, but it lacks the essential spirit that animates Rulfo’s pages. Fans of the novel may not find the poetic intensity that makes the literary work a unique emotional and metaphysical journey.
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