Crime Diaries: The Celebrity Stylist is a Colombian movie directed by Jacques Toulemonde. It stars Juana del Río.
“Crime Diaries: The Celebrity Stylist” is a recreation of the well-known murder of Mauricio Leal and his mother.
Based on a true event, this work of fiction recreates the stylist’s final moments and the mystery that surrounded his death and subsequent investigation.
“Crime Diaries: The Celebrity Stylist” is a recreation of the mystery and, as the film assures us, it is quite speculative regarding the truthfulness of the events. Just like in the case of Rosa Peral, Netflix takes the story and interprets a crime that became a media phenomenon.
Did what the movie narrates really happen? No one will ever know, but the film is very entertaining as a criminal thriller and investigation.
Synopsis
When a promising fashion stylist is discovered brutally murdered in his own home, a motivated and determined young detective is given a daunting challenge: to solve this baffling case within a limited timeframe of 20 days.
Movie Review
A film that revolves around the investigation of the murder and adheres to the rules of the most classic Hollywood investigative thriller.
The film focuses on the characters, especially the role of the investigator, played by Juana del Río, who is undoubtedly the best part of this film that doesn’t surprise in terms of cinematographic style and, yes, takes advantage of the controversy surrounding the stylist’s high-profile murder, which dominated headlines while the facts were revealed.
The film maintains pace and mystery surrounding the murder, reinforced by good cinematography and a script that knows what it needs to convey. While not offering anything new in terms of style, it provides good entertainment by harnessing a tragedy and transforming it into a compelling work of fiction.
Our Opinion
Does it entertain? Yes, but not much more. It relies on the morbid fascination generated by the case and often chooses to stay within the realm of a TV adaptation, lacking enough cinematic resources to stand out from a thousand other investigative thrillers.
Who Was Mauricio Leal?
Mauricio Leal was a renowned Colombian hairstylist who had carved a niche for himself in the beauty industry. With a client list that included beauty queens, local celebrities, and television presenters, Leal was at the peak of his career. However, his sudden and tragic death in November last year shocked the nation. Initially believed to be a case of murder-suicide, new evidence has surfaced, suggesting a different narrative. This article delves into the life, career, and mysterious demise of Mauricio Leal.
Director
Jacques Toulemonde is not only the author of his own projects but also the co-writer, alongside Ciro Guerra, of “El abrazo de la serpiente,” the first Colombian film to receive an Oscar nomination. In addition to his noteworthy contributions to the film industry, he has authored numerous engaging short stories and an unpublished novel titled “Diatriba de un Idiota.”