“Pedro Páramo” is a Mexican movie starring Manuel García-Rulfo with Tenoch Huerta, Ilse Salas, and Mayra Batalla. It is directed by Rodrigo Prieto, and written by Mateo Gil.
In 1955, Juan Rulfo penned “Pedro Páramo,” which quickly ascended to the ranks of universal literary classics, thanks in part to the literary boom of the 1950s in Hispanic America. The novel is notoriously difficult to adapt, given its evocative potential and literary poetics. A novel that, when read, seemed almost impossible to translate into another medium has now been revisited by Rodrigo Prieto, who endeavors to capture the ghostly spirit of a town steeped in death, memory, and sadness.
Staying true to Juan Rulfo’s original text, the film manages to capture the essence of the story, as well as the spectral and evocative force of this iconic novel from the last century.
Plot
A man returns to a Mexican village to learn about his father, Pedro Páramo. Upon arrival, he discovers that his father has passed away, and the entire town is enmeshed in memories, sadness, and the omnipresent specter of death.
About the Film
“Pedro Páramo” achieves a faithful adaptation of the novel and a meticulously crafted atmosphere that captures the spirit of that legendary 1950s narrative. This marks Rodrigo Prieto’s directorial debut, having previously made his name as a cinematographer. He embarks on an ambitious and highly risky project: adapting a literary classic that derives its power from the evocation of the written word. Transforming the poetry of the text into visual imagery seemed an insurmountable challenge, but Prieto accomplishes this through powerful cinematography, striking visuals, and by staying true to the original text, especially in its spirit.
“Pedro Páramo” takes viewers on a journey into shadows, memories, and the Mexican soul, while also touching upon universal emotions. This film does not aspire to be a Hollywood-style blockbuster, nor does it aim to be. It unfolds slowly and deliberately, telling its story in fragments much like the book, and will likely feel heavy and tedious to many viewers. However, this film is not designed for all audiences or sensibilities. “Pedro Páramo” demands that its viewers engage with a more complex understanding of the characters and their own existential reflections. It challenges the audience to confront the darker aspects of the soul and to grapple with profound, often unsettling questions that are infused with violence and poetry, ultimately pulling them out of their comfort zones.
This is not an easy film to watch, nor does it cater to the viewer’s desires. “Pedro Páramo” was created with the intent of offering a dark journey through the most shadowy realms of the human condition and its deepest, most sinister thoughts. Does it succeed? We believe it does, making it, in our view, the finest adaptation of Juan Rulfo’s novel to date.
Enjoy the film.
Where to Watch “Pedro Páramo”
