Pedro Páramo

"Pedro Páramo is the third film adaptation of Mexican writer Juan Rulfo's literary masterpiece, directed by Mexican photographer Rodrigo Prieto (Killers of the Flower Moon) in his directorial debut. The film, as those who have read the book will know, follows Juan Preciado (Tenoch Huerta), who travels to Comala in search of his father, Pedro Páramo (Manuel García-Rulfo). However, upon arrival, he discovers an abandoned town, whose few inhabitants exist as ghosts, holding the painful history of those who lived there. Or are they really ghosts? Prieto's adaptation is technically masterful and faithfully devoted to Rulfo's novel, even at the expense of its more cinematic elements. Despite some interesting flourishes that accentuate the gothic roots of the story, the structure, dialogues, and performances lean towards an almost absolute fidelity. If you are looking for an adaptation this close to the book, or if this is your first encounter with Rulfo's tale, it will be an ideal film for you. Otherwise, it pales a bit in comparison to the expressive possibilities of literature, as it doesn't contribute much beyond what the words already achieve."