Escobar: Paradise Lost [2014]

EMM# : 8787
Added: 2016-02-03

Escobar: Paradise Lost (2014)
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Rating: 6.6

Movie Details:

Genre: Crime (Drama| Romance| Thriller)

Length: 1 h 59 min - 119 min

Video: 1920x816 (24.000 Fps - 2 050 Kbps)

Studio: Chapter 2| Jaguar Films| Nexus Factory| Pathé| Rox...(cut)

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Nicko and his brother take off from Canada in search of an easier life on the beaches of Colombia. Nicko meets a girl in the local village and they quickly fall in love, only for Nicko to later find out that Maria's uncle is the drug trafficker, Pablo Escobar. His life takes a dramatic turn after meeting El Patron, and Nick is forced into impossible situations to try and keep his family safe, but does Pablo have other ideas? Written by

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kuurgen-1 from Canada
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You get the best actor to play Pablo Escobar. Then because for some reason the writer didn't feel that Pablo's life was interesting enough they make up a weird love story with a fictional character reminiscent of the character in the last King of Scotland.

This movie did not have to be like this. When I heard that Benicio was signed on to play Pablo Escobar I was excited. From his early beginnings stealing tombstones to his death on the rooftops of a Colombian city, his life was interesting enough. Why did we just waste probably one of the few chances will ever get to make a proper movie about Pablo with this?

I'm very disappointed, I have no issues with the actor's performances, but Josh's character did not belong in this movie. Is this a bad movie?

It is if you're expecting a true story about Pablo. I guess if you going to watch it, enjoy the performances and hopefully try to get over the fact that this did not happen.

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Thomas Lyons from Australia
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Pablo Escobar the most powerful drug lords in human history.

This movies gives you an insight to how he would have been viewed by his family, associates and of course the public of Columbia.

You'll find that life is cheap, trust is thin and power is everything.

It also leaves you with a questions..

Is the wealth, power and money worth the sacrifice of family, simplicity and freedom?

Would recommend you make your own opinion of this movie, personally I found it enthralling and couldn't look away..

If this review helped, please leave a like or what have you.

Cheers, Thomas Lyons

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murat-cetin from Istanbul
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First thing I have to say about the movie: Benicio Del Toro. Although I am not a big fan of him, this movie shines with his charisma. Great performance from the first scene to the last.

Although the movie is about the clash between a mafia leader and his niece's boyfriend, there are several subtexts that can be pulled out. One of them is the love around this drug dealer by the fellow People of his country. He starts a fight against the government and he gets as many supporters as the legal side; maybe even more.

Josh Hutcherson gives us hope for the future movies with his great talent despite his moderate outlook. Throughout the movie you can't stop looking at amazingly beautiful Maria (Claudia Traisac) and I can't say these two both are the perfect match.

A few words for the director,Andrea Di Stefano; this is a very impressive story-telling for a first movie. I believe we'll hear more about him very soon.

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CleveMan66 from United States
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Pablo Escobar (1949-1993) was a notorious drug trafficker and leader of Columbia's infamous Medellin drug cartel. He dealt exclusively in cocaine, starting in the mid-1970s. At the height of his power, his cartel controlled 80% of the world's cocaine, smuggling fifteen tons per day, and Escobar himself had an estimated net worth of $30 billion. He maintained his power and his freedom by either bribing or killing his enemies, including those in law enforcement and politics. He also enjoyed the loyalty and support of the mostly poor people in western Columbia who benefited from the many community service projects he funded.

In spite of his personal popularity and the strength of his criminal empire, the authorities were closing in when he made a deal with the government in 1991 to surrender himself in exchange for a light sentence in a luxurious prison. Escobar continued his criminal activities from "jail" and ended up escaping after just over a year behind bars. After a year and a half on the run, a U.S.-trained task force of Columbian police found Escobar, shooting and killing him as he tried to get away. Now, imagine marrying into Pablo Escobar's family when it seemed the world was his. That's the story in "Escobar: Paradise Lost" (R, 2:00).

Josh Hutcherson (Peeta in "The Hunger Games") stars as Nick Brady, a young man from Canada who follows his older brother to Columbia with dreams of living on the beach. While working as a surfing instructor, he meets a beautiful young woman named Maria (Claudia Traisac)… as in Maria Escobar. By the time Nick learns that Pablo Escobar (Benicio Del Toro) is Maria's uncle, Nick has fallen for her. She knows what her uncle does, but talks about it as if he's just an important businessman who exports their country's most popular product. She doesn't seem to understand the full extent of her uncle's power and brutality and Nick only gradually comes to his own understanding of who "El Patron" really is.

Nick marries Maria and is welcomed into the Escobar family with open arms. The couple even moves on to Uncle Pablo's estate. Nick's brother, Dylan (Brady Corbet) and his wife Anne (Ana Girardot), who have a new baby and another one on the way, become very worried for Nick – and for themselves. But Maria isn't like the rest of her family and she is all Nick really cares about. Eventually, even Nick and Maria see that they should be joining Dylan and Anne in leaving the country, but by then, audience members have to ask themselves if it's too late.

Most of the film's action takes place in the final couple of days before Escobar surrenders to authorities to begin his prison term. Before he goes away, he has a plan to safeguard his vast wealth and he asks for help from Nick, whom he appears to hold in very high regard. Pablo gives Nick a series of very specific instructions to carry out, which includes asking Nick to do things that he tells Escobar he's never done before. Escobar responds simply, "We all have to make sacrifices, Niko. You can do this." Without spoiling the ending, let me just say that Nick's errand doesn't go according to plan – anyone's plan.

"Escobar: Paradise Lost" feels so authentic, I was surprised to learn that it is NOT based on a true story. The film tells a tale that seems very plausible even in its smallest details, based on what we now know about Pablo Escobar and his criminal empire. Basing this film on a real person and real events, but focusing on a fictional main plot leaves writer-director Andrea Di Stefano free to be as creative as she likes with the story – and what a yarn she has spun! The film starts with intensity, allows for good characterization and for the development of the romance between Nick and Maria, then builds to a thrilling third act, while avoiding clichés found in many films of this kind. In short, the audience gets a little education and insight, a heartfelt romance and a harrowing fight for survival, all in a film that's fresh and entertaining from beginning to end. "A"

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àthar Barghouthi from Palestine
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After watching a movie like 'Blow' (about George Jung) or Goodfellas (about Henry Hill) this movie seemed horribly irrelevant from Escobar's life. The movie, and plot, are both excellent but the main focus is not Escobar himself, and his story was not fully told but rather a story of this white dude who becomes friends with him and gets in trouble.

I think this would have made a great movie if it didn't have the title of "Escobar" because it really isn't a movie about him. Escobar (character) appeared in many other great movies but wasn't the main focus, and that worked. This title, however, is unfair because now this movie will be the main one about Escobar while it shows nothing of him.

Hats off to Benicio del Toro, another solid performance!

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chicagopoetry from United States
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Despite the rather stupid movie title, Escobar: Paradise Lost is a damn good film. It's very suspenseful and realistic. The only implausibility in it is that the Canadians who set up shop on a beach in Colombia are so whimpy. I doubt anyone as whimpy as these characters would have the guts to leap right into the middle of a jungle ruled by cocaine cartels like that. But luckily the two whimpiest of them don't have a lot of screen time and the main protagonist, who starts out pretty whimpy and who falls in love with Escobar's niece, while always giving surprised and stand-offish looks to the goings on around her that should have raised everyone's suspicion right from the starts, slowly progresses into kind of a bad-ass by the end; and although it's no trek through FarCry 3, his transformation from a helpless victim into someone who finally stands up for himself has a great momentum that pays off in the end. Benicio del Toro is nothing short of superb as Escobar, ominously talking in riddles behind which are his murderous intentions. The cinematography is also superb, giving this film a similar feel to any number of classic gangster films. But the best part of this film is that it skips all the Hollywood clichés. There's no happy ending for anyone. It's as pessimistic as The Counselor. Nobody is spared the cruelty, not even the children. There's no walking away into the sunset to live happily ever after. It's the real deal, a portrait of what happens when evil gains ultimate power and convinces itself that it is good.

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radiogurl from Canada
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Pablo Escobar, like other notorious criminals before him, was revered and loved by the common man in Colombia. He built schools, clinics and churches in their communities. He took care of "problems". He was a (seemingly) loving husband, father, and in this movie, an uncle who could do no wrong by his niece, Maria. Imagine her boyfriend Nick's (Josh Hutcherson's) surprise then when he finds out that dear, sweet Uncle Pablo is in fact a ruthless and deadly cocaine kingpin.

There wasn't much I didn't like about this movie. First-time feature director and writer, Andrea Di Stefano, offers up a solid script, which he told the TIFF audience is part fact, part fiction. He lets Del Toro weave his magic as Pablo (was the guy born to play the role, or what?), but he also lets Hutcherson do his thing. Both give great performances without straying over-the-top, which they could very well have done with roles like these.

I think I was concerned that the movie would evolve quickly into a cheesefest and it never did. The action is good and the plot is highly plausible and well-paced.

This is NOT an Escobar biopic. It is a really well-told story in which Escobar plays a central role. I hope North American audiences will be able to get past the subtitles and give this film a shot - no pun intended.

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AnthVespa from Ontario
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I saw this film at TIFF 2014 at the Gala event(yes i saw all the stars; gotta high five from Josh Hutcherson too). But thats besides the point. I really enjoyed this film and thought that it was very impressive for the directors first shot at directing. Its quite nice on the eyes as it was filmed on location and had some clever directing shots as well as a complementary score. While watching you have a love hate relationship with Escobar and you can understand why he did this in one scene and then be appalled by what he does in another. Its interesting because it is from the perspectives of the two main characters in love so we don't always no whats happening with Pablo Escobar. It is based off of a true story and they casted Pablo Escobar perfectly!(in my opinion). The film left me thinking what i could have done in Nicks position and what a girl might have done in Maria's position. I might even daresay an Oscar nom for Benicio Del Toro at the 2015 Academy awards. But well just have to wait and see (9/22/2014). It is a clean well made film. Very much so a telling of a story and also so realistic. It is nothing like a Hollywood major budget film, but thats precisely what gives is charm. It was a long film to sit throughout, but it held my attention. My favourite part of the overall movie was definitely the setting and the whole idea of becoming involved with a drug lord. Worth checking out!

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Anna Lisa Grabe from Germany
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This is the first movie Andrea di Stefano directed and i really think it is a realistic glimpse in the life and surroundings of Pablo Escobar. The setting and scenery is coherent and the whole cast are all wise choices. Especially Benicio del Toro as Pablo Escobar is such an excellent choice, his performance is exceptional. I like the timing in the movie and how it shifts from idyllic surfer paradise to a savage environment. The story is beautiful told and has a permanent tension. I did not expect too much from the movie and so for me it was a positive surprise. The only thing that kind of disturbed me a little is the fact that i think that when you move to Colombia in 1991 you might know who Pablo Escobar is, so that is one little bug for me, that Nick appears a little bit naive, because he does not know that Ecobar is such a BIG and powerful drug dealer. But besides that really a great movie*

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santiagocosme from Spain
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Entertaining!

Paradise Lost tells the story of a foreigner who goes to Colombia with his brother to open a surfing school and ends up falling in love with the niece of the infamous Pablo Escobar, the drug warlord. As you can imagine, his life spirals into chaos as soon as he starts getting serious with that girl. While he seems to be in good terms with the mafia clan at the beginning, as soon as Escobar's life gets complicated and justice tries to trap him, the lives of those around him follow the same disastrous path.

The tension of the movie comes from never knowing if the protagonist's love for his girl is going to be strong enough to put up with living with one of the most dangerous guys on earth at the time, or whether he is going to escape from the obviously choosing the wrong path. It's hard to tell if the movie is based on true events, (google can clarify that I'm sure) but either way, the film might easily have some resemblance with reality, since it is well known by everyone who Escobar was and how ruthless a man he came to be.

I would honestly not hesitate to watch it as a good Sunday afternoon movie. But bear in mind, it's also the type of film that you will easily forget.

AKAs Titles:

Certifications:
Argentina:13 / Canada:PG (British Columbia) / Chile:14 / France:U (with warning) / Germany:16 / Ireland:15A / Ireland:15 (DVD rating) / Japan:G / Mexico:B-15 / Portugal:M/16 / Singapore:PG13 / South Korea:15 (2015) / Switzerland:14 / UK:15 / USA:R