Having already watched the crazily long (72 episodes) mini series on Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria (El Patron del mal), I am pleasantly surprised at how much ground was covered in this single feature-length film, and with such skill. In Paradise Lost, the character of Pablo, and his powerful effect on other people, is illustrated through examining up close the case of one young man (apparently fictional, but I am not sure) who got caught up in his web. How did Pablo seduce people to become devoted to him? What did he do when they were no longer useful to him, or might possibly pose a threat somehow (by revealing information, etc.)? Not difficult to guess, for anyone familiar with the workings of organized crime more generally.
My only quibble would be that the title is somewhat misleading. Although Pablo's character and seeming insanity are revealed, the bulk of the story focuses on another person altogether. I believe that this apparently fictional character is best understood as a composite of some of Escobar's actual victims. That the fellow is something of a doofus makes sense, to be honest, so I find no fault with the acting of the lead. Put another way, just ask yourself this question: Should I marry the niece of the leader of a huge cocaine cartel, who thinks of her as his daughter?
