Dévoré par les flammes

If you know the details of the story, it's just not very entertaining. Perhaps because I just watched the documentary series, that this dramatic retelling feels redundant. With nothing especially gripping about either the story telling, the acting, or the level of suspense, I got bored with it quickly. It seemed to drag on and on. They could have done this in a 90 minute movie.

This is an interesting case, and the documentary series is very good, I highly recommend it. I probably would have liked this dramatic series more if I hadn't known the details of the case going into it. Instead, I wanted it to be over after about 3 episodes, just to get to the end.

I didn't know that this was based a real case before I started to watch it. Approached as pure drama it is a magnificent piece of work. Very well written - the twists and turns of the story unfold gradually as the viewer is taken through the facts and fictions of the case, and perceptions of the characters change as their actual actions are revealed. The acting is very good too. The two leads - both sultry, hot and erotic - add some sexual charge to the drama, which underlies the entire case: Two people who find it difficult to keep their hands off each other. How close this is to the actual case, I do not know. But as drama it worked very well indeed.

At first, the series seemed like a pretty standard police thriller. It was mediocre in every respect. I don't mean this in a bad way. All the pieces were in place, but the series didn't seem to offer anything new and special.

However, the series slowly builds up and eventually it becomes about power and how any power corrupts. And revenge. This series was about Rosa. Her constant dissatisfaction and how she used her charm as an instrument of power in an environment full of immature macho men. A love of self and power. The notion that there are no limits and everyone can be manipulated without consequence. Until the consequences come.

I have to say that Rosa was an absolutely horrible person. Manipulative and arrogant, narcissistic. Men were mostly just stupid and seduced by their penises. I don't really understand these men. No self-respect whatsoever. Pathetic. Úrsula Corberó, who played Rosa, gave a good performance. It was so strong that you really started to hate the character.

The weakness of the series is the same that plagues many series. The series was prolonged for no good reason. It's good to take your time to build a set-up, but in this series things were repeated, repetitive and over-emphasised. The same things were underlined many times. A hint would have been enough in many cases. Confidence in the viewer. Of course, this is business and we wanted more episodes. In any case, the series would have been better as more concise. 4-6 episodes would have been just fine.

Still, worth a watch.

Now streaming on Netflix (released on 8th September 2023), this limited series, primarily in Spanish, delves into a harrowing tale inspired by true events. I opted for the English-dubbed version, providing a more familiar auditory experience.

At the heart of the story lies the brutal murder of a police officer, burned beyond recognition. Suspicion quickly narrows down to two other agents intricately connected to the deceased: his girlfriend and her secret lover. What unfolds is an intricate web of relationships, motives, and dark secrets, further emphasized by the real-life recordings featured in "Rosa Peral's Tapes", which Netflix has made available concurrently.

Úrsula Corberó, whom many might recognize as Tokyo from the hit series "Money Heist" (2017-21), takes center stage, portraying Rosa Peral. Her performance is stellar; she excels in capturing the essence of a character battling internal tumult. Her controlled demeanor and ability to convey raw emotion without overt theatrics only amplify the suspense. Admittedly, it was her reputation from "Money Heist" that drew me to "Burning Body" in the first place.

Though the pacing is deliberate, every scene drips with tension. Every character is masterfully fleshed out, carrying layers of depth and mystery. The meticulously crafted storyline, paired with a contemplative ending, solidifies "Burning Body" as a gem within the 'Dark Crime Thriller' genre. The fact that this tale mirrors real-life events only adds to its allure.

Despite its merits, I did find the series occasionally languid, docking a star for the same. However, for those with a penchant for gripping narratives and real-life mysteries, "Burning Body" is an absolute must-watch.

I am Catalan/Spaniard so I was expecting this mini series because I knew about this terrible crime/story. To be honest, the cast and direction here does an excellent job. Almost everything is great except for the crime.

First, the story is around 80% true so it is important to know that this crime had happened almost identical as the producers here want to explain.

Second, I have enjoyed the settings. Real and pretty similar to real life. I appreciate they used real locations and places where they used to move.

Last, there is something I don't really liked here. The music. It does not really fit well here. Forced, and nothing to do with the story. There was one time were I had to turn the volume down.

Anyway, nothing is perfect. But this mini series is great and I recommend to everyone who love inspired on true events, crime fiction. Enjoy!