Movie Review: Loving Pablo. An Addictive and Turbulent Kind of Love Story.

Directed By: Fernando Leon de Aranoa
Written By: Fernando Leon de Aranoa based on the events described in the book,
“Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar” by Virginia Vallejo
Starring: Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard
Rated: R
Run Time: 125 minutes
Release Date: October 5, 2018 in theaters & On-Demand/Digital

Reviewer Rating: 4 ★★★★★

“I love Pablo. I hate Escobar.” – Virginia Vallejo

Admittedly, I had preconceived notions about Loving Pablo. There aren’t many who don’t know about the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar. But many may not have known about his torrid liaison with Virginia Vallejo (Penélope Cruz). Thinking the film would highlight Virginia’s perspective regarding her affair with Pablo Escobar ((Javier Bardem), I was pleasantly surprised at how much Loving Pablo focuses on Pablo’s Medellín Cartel cocaine business. I truly enjoyed the film. It’s engaging, exciting, horrifying, and narcissistic, with a sprinkle of passion thrown in for good measure. The main focal points are Virginia and her work with DEA Agent Shepard (Peter Sarsgaard), Virginia and her affair with Pablo, and Pablo dealing with the price of being the most hated and feared man in Colombia.

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Powerful. Greedy. Loving. Obsessive. These are just a few words to describe journalist Virginia Vallejo’s persona. Her celebrity status gives her some power but she is drawn to other powerful people longing to become more influential. She loves making her own money but also receiving expensive gifts. She is capable of love but perhaps not with her whole heart. And she is obsessed with having fame and notoriety. Throughout Loving Pablo, you see both sides of the addictive and turbulent love affair between the high-profile, well-known Colombian journalist and the “King of Cocaine” himself, the infamous Pablo Escobar. Loving Pablo is unexpectedly arresting and enthralling to watch.

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Bardem as Pablo is frightening. It’s as if he channeled the real Pablo Escobar, especially with his mannerisms and the way he speaks and carries himself. As I watched, the way in which Bardem becomes Pablo is truly astonishing. While the man himself has a murderous reputation, Pablo also has a tender side, especially when it comes to his wife Maria Victoria (Julieth Restrepo) and his children. I did find it humorous that Pablo tells his son “Nancy Regan” says “no” to drugs. Dad of the Year award goes to… However, there is no amount of family tenderness that will ever excuse Pablo of his gruesome activities.

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There is so much violence and quite a few grizzly scenes peppered throughout the film, and I was taken aback at a few of them. There is a scene with Pablo and Virginia at dinner during which he presents her with a gift to protect herself. His horrifying description of what men will do to her if they capture her had me shaking. The writing and direction by Fernando Leon de Aranoa makes you feel as though you are in the middle of it all. The pawn shop scene is truly gripping. When the bullet proof glass in the shop takes the brunt of the machine gun bullets, the sheer terror in Virginia’s screams and tears is haunting. Cruz’s performance in this scene, and throughout the film, is not only compelling, it’s quite convincing.

There are many other gruesome and horrific scenes throughout Loving Pablo. I didn’t anticipate seeing the diabolical and inventive ways Pablo and his men choose to take people out. I knew from news stories back in the early ‘90s, and recent shows like the Netflix series Narcos, that the real Pablo Escobar and the men who worked for him were ruthless. And while watching Loving Pablo, director Leon de Aranoa doesn’t shy away from the bloodshed and truly gory details of how Pablo and the cartel are portrayed in the film.

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While you might expect more about Pablo and Virginia’s intimate love story, this isn’t a sweet, romantic type of tale. This is the dysfunctional kind of love that drives you crazy. It seems as though Pablo wants to possess Virginia more than anything. He doesn’t love her, not in the way a woman wants to be loved, but he enjoys her company both in and out of the bedroom, and her celebrity status to get him on the news. While I’m sure living through the terrifying ordeal at the time took its toll on her, I found it difficult to have sympathy for Virginia. Perhaps the real Virginia is a bit mellower now, but when she was with Pablo, she craved the excitement of being with a {married} man whose reputation put fear into everyone who heard his name. She loved being showered with gifts of money and jewelry. And she loved the attention she received until it all came crashing down. Virginia’s selfishness costs her almost everything, including her own life.

If you’re squeamish at all, be warned. In addition to the violence, there is also some nudity and a brief introduction to child sex trafficking. If you’re looking for an unapologetic, drama laden story based on real events, then watch Loving Pablo.

Official Site https://www.lovingpablofilm.com
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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.