Escobar: Paradise Lost
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Andrea Di Stefano (director and screenwriter) |
| Products | Romantic thriller film |
Escobar: Paradise Lost, alternatively titled Paradise Lost, is a 2014 romantic thriller marking the directorial debut of Andrea Di Stefano, who also penned the screenplay. The narrative centers on a surfer who, while collaborating with his brother in Colombia, falls for a woman whose uncle is the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
In February 2014, North American distribution rights were secured by RADiUS-TWC. The film had its debut at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2014, followed by a limited theatrical release across the United States on June 26, 2015.
Plot
Nick Brady travels to Colombia with his brother and encounters Maria, the niece of drug lord Pablo Escobar. Aware of the peril surrounding Escobar, Nick and Maria devise a plan to escape Colombia alongside Nick’s brother, sister-in-law, and their child.
Before their departure, Pablo calls Nick and his trusted associates together to disclose that he has negotiated a deal with authorities that will result in a lengthy imprisonment. He orders them to conceal his valuable stash within caves during his incarceration. Nick’s assignment is to place crates inside a cave, seal the entrance with explosives, and then eliminate his guide; however, he refuses upon learning the guide is merely 15 years old.
Nick soon realizes he is listed as a target by Escobar’s assassins. Surrounded by hired killers, law enforcement, and militias in a hostile town, Nick narrowly escapes to rendezvous with Maria at the Canadian consulate.
While urging his family to flee, Nick receives news that Escobar’s men have murdered his brother and shot his brother’s wife and child during their conversation. After a gunfight that results in two assassins dead and Nick wounded by gunfire himself, he reaches Maria outside the consulate but succumbs to his injuries shortly after. Maria’s fate remains unresolved as she encounters additional Escobar operatives seeking assistance.
Cast
- Benicio del Toro portrays Pablo Escobar
- Josh Hutcherson plays Nick Brady
- Claudia Traisac appears as Maria
- Brady Corbet portrays Dylan Brady
- Carlos Bardem as Drago
- Ana Girardot as Anne
- Aaron Zebede as Pepito Torres
- Frank Spano as Christo
- Laura Londoño as María Victoria
- Micke Moreno as Martin
Pre-production
Andrea Di Stefano drew inspiration from a true story about an Italian man who became closely involved with the Escobar family and subsequently encountered serious trouble. Josh Hutcherson took on an executive producer role, assisting with casting decisions and shot composition.
Casting
On December 17, 2012, rumors circulated that Josh Hutcherson was being considered for the lead role. The following day confirmed Hutcherson’s casting as Nick Brady. On March 25, 2013, Brady Corbet was announced as cast in the role of Dylan Brady, the protagonist’s brother.
Filming
Principal photography commenced in Panama in March 2013 with an initial schedule of six weeks, targeting completion by May 30, 2013. Nonetheless, filming extended into June and July of that year.
Release
Escobar: Paradise Lost had its premiere at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2014. It was also showcased at several other festivals including the 2014 Telluride Film Festival, San Sebastian Film Festival, Rome Film Festival, and Zurich Film Festival.
Marketing
The initial teaser trailer was made available on July 14, 2014. Subsequently, in August, four new promotional still images were released. Official trailers were then launched on September 3 and November 13, 2014.
Home media
Escobar: Paradise Lost became accessible on DVD and Blu-ray starting March 19, 2015 in France, followed by releases in Australia and New Zealand on April 15, 2015. Later, the film was distributed in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands on September 21, 2015.
Box office
During its opening weekend, the movie earned $601,554 in France, $620,845 in Spain, and $79,637 in the United Arab Emirates. By September 7, 2015, total revenue from six international markets reached $3.56 million. In the United States, the film generated $195,792 during its limited theatrical run in June and July of 2015.
Critical response
As of June 2020, Escobar: Paradise Lost holds a 55% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 56 reviews with an average score of 5.62 out of 10. On Metacritic, it has a score of 56 out of 100 from 19 critics, signifying "mixed or average reviews."
At the Telluride Film Festival, the film was generally well-received. Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter referred to it as "an engaging and suspenseful drug trade drama," commending Benicio del Toro's powerful portrayal and director Andrea Di Stefano’s adept management of pivotal action scenes. Nonetheless, McCarthy pointed out that the romantic storyline felt repetitive and that the protagonist’s innocence could be somewhat wearisome.
Eric Kohn from Indiewire assigned the film a B grade, applauding del Toro’s depiction of Escobar as a restrained yet intimidating presence alongside Josh Hutcherson’s credible lead role. However, Kohn criticized the script for its underdeveloped supporting characters and clichéd elements that diminished the overall dramatic effect.
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Platino Ibero-American Film Awards | Best Actor | Benicio Del Toro | Template:Nom |