Griselda arrives January 25 on Netflix.
By Elazar Abrahams
Griselda Blanco was a fearsome Colombian woman who revolutionized the drug trade, starting in Miami and making her way to other major American cities. Nicknamed the “Cocaine Godmother,” Blanco was infamous for her ruthlessness and command of her empire. But did she start out that way? A new miniseries, fittingly from the creators of Narcos and Narcos: Mexico, dramatizes the queenpin’s life over the course of six brisk episodes. It’s a rewarding watch that, if nothing else, easily surpasses Griselda’s 2018 Lifetime biopic.
Sofia Vergara stars in the titular role, really transforming herself into Griselda. She absolutely carries the series, with a gripping portrayal of a woman first struggling to run away from an abusive relationship and ensure the safety of her three children, and later as a reviled criminal on the run from the law. Viewers will feel just the right amount of sympathy for Blanco — certainly not too much — which is an impressive feat. The show is not going for a Breaking Bad-style character arc, as Griselda is never all that “good” to begin with. However, we still see a relatively well paced descent from the justifiable to the irredeemable violent killing sprees she will carry out on her enemies.
The biggest problem with the miniseries is that aside from the, there are no other characters to care about or to get attached to. Sure, the cast includes Griselda’s business partners, other drug lords, her bodyguard turned love interest, and a young female cop hot on her trail but always a few steps behind, but none of them get substantial b-plots or screen time, and so it’s hard to buy in. Regrettably, emotional investment is therefore limited. Plus in a story like this, true to life, no one is safe. Assassinations are carried out on whims and before you can process, Griselda needs to move on to other allies and she keeps upping her game. In only six episodes, this can get annoying, as many faces are in and out of the show between the title card and credits.
Still, one can tell the show is crafted with a lot of love. Most of the dialogue is delivered in Spanish, adding authenticity to the tale, and not watering anything down for English-speaking audiences. The season tows a careful line of schlocky South Florida set pieces and riveting crime drama, making for a delectable weekend binge.
I give Griselda a B.
TV and City 