‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’: The Buendía Family Brought To Life In Stunning Fashion [Review]

“One Hundred Years of Solitude” was published in 1967 by Nobel Prize Winner for Literature, Gabriel García Márquez. This novel is considered a masterpiece of Spanish-American and universal literature. It has received enormous popular acclaim, translated into over 40 languages, and sold over 50 million copies. Now the book that by some has been considered “unfilmable” is ready to make its two-part Netflix series debut on December 11.

THE STORY OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE

In the story of “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, we first meet cousins José Arcadio Buendía, played by Marco Antonio González, and Úrsula Iguarán, played by Susana Morales. They have married against their parent’s wishes. Úrsula now lives in fear of a family lore that says her offspring would be born with pig tails, a fear that we’ll see follow her throughout the series. Meanwhile, José Arcadio is haunted by a man he killed in a duel after making a joke about his wife. This leads the couple and many others to leave the village searching for a new place to build their lives.

After years of wandering through the mountains and a vast swamp that at some points had them traveling in circles. Their goal was to reach the ocean. During this time, Úrsula also gives birth to their first son. At one point, the Buendías and their group stop their search and settle in an area that José Arcadio calls, Macondo.

Throughout the first four episodes of “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, we see the progressive growth of Macondo. Going from their tents to a village, all the way to a prosperous town where Úrsula grows expands, and upgrades their home into a Victorian-style mansion. Meanwhile, José Arcadio becomes an inventor, then an alchemist something that seems to always come first in his life. He is obsessed with his pursuit of knowledge, which if fueled by the Gypsy named, Melquíades, played by Moreno Borja.

We also get to know several generations of the Buendia lineage that will mark the future of the mythical town of Macondo. But it will be plagued by madness, impossible loves, a bloody and absurd war, and a fear of a terrible curse that condemns them to 100 years of solitude.

ALSO SEE: ‘ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLIDTUDE’ TRAILER: GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ’S STORY COMES TO LIFE ON NETFLIX

THE THEMES OF THE STORY

I was worried about how the creative team including directors Alex García López and Laura Mora were going to be able to make this work. There are so many characters that require time and development. In order to understand and fit into the bigger picture of the story. Not to mention the themes of faith versus logic and rationality versus superstition that are at the center of the family. Along with those there are also universal themes that seem to corrupt the Buendias and the town including desire, religion, envy, and politics.

THE GOOD

“One Hundred Years of Solitude” is beautifully shot in Columbia. The colors and imagery throughout the series lay the foundation for the journey that the series is going to take you on. This along with allowing each scene to simmer and develop. While you are enamored with the sounds of nature, the village, and the calm voice of the narrator. There is also such great care in how the depiction of the mythical which is wrapped with the scientific growth of the Macondo. It seems to blend beautifully, further elevating the beauty and mystique of the town and the family.

Speaking of the family, the series features fantastic performances. Especially that of Marleyda Soto, who plays the older Úrsula in the series. She does such a great job at showing audiences the weight that she carries. She is the pillar of the Buendia family. While her husband continues to dive deeper into his work that eventually drives him to madness.

THE BAD

Just like the novel, this series demands your time and attention. This could be a challenge as each of the eight episodes is an hour long. The hope is that the time and effort put in by the actors and creative team keeps you engaged. In my opinion, (if you don’t speak Spanish) this series is best enjoyed in its original language. It adds the perfect seasoning to this Columbian tale.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

“One Hundred Years of Solitude” is one of the most beautiful series I have seen. I was invested in the characters throughout each of their journeys and how they intertwined with each other. I think that it’s a beautiful look at Columbian storytelling. The series was entirely filmed in the South American country with a cast predominantly Columbian. It also just showcases humanity in all its forms and all of the curses that so-called progress sometimes brings with it.