Brought to you by The Infiltrator
Here at JOE we’re addicted to Narcos…
We’ve just mainlined Season 2 and now we’re itching for another hit of Reagan-era, Colombia-based, drug-fuelled drama.
Salvation is at hand in the form of The Infiltrator, the new movie starring Breaking Bad legend Bryan Cranston. If you’re a fan of Narcos, then this is why The Infiltrator will also be right up your alley…
1. The man himself, Pablo Escobar
Is there a more consistently fascinating criminal of the 20th century than Pablo Escobar?
Part-scourge, part-Robin Hood, he was reviled and loved in equal measures by the people of Colombia. The subject of dozens of books and films (and even the odd JOE article), the mythology behind Escobar isn’t set to diminish anytime soon.
Narcos had an amazing lead in Wagner Moura, a star-making turn that was universally praised by critics. The leading man in The Infiltrator ain’t no slouch either…
2. The man who would topple Escobar
The supremely talented Bryan Cranston takes on the role of a lifetime as CIA agent Robert Mazur, an undercover customs agent who served as a money-launderer for Pablo Escobar’s drug empire.
Mazur had to go deep undercover in order to befriend the criminals he hoped to take down and, much like Escobar, Mazur’s life and identity were in constant states of flux as he switched from being a devoted family man to his persona as a dangerous, amoral outlaw.
3. A brilliant supporting cast
Cranston’s supported by one of the best ensembles of the year.
John Leguizamo portrays Mazur’s larger-than-life partner, Inglorious Basterds star, Diane Kruger, is another CIA agent who plays Mazur’s undercover fiancee and Benjamin Bratt is the liaison to the cartel.
Brilliantly for Irish fans, The Infiltrator stars a man who is no stranger to organised crime, Nidge AKA Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, also along for the ride as Mazur’s supervisor.
4. The crazy moustaches
If you’ve noticed a lot of mustaches lately, Narcos may be the culprit.
It seems that if you were involved on either side of the drugs trade in the 1980s, some funky facial hair seemed to be part of the dress code. Behold the quality lip warmers below in all their fuzzy glory.
5. The insane true story
Mazur’s story of going deep undercover rewrote the rule books for policing agents worldwide.
No-one had ever gone so undercover for such a sustained period of time. If you recall the heavies in Narcos, Escobar’s soldiers weren’t the most relaxed fellas (probably something to do with their cocaine-fueled lives of crime). Mazur’s ruse meant that he had to essentially befriend the worst of Escobar’s henchmen and sustain that friendship over several years.
Imagine having to talk to an eejit off their face at a party, but instead of it being for one night, it goes on for years and years and years.
This is a level of acting commitment that makes Daniel Day-Lewis look like a lazy bum.
6. The drugs trail
Unlike Narcos, The Infiltrator focuses more heavily on taking down the bank that Escobar used to launder his mountains of drug money.
The Bank of Credit and Commerce International were only to happy to turn the Colombian cocaine money into legitimate assets. Mazur and his team targeted the bank with surgical precision, and the bank employees were ultimately more unpredictable and untrustworthy than any of Pablo’s criminal associates.
7. The stunning setting in 1980s Florida and Colombia
The film begins in the very sunny Tampa, Florida, in 1985, while the action hops between Florida and the steamy jungles of Colombia where drugs kingpin Pablo Escobar’s cocaine operation was turning a profit that dwarfs the GDP of most countries.
And sure what could help you enjoy that sunny weather in paradise more than some Factor 50 suncream, a 99 with a flake in it and a big pile of cocaine.
8. The super soundtrack
Fans of the soundtrack to Narcos will find a lot more hits from the era from a diverse number of artists, from the stripped-down bassy ballads of Leonard Cohen, to the rock and roll euphoria of The Who.
Clip via oumst2
So there you have it Narcos fans, The Infiltrator is the perfect companion to tide you over Season 3 rolls around.
Here’s the excellent trailer to whet your appetite…
Clip via Warner Bros Uk
The Infiltrator, Certificate 15A, is released in Irish cinemas on 16 September.
(C) 2016 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Brought to you by The Infiltrator
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