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El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie Netflix film review


★★★★

Directed by: #VinceGilligan

Written by: Vince Gilligan

 

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie Review


It’s been six years since the Breaking Bad finale when we saw Walter White’s meth empire crumble to the ground as he lay dying next to his precious lab equipment, wrapping up possibly the greatest series of all time. However, there was only one real loose end that niggled at fans: what happened to Jessie Pinkman after Walt liberated him from neo-Nazi captivity?

Thankfully, Vince Gilligan and Aaron Paul weren’t willing to let this answer go either, despite making us wait for it!


El Camino picks up directly after Jessie crashes out of the compound gates and races to freedom. A very wanted man and completely traumatised, Jessie must face his past wrongdoings in order to find a new way to live with himself.

Whilst El Camino doesn’t necessarily add all that much to the franchise and, indeed like most Breaking Bad episodes, not all that much actually happens within the story, the film is captivating, moving and an overall success. Perhaps because of the audience’s love for Jessie as well as an expectance and forgiveness for the slower storytelling, this swansong stands as a wonderful homage to a stunning piece of television.


It is a career high for Paul who, as ever, masters non-verbal acting and demands the most from his character. His dialogue is minimal, at least in the first half of the film, and this culminates in a demonstration of remarkable talent as a leading actor when the final result is so enchanting.


Not that he was necessarily ever in the shadow of Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul still deserves this story and it’s focus for the character of Jessie, who he immortalised as only he could have.


El Camino can not be described as surprising – indeed only that which Breaking Bad fans could expect to have happened, really happens. And the lack of many breathing beloved characters no doubt manages the expectations of fans. But the beauty is in the subtlety of reality. The predictable cameos are emotional. The unpredictable backstory is so very enticing. And the conclusion is every bit as understated as you could ever expect from such an excellent collaboration.


 

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