Netflix series with sensational 100% Rotten Tomatoes score praised as ‘perfect’-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

A Netflix series based on a beloved book that has sold more than 50 million copies has ‘done justice’ to the source material.

Published in 1967, Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude charts the multi-generational story of the Buendía family, whose patriarch, José Arcadio Buendía, founded the fictitious town of Macondo.

Since it was published, the book has been translated into 46 languages and credited with being one of the most significant works in both Hispanic and world literature.

This is the first time the story has been adapted for the screen, with the author (who died in 2014) refusing to sell the screening rights during his lifetime.

He didn’t want it to be adapted in any language other than Spanish and was concerned a film adaptation would be unable to cover the extensive plot.

However, the Netflix series, which was developed over six years and will run for a total of 16 episodes, was supported by his son, shot in Colombia and sees all of the characters lines speak Spanish.

The Netflix adaptation of One Hundred Years Of Solitude has been labelled a ‘masterpiece’ (Picture: Mauro González/ Netflix)

It is based on the 1967 novel by Gabriel García Márquez (Picture: Netflix, Inc./ Mauro Gonzalez. All Rights Reserved)

It is also the most expensive Latin American-made project to date, with Colombian groups and indigenous communities also contributing to the production.

Reviews for the series, which is out today, have now started being released and they have been glowing.

Critics, whose reviews have seen the series receive an 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, have commended the production, which many pointed out was previously considered ‘unfilmable’.

‘Considering the difficulty of the assignment, it’s remarkable how close Netflix’s splendid One Hundred Years of Solitude… comes to recreating not just the substance, but also the kinetic spirit of the book,’ Time’s review read.

The book was previously considered to be ‘unfilmable’ with the author not wanting it adapted (Picture: Mauro González/ Netflix)

‘This is a masterpiece in its own right. Not only does the Spanish-language series breathe new life into Márquez’ supposedly unfilmable novel, but it also succeeds as a triumph of filmmaking thanks to stunning cinematography and an epic story that spans across multiple generations of the ill-fated Buendía family,’ Collider wrote.

‘Even after these initial eight episodes, the streamer can certainly add this ambitious series to its list of staggering successes. Márquez may have been resistant to the idea of his novel ever becoming a film, but the parties behind this television adaptation have adapted this monumental work of literature with evident care and authenticity – and created something that, like its magic-infused source material, will ultimately stand the test of time in a completely new medium,’ it added.

‘It feels nothing short of miraculous. As does the fact that the creators have achieved the seemingly impossible: remaining faithful to the source material while artfully translating it into a piece of visually gorgeous storytelling…I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such a perfectly crafted literary adaptation,’ The Independent review read.

Even the director admitted he was uncertain of the ambition of the project (Picture: Mauro González/ Netflix)

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly ahead of the show’s release Argentinian-born director Alex García López admitted he found the project daunting.

‘I (first) read the book when I was a teenager, and I loved it. It’s an incredible piece of literature, incredibly unique, powerful, magical, violent, dramatic, emotional. It has everything,’ he said.

‘It tells the story of, not only Colombia, but I think of Latin America as a whole. So, when Netflix approached me, my initial reaction was like, “I’ll have to re-read it again and get back to you”,’ because it’s a daunting task. It’s a very epic novel, not only creatively, but also in terms of the cultural weight of bringing such a big, beloved book to life.’

After re-reading the book in both Spanish and English before accepting the offer, the director added that ‘it’s not worth doing a project if there’s not an element of fear driving and inspiring you’.

One Hundred Years of Solitude is streaming on Netflix.

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