THE TRAILER

 PLOT OVERVIEW:

Unlike many other writers, Corben understands how to let others share the story of themselves. Even while it may seem simple, it isn’t. When he interviews individuals for films such as “Cocaine Cowboys” and “Screwball,” he gleans interesting stories and knows how to weave sound snippets into a story. Allow individuals to tell their tales, and they’ll offer you what you need in return.

As the owners of a $2 billion enterprise, the Cocaine Cowboys were targets of the war on drugs in the 1980s, but the film’s narrative isn’t one of a violent and murderous criminal gang. But Corben’s series is about Magluta’s trial and a crucial player’s actions, which ultimately led to Magluta’s downfall, as well as the legal procedures against the two individuals.

The interviews in this project are complete with illuminating humor. Criminals, officials, and even a few jurors recount their tales, and Corben obtains some fantastic ones from all of them (including a violent altercation in the jury chamber and numerous disclosures of payments to jurors). While some of these professional criminals may seem a little relaxed, Corben and his crew manage to find the right balance between elevating the criminal environment and exposing the fascinating personalities who characterized it.
Criminals aren’t the only ones at fault. Magluta and Falcon’s opponents are almost as well-represented in “Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami,” which evolves into a more well-rounded production due to spending nearly as much time with them. In addition to Albert Krieger, Marilyn Bonachea is the star of the show. Her name is on everyone’s lips. She was a significant participant in the organization who kept it running until she felt betrayed by the group.

The predominance of “talking head documentaries” is frequently derided by reviewers. However, there’s still something to be said about a well-produced production comprising only interviews and historical material. It’s easy to keep track of players’ connections using charts, but it’s difficult to unravel a narrative as intricate as this one via interviews alone. We don’t have a narrator to break things down, yet we never lose our way. As for the facts and the entertainment value, Corben finds a way to strike a balance.

It’s the story of two furious adolescents who built an empire and became folk heroes in their area of the nation. So much so that they lived in plain sight as fugitives. They believed they were invulnerable for a long time, and they were correct. News stories on Falcon and Magluta, on the other hand, are plentiful.