I had high expectatins for Pinero, being a big fan of Benjamin Pratt, and with recolations of the very good Before Night Falls, also about a HIspanic poet.
Pinero has much to recommend it, an interesting and creative cinematic style, and a no holes barred performance by Benjamin Bratt.
Unfortunately there isn't much of a story, and the Pinero character comes off as little more as a loose cannon, wise cracking motor mouth. There is very little depth here, and no real reason for me to be convinced that this guy was an important character. It just was not involving. In Before Night Falls the poetry was interwoven into an interesting narrative journey. Here it just seems like a series of poetry readings.
I am also reminded of the Bob Fosse's superb 1974 film "Lenny.", a movie so much richer in detail and story.
My own bias would dictate that more was made of Pinero's bisexuality. There is one very telling and amusing scene about this, and I did appreciate the love and affection displayed between Pinero and his friend at the end.
All in all, a worthy effort, but not all that I had hoped for.
Pinero has much to recommend it, an interesting and creative cinematic style, and a no holes barred performance by Benjamin Bratt.
Unfortunately there isn't much of a story, and the Pinero character comes off as little more as a loose cannon, wise cracking motor mouth. There is very little depth here, and no real reason for me to be convinced that this guy was an important character. It just was not involving. In Before Night Falls the poetry was interwoven into an interesting narrative journey. Here it just seems like a series of poetry readings.
I am also reminded of the Bob Fosse's superb 1974 film "Lenny.", a movie so much richer in detail and story.
My own bias would dictate that more was made of Pinero's bisexuality. There is one very telling and amusing scene about this, and I did appreciate the love and affection displayed between Pinero and his friend at the end.
All in all, a worthy effort, but not all that I had hoped for.