Rating: 
Summary: Gripping story of a great Puerto Rican writer
Review: "Pinero," written and directed by Leon Ichaso, tells the story of Puerto Rican playwright Miguel Pinero. Benjamin Bratt turns in a charismatic performance as the title character, and is ably supported by an outstanding group of fellow actors. Pinero's story is told in a fragmented style, and Latin music effectively accompanies the story.The performances in the film are really special. Mandy Patinkin is a powerful presence as theatrical figure Joseph Papp. Giancarlo Esposito plays writer Miguel Algarin, and he has superb chemistry with Bratt. And I was particularly moved by Rita Moreno's portrayal of Pinero's mother; one scene between her and Bratt is particularly heartwrenching. The film covers many important aspects of Pinero's life: his time in jail, the opening of his landmark play "Short Eyes," his Puerto Rican/"Nuyorican" identity, and more. Ichaso paints his canvas with some powerful and disturbing visuals. Despite the many good aspects of the film, I didn't find it wholly satisfying; in a sense I find Pinero the man even more of an enigma after seeing the film. But this is still a film well worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping story of a great Puerto Rican writer
Review: "Pinero," written and directed by Leon Ichaso, tells the story of Puerto Rican playwright Miguel Pinero. Benjamin Bratt turns in a charismatic performance as the title character, and is ably supported by an outstanding group of fellow actors. Pinero's story is told in a fragmented style, and Latin music effectively accompanies the story. The performances in the film are really special. Mandy Patinkin is a powerful presence as theatrical figure Joseph Papp. Giancarlo Esposito plays writer Miguel Algarin, and he has superb chemistry with Bratt. And I was particularly moved by Rita Moreno's portrayal of Pinero's mother; one scene between her and Bratt is particularly heartwrenching. The film covers many important aspects of Pinero's life: his time in jail, the opening of his landmark play "Short Eyes," his Puerto Rican/"Nuyorican" identity, and more. Ichaso paints his canvas with some powerful and disturbing visuals. Despite the many good aspects of the film, I didn't find it wholly satisfying; in a sense I find Pinero the man even more of an enigma after seeing the film. But this is still a film well worth seeing.
Rating: 
Summary: Miguel Piñero, 150614
Review: After his father abandons his family, Miguel Piñero starts a journey that will take him through the lowest and highest points imaginable. Miguel was prayed upon by perverted adults in his childhood, became a drug addict, and ended committing a series of crimes and going to prison (prisoner 150614). During his stay in Sing Sing a visit by his mother urging him to make her proud motivates him to start writing a play about life in prison called Short Eyes, which will be his first step towards stardom. Life after prison did not change much, he was successful as a poet and writer, but his personality made him return to his bad habits. His belief was that a painful and troubling life results in devotion to the truth, and therefore allowed him to write in such an exceptional way. The movie shows the particular relationship Piñero had with some of his friends, two of which appear as particularly prominent, Miguel Algarin and Tito Goya; the former a professor at Rutgers, the latter a partner in crime and drugs. This also shows the duality that was present in other aspects of his life. There are several other manifestations on this duality throughout the movie, for example Miguel had a "stable" relationship with Sugar, his girlfriend, but he also had amorous relationships with other men. The style in which the movie is presented corresponds well with the inner turmoil Piñero experienced. There is an interesting use of alternation between black and white and color scenes and the action keeps moving forward and backward in time without any clear array. The performance given by Benjamin Bratt is extraordinary. I do not like this actor particularly, but in this case I have to acknowledge he fitted the role perfectly. He also performed extremely well in the parts in which it is required from him to recite poems. This is an amazing movie and I think everyone should see it. Nevertheless, if you are uncomfortable with non-linear sequence in the action, or are not interested in the least in poetry, it would be better for you to skip it. On the contrary for those of you that have watched and enjoyed the show "Def Poetry" in the past, this movie will be memorable. The poem in the last scene will give you goose bumps and leave you breathless!
Rating:
Summary: Pinero
Review: An amazine lyrical ride through the life of a true artist/poet. This movie pulls together all the vices of a man whos comand of language was that of a street poet but pulled at such reality and emotion that his world became a vision in the mind. Bratt's emotional conection to the part made it seem like he was Pinero himself. I was so moved by the movie I bought all of Pinero's books.
Rating:
Summary: soulful and moving
Review: Benjamin Bratt delivers an outstanding performance as poet/playwright Miguel Pinero. His accurate and believable portrayal of the "Nuyorican" deserves much more acclaim than the little attention it received when the movie was first released. While being a Nuyorican myself allows me to engage in the character's world and plight perhaps more than those outside of the community, the internal struggle Pinero faces daily should resonate with anyone who has dealt with less than perfect circumstances. The movie is raw and strikes at the core of what makes an artist both successful and doomed- the ability to allow himself to feel and articulate life's beauty, hypocrisy, and irony all in one breath, paint stroke, song, dance, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Benjamin Bratt Is Phenomenal!
Review: Benjamin Bratt gives as good a movie performance as I have seen in years in his portrayal of Miguel Pinero. When he is on the screen, which is most of the time, you cannot take your eyes off him no matter what is going on or who else is involved. I don't know much about Pinero and the action is sometimes difficult to follow--for me going constantly from black and white back to color added nothing to the movie either-- but in spite of these weaknesses, Bratt by the sheer brilliance of his acting makes this movie quite an experience and well worth your time. Mr. Bratt is certainly an actor not to be dismissed lightly.
Rating: 
Summary: A pretentious film which takes too much for granted
Review: Benjamin Bratt stars as Miguel Pinero, a Nuyorican poet-playwright and habitual criminal who is credited as a seminal influence on East Coast hip-hop and boriqueno salsa culture. The acting throughout is excellent, but the episodic, disconnected narrative and style-heavy editing ultimately undercut the film. It's not simply that the presentation is nonlinear; rather, it's that the film is ineffective at explaining Pinero's relationships to his friends, lovers and his art, all of which are hazily outlined, and difficult to care about. The poet's triumphs and failings abruptly emerge then melt away, as the director and editor try to infuse their film with the same intensity and explosive, rhythmic charisma as its subject. They also seem to assume a high level of audience familiarity with the Pinero's work, and thus fail to frame him as effectively as similar artist bioflicks such as "Basquiat" and "Before Night Falls," which more clearly defined their subjects. This probably is a brilliant film, but I found myself irritated that I had to work so hard to maintain my interest, and while I found the performances magnetic and absorbing, many other aspects were irritating and pretentious.
Rating:
Summary: Bratt is amazing
Review: Bratt is simply amazing as Pinero and I really liked this movie. you should watch it. not for every taste though but a great retelling of a man. im not gonna tell you about just watch it and think what you thought about it and im saying I recommend it
Rating:
Summary: the voice of the nuyorican poets
Review: He was a poet & an actor more so he was an artist, this film captures the essence of this brillant writer. Benjamin Bratt
becomes Pinero, you see pinero's spirit take on that of bratt.
It's hard to believe there isn't much on Miguel Pinero's life,
finally with this Film we get an window into the world of this man and his poetry. see this film with an open mind
Rating:
Summary: the voice of the nuyorican poets
Review: He was a poet & an actor more so he was an artist, this film captures the essence of this brillant writer. Benjamin Bratt
becomes Pinero, you see pinero's spirit take on that of bratt.
It's hard to believe there isn't much on Miguel Pinero's life,
finally with this Film we get an window into the world of this man and his poetry. see this film with an open mind
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