Watch Fires Within
- R
- 1991
- 1 hr 26 min
-
4.7 (465)
Fires Within is a 1991 drama film directed by Gillian Armstrong and stars Jimmy Smits, Greta Scacchi, and Vincent D'Onofrio. The film tells the story of an exiled Cuban poet named Nestor Almendros (Smits) who has recently arrived in Miami with his wife and son. They are living in a refugee center and are struggling to adapt to their new surroundings.
Nestor is tormented by memories of his past life in Cuba and longs to return home. However, his wife, Isabel (Scacchi), is determined to create a new life for their family in America. She takes a job as a translator and begins to make connections with the Cuban community in Miami.
Meanwhile, Nestor becomes increasingly isolated and begins to have visions of a beautiful woman named Ana (D'Onofrio). Ana is a mysterious figure who seems to represent Nestor's lost homeland, and he longs to be with her. As his obsession with Ana grows, he becomes distant from his family and starts to neglect his poetry.
The arrival of an old friend from Cuba named Orlando (José Zúñiga) further complicates Nestor's life. Orlando is a former comrade who has become disillusioned with the revolution and is now working for the CIA. He offers Nestor a chance to return to Cuba and fight against the government, but Nestor is torn between his desire to be with Ana and his duty to his family.
As tensions mount, Nestor's relationship with Isabel becomes strained, and he must decide whether to stay in America or return to Cuba. Ultimately, he must choose between his love for Ana and his responsibility to his wife and son.
Fires Within is a powerful film that explores themes of exile, identity, and the struggle to find a sense of belonging. The performances of the lead actors are outstanding, with Jimmy Smits delivering a standout performance as the tortured poet, Nestor.
The film also features stunning cinematography that captures the beauty and complexity of Miami and Cuba. The use of flashbacks and dream sequences adds to the film's dreamlike and surreal tone, and the haunting score by Hans Zimmer creates an emotional and evocative atmosphere.
Overall, Fires Within is a deeply moving and thought-provoking drama that paints a vivid picture of the immigrant experience in America. It is a film that challenges and inspires, and one that is sure to linger in the minds of viewers long after the credits roll.
Fires Within is a 1991 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.