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Pinero is a biographical drama film that tells the tale of Miguel Pinero, a very talented Puerto Rican playwright who has become a cultural icon in the New York City arts scene. The movie stars Benjamin Bratt as the title character, Giancarlo Esposito as his best friend and fellow artist Miguel Algarin, and Talisa Soto as his lover, Sugar.

The film follows Pinero's ups and downs as a groundbreaking playwright and poet. We see him as a child growing up in a rough neighborhood in the Bronx, where he nurtures his artistic talents and finds an outlet in writing. The story then fast forwards to the 1970s, when Pinero is a young adult living in the Lower East Side.

Pinero is a gifted writer, but he is also a drug addict and an ex-convict. He is not able to cope with the success he has achieved as a playwright and struggles with personal demons that threaten to derail his career. His work is hailed by critics and audiences alike, but he can't seem to get his life together.

Along the way, Pinero forms a bond with Algarin, who is the founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, a cultural institution that has become the epicenter of the city's spoken-word poetry movement. Algarin helps Pinero get his first play produced and becomes his lifelong friend and collaborator. Sugar is another important figure in Pinero's life. She is a Puerto Rican prostitute who becomes his muse and lover. She is also the inspiration for his most famous play, Short Eyes, which tells the story of a young man on the verge of being incarcerated.

Directed by Leon Ichaso, Pinero is a vivid and visceral portrait of a complex and fascinating artist. The film is shot in a gritty style that captures the raw energy of Pinero's work and the time period in which it was created. The performances by the three main actors are outstanding. Bratt, in particular, gives a career-defining performance as Pinero, bringing sensitivity and depth to the troubled writer.

The film draws attention to issues of race, class, and identity in America. Pinero is a Puerto Rican artist who creates work that speaks to his community but also resonates with a wider audience. His work addresses issues of poverty, addiction, and prison life, but it also celebrates the resilience and creativity of the Puerto Rican people.

One of the most compelling aspects of the film is its exploration of the creative process. We see Pinero crafting his plays and poems, collaborating with Algarin and other artists, and struggling to get his work produced. The film shows us the highs and lows of a life in the arts - the thrill of inspiration, the frustration of rejection, and the pain of self-doubt.

Pinero is not a perfect film. At times it can feel a bit uneven, and some of the supporting characters are not as fully developed as they could be. Nevertheless, it is a powerful and important work that deserves to be seen by anyone interested in the history of theater, poetry, and New York City culture.

In conclusion, Pinero is a compelling drama that offers a glimpse into the life and work of one of New York City's most influential writers. It is a passionate and insightful film that captures the spirit of the Lower East Side scene in the 1970s and the impact of Pinero's work on American culture. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the arts, or in the struggle of the creative process.

Pinero is a 2001 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 40.