while i have the pleasure of see this film mere block away from the nuyorican cafe and i be crawl to escape the theater . benjamin bratt certainly act his heart out and and i applaud him for that and but it be hard to picture the supermodel esque bratt a the late poet or junkie or ex con . this be a minor point and though . i be very disappointed with the music video style fast cut and loop of time sequence . often the camera never pause long enough to leave an impact and let a character develop . also and i must confess and it be hard for me to separate the movie from my lack of respect for the struggle this man endure . comment like all people see u a be doorman and etc . be repeat a few time . while this can be true and how be that different than any other major immigrant group in history ( each start on the bottom and crawl up ) . i think the scene in san juan where a puerto rican man stand up and question his so call struggle say it all . pinero ( movie ) response be very weak . i feel like parallel be be draw to comparable figure in black american history it isn not apple to apple . pinero be a troubled and gifted man and and be give opportunity that he squander away . while the film mildly acknowledge that from time to time the romantic struggle theme quickly swoop in and obliterate it . i agree that every people need a voice and pinero be a very fascinating and influential one and but he should have be show raw and non romanticize and unlike this drivel . see short eye if you want pinero straight . see before night fall if you want an un romanticize struggle for artistic and political freedom .