This autobiographical movie follows the life of Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas (Javier Bardem). It starts with his childhood in 1943. After the victory of the revolution, he gains friends and success as a young writer in Havana. It's heady days of a sexual revolution until his homosexuality is deemed dangerous. He tries to escape to America but is imprisoned. His writing gains some popularity outside of Cuba. In prison, he is surprisingly valued by the other prisoners for his writing skills. He writes his novel in between writing for everybody else. Bon Bon (Johnny Depp) is a transvestite inmate and Lt. Victor (Johnny Depp) is their vicious guard. Arenas becomes part of the boat lift exodus and arrives in New York.
Javier Bardem is simply amazing. His presence is incredible. The movie is a bit long. The early childhood has interesting stuff but is not strictly necessary. It could have started around 1960 after Castro marches into Havana. It could be a bit more interesting style-wise. Johnny Depp is a little weird and seems out of place. Through it all, there is the great performance from Javier Bardem.
Javier Bardem is simply amazing. His presence is incredible. The movie is a bit long. The early childhood has interesting stuff but is not strictly necessary. It could have started around 1960 after Castro marches into Havana. It could be a bit more interesting style-wise. Johnny Depp is a little weird and seems out of place. Through it all, there is the great performance from Javier Bardem.