Javier Bardem plays writer Reinaldo Arenas in this fine biopic, which shows that leftist totatalitarian regimes can be as stupid and as philistine as their rightist brethren. Arenas, though having supported Castro's revolution, soon finds himself harassed and imprisoned for his being an artist as much as for being homosexual, but finds support and nurturing .

I don't think much of Schnabel as a painter, but his cinematic vision is confident and stylish, without being audacious enough to detract from his well-crafted narrative. Bardem's portrayal of Arenas is compelling and humane and makes me want to look for more of his films. He may be best-known for his role as the wheelchair bound David in Almodóvar's Live Flesh.

Donald Brown