What It’s About
Once a promising young poet, now the middle-aged Oscar Restrepo (Rios) is disheveled and broke, struggling with a serious drinking problem and living with his mother (Soto). He lands a temporary gig teaching high school and discovers Yurlady (Andrade), a poor, unassuming girl who writes lovely poetry. Perhaps Oscar can redeem his life, and the love of estranged daughter Daniela (Corea), by helping Yurlady achieve what he couldn’t. Via old colleague Efrain (Cardona), Oscar enrolls Yurlady in a poetry festival, hoping she’ll take top prize. But nothing goes as planned.
Why We Love It
Soto’s remarkable “A Poet” has been called a black comedy, and while there are humorous moments, they’re outweighed by the pathos running throughout, mostly thanks to Rios’s fearless performance (in his first acting role). His Oscar is a poster boy for unmet potential: he speaks passionately about art but can’t actually make it. He annoys us (and everyone else), but you can’t help feeling for him. The calm, naïve Yurlady (first-timer Andrade), living in poverty and scarcely aware of her own gift, becomes his last chance to gain some self-respect. It’s easy to root for this “Poet”.