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Cuban-born director Leon Ichaso (Miami Vice, Sugar Hill) brings us this biographical film of the life of Miguel Piñero, a latino poet, playwright and actor whose work has been incredibly influential within the minority community (specifically the latino community) in New York.

The cast is chock-full of familiar though not necessarily known faces. Playing the lead is Benjamin Bratt in what is being viewed by some as an Oscar-worthy performance. Supporting Bratt are Taliso Soto (Mortal Kombat, Fly Paper), Rita Moreno (Oz, The Cosby Mysteries) and Giancarlo Esposito (The Usual Suspects, Homicide: Life On The Streets).

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to excellent reviews though its unique style might prove a bit off-putting to more less-discerning viewers. There might be some Oscar buzz surrounding this film after it goes into wider release. The current plan is to have it open in New York where it will likely do well and possibly build momentum from there as Oscar season chugs along. (Walid Habboub/BOP)

Vital statistics for Piñero Main Cast Benjamin Bratt, Giancarlo Esposito, Talisa Soto Supporting Cast Nelson Vasquez, Michael Irby, Michael Wright, Rita Moreno, Jaime Sanchez Director Leon Ichaso Screenwriter Leon Ichaso Distributor Miramax Trailer Click Here for Trailer Rating R Running Time 103 minutes Screen Count 14 Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture

Comparison films for Piñero
Title	Date	Opening	Adjusted Opening	Screens	PSA	Adj PSA	Total BO	Adjusted Total	Mult
Poetic Justice	7/23/93	11.73	17.08	1273	9214.00	12908.5	27.45	39.98	2.34
Selena	3/21/97	11.62	15.26	1850	6281.00	7936.8	35.36	46.45	3.04
Good Will Hunting	1/9/98	10.26	13.19	1787	5741.00	7099.7	138.41	177.95	12.64
Doors, The	3/1/91	9.15	13.10	840	10893.00	15007.0	34.17	48.94	3.73
Hurricane, The	1/14/00	9.01	10.07	1465	6150.00	6617.8	50.67	56.68	4.43