He’s never written anything great. ‘A Poet’ turns that into something funny

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Stephen Sondheim once said creating art is challenging. And when your artistic dreams feel impossible, life can be difficult too. Simón Mesa Soto’s film, “A Poet,” which was recognized at Cannes, powerfully depicts this struggle through the story of a writer whose intense pain has turned into the everyday disappointment of middle age. Even a little bit of hope, the film suggests, can open the door to even bigger problems.

This film is a surprisingly charming mess, reminiscent of Woody Allen’s more wistful work, but with a unique comedic voice all its own. Ubeimar Rios delivers a particularly memorable and hilarious performance as a hopelessly unlucky character.

Once a celebrated young poet, Oscar Rios now faces hard times. Divorced, unable to write, and with no money, he cares for his sick mother and is distant from his teenage daughter. He often feels sorry for himself, sometimes crying, and when he’s been drinking, he’ll passionately complain about the decline of literature in his country. Facing eviction, and urged by his family, Oscar reluctantly accepts a job teaching poetry at a high school, swallowing his pride to do so.

Oscar’s outlook shifts when he discovers the deeply personal and honest writing of Yurlady, a reserved but talented student. Yurlady lives with four generations of her family in a small apartment and writes purely for herself. Oscar believes he can help her by mentoring her and getting her accepted into a prestigious poetry program and competition, both run by his competitive rival, Efrain. He sees this as a chance to both redeem himself and give Yurlady, who comes from a difficult background, an opportunity to change her life through her natural talent. However, Yurlady isn’t necessarily interested in sharing her writing publicly.

As a film critic, I’ve seen a lot of great movies this year, but some of the most compelling came from Latino filmmakers. 2025 brought us everything from wildly imaginative, self-aware stories – think double identities and realities bending back on themselves – to a truly moving documentary about a lost musical talent, featuring intimate home videos we’d never seen before. These were definitely the standouts.

You know, sometimes a movie starts with really good ideas, but then gets bogged down by what the filmmakers think the audience wants. That’s what I felt watching “A Poet.” It veered into territory that reminded me of those old silent comedies where everything goes wrong, or even those really bleak, indie dramas. But it didn’t fully commit to either! It was almost like the director didn’t want to be pinned down to one style, maybe because the movie’s about something as huge and complicated as art itself. It’s an interesting choice, but it left me feeling a little…off-balance.

This fast-paced and energetic film, beautifully shot on 16mm by Juan Sarmiento, surprisingly manages to be touching even when it seems harsh towards Oscar’s well-intentioned but clumsy efforts. The director, Soto, subtly hints at this with the music – a mournful clarinet or playful song snippet is often cut short, preventing the audience from overthinking its meaning.

The film “A Poet” is remarkably moving because its flawed, empathetic nature is embodied in the complex character of Oscar. He’s a fascinating contradiction – appearing at times like a harshly drawn cartoon, but always with a hint of underlying vulnerability. The dynamic between his childish and adult sides creates a delightful tension and makes for a truly funny experience. This is one of the year’s best performances; even if the actor, Rios, never acted again, this role would stand as a masterpiece. The film ends with a poignant, almost painful, half-smile from Oscar – a raw and unforgettable image, like a quick sketch filled with emotion.

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2026-01-30 22:01