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Benjamin Bratt tells EW.com how he became Pinero | brattpinero
POET IN MOTION Bratt plays the charismatic poet and playwright Miguel Pinero

Was it a problem to play someone who is so different from you physically?
Unfortunately, the reality of this industry more often than not is to pigeonhole actors based on how they look. I've always considered myself a utility player. I'm a lousy leading man; I'm a much better character actor.

ICHASO: I had never seen him [in another role], do anything but be pleasant, and that to me is nauseating.

Pleasantness is the death of any character. It's invariably more interesting to play someone who has a level of mystery and perhaps a kind of danger that surrounds his essence.

How did Pinero's family react to your portrayal of him?
His sisters came to the set the day we were filming the eulogy. In it, there's a flashback of Pinero reciting poetry. When I finished shooting my scene, I noticed his sisters were in tears. As I got closer to them they seemed frightened and spooked. I could tell by their body language that they weren't sure what to do so I stepped forward and embraced them. Afterwards, they said that they thought they were watching their brother.

You said Pinero was one of the few roles that really stayed with you.
Mickey got into my subconscious because I was eating and drinking him every day. I woke one night from a dream about him holding me hostage, and I remember being afraid of him.

The O word has already been mentioned in relation to this role; how do you react to that?
Always with a deep sigh. You're talking about orgasm, right? Oh, you mean, the big O [Oscar]? That's pie in the sky for me. It's a boyhood dream of sorts.

Did ''Pinero'' inspire you to write your own poetry?
I've never seriously written poetry. Of course, like most foolish lovers I've taken a stab at it. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not so successfully.

Okay, since we're on the subject, is there any update about your own love life?
(Bratt hangs his head, refusing to say a word, until Ichaso finally answers for him.)
ICHASO: Well, I'll break the news. He's got a woman: his mother, Eldy.


Posted Dec 27, 2001 | Order Article Reprints
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