Neruda
Seen it?2016 | 108 min | Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- A natural pick for people who'll be looking things up afterwards and anyone who loves a strong drama. Based on real events, so expect to go down a research rabbit hole afterwards. More of a critics' pick than a crowd-pleaser: worth it if you like something a little different.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Character-first and patient, at 1 hr 48 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's in Spanish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
- Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.
It’s 1948 and the Cold War has arrived in Chile. In the Congress, prominent Communist Senator and popular poet Pablo Neruda accuses the government of betraying the Party and is stripped of his parliamentary immunity by President González Videla. The Chief of Investigative Police instructs inspector Óscar Peluchonneau to arrest the poet. Neruda tries to escape from the country with his wife, the painter Delia del Carril, but they are forced to go underground.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
Our audience score: 54%
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$2 million worldwide; interest faded quickly after launch
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 11K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Pablo Larraín
- Gael García BernalOscar Peluchoneau
- Luis GneccoPablo Neruda
- Mercedes MoránDelia del Carril
- Emilio Gutiérrez CabaPicasso
- Diego MuñozMartínez
- Alejandro GoicJorge Bellet
- Pablo DerquiVictor Pey
- Marcelo AlonsoPepe Rodríguez
- Michael SilvaÁlvaro Jara
- Francisco ReyesBianchi