By Andrew Buckner

Since movies about the lives of fellow poets are such a rarity nowadays, it is my honor to recommend two terrific, recently released films that fall into that category. These are the bold, beautiful and purely cinematic biography Neruda (2016) and the hilariously droll, exceptionally acted, cleverly penned and quietly emotive, Paterson (2016). The last twenty minutes of this later stated production are especially impactful. Though their tones and greatest qualities are almost wholly dissimilar, I’d rate both ****1/2 out of *****.

Neruda stars Gael Garcia Barnal and Luis Gnecco. It was directed by Pablo Larrain (who was the behind the lens chairman for another feature from 2016: the Natalie Portman led mixed bag Jackie.) The screenplay was by Guillermo Calderon.

Runtime: 107 minutes and fifty-six seconds.

(R). Contains nudity and some violence.

Paterson stars Adam Driver and Golshifteh Farahani. It was written and directed by Jim Jarmusch.

(R). Contains some adult language and themes.

Runtime: 118 minutes and 14 seconds.

Both photoplays are available on video on demand and on Blu-ray and DVD.