Puerto Rican Role

In his May 14 review of “A Show of Force,” Michael Wilmington questioned the historical accuracy of the film (“I haven’t read Nelson’s book, but I have my doubts . . .”). I have read Anne Nelson’s book, as well as Manuel Suarez’s definitive account of the cover-up investigation, and would like to certify that Wilmington was right on every count and then some.

The Cerro Maravilla expose, as any Puerto Rican will tell you, was not the work of an individual journalist but of several; most prominently Suarez, Tomas Stella and Carmen Jovet.

As a friend of Mr. Suarez and Ms. Jovet, I can attest to the outrageously irresponsible liberties taken by producer John Strong and director Bruno Barreto.

It could be argued that the fictional Kate Melendez stands for Jovet, but the filmmakers have made an unforgivable mistake: turning her into an American.

Once again we Hispanics are forced to sit and watch while a gringo cleans up the mess we’ve made. Once again we are treated to scenes where the defenseless American girl is tortured by slimy and sexually threatening banditos.

The Cerro Maravilla murders were the offspring of a pro-statehood government, shamelessly covered up by Washington and eventually exposed only by Puerto Ricans themselves. To claim that an American single-handedly solved the whole thing can only deceive those not familiar with the story and insult those who are.

By limiting camera shots to slums and staging a Constitution Day parade worthy of a high school halftime show, the film manages to make Puerto Rico look like the banana republic that exists only in Hollywood’s imagination. Barreto has turned an exciting tale of political intrigue into a sexist, racist and, worst of all, boring movie.

RICARDO MENDEZ MATTA

Los Angeles