Most of all, it is about the transforming power of art, how Neruda's own works fire the artistic sensibilities...

This smart, whimsical, extremely quirky and devilishly entertaining portrait of the poet is far from being a traditional biography but it joyfully celebrates the spirit of the man and his momentous times.

There's a comic edge to [Gael Garcia Bernal's] performance that steals the movie. In his bumbling, hapless way, he's a more sympathetic character than Neruda himself.

Neruda’s shining star is Luis Gnecco, who brings the poet back to life. The energy that seduces the crowds gathered to hear his incarnation of the maestro recite verse extends to the film audience.