Noriega: God's Favorite

Noriega: God's Favorite
Screenplay by	Lawrence Wright
Directed by	Roger Spottiswoode
Starring	Bob Hoskins
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Producers	Nancy Hardin, Lope V. Juban Jr., J. Boyce Harman Jr., Arnon Milchan, Roger Spottiswoode, Tom Todoroff, Nick Wechsler, Lawrence Wright
Cinematography	Pierre Mignot
Editor	Mark Conte
Running time	120 minutes
Production companies	Industry Entertainment Regency Enterprises Showtime Networks
Original release
Release	March 4, 2000 (2000-03-04)

Noriega: God's Favorite is a 2000 biographical made-for-television film starring Bob Hoskins as Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.

Synopsis

The film depicts the rise of general Manuel Antonio Noriega from utter poverty to military dictator of Panama. It chronicles his involvement with drug cartels as well as the U.S. government during the Iran–Contra affair.

Cast

• Bob Hoskins as Manuel Noriega
• Jeffrey DeMunn as Nuncio
• Rosa Blasi as Vicky Amador
• Luis Avalos as President Nicky Barletta
• Denise Blasor as Felicidad Noriega
• Nestor Carbonell as Major Moisés Giroldi
• Tony Plana as Colonel Diaz-Herrera
• Sabi Dior as Irwin
• John Verea as Father Jorge
• Richard Masur as Mark
• David Marshall Grant as Drug dealer
• Michael Sorich as Fidel Castro
• Jorge Luis Abreu as Witch doctor
• Edward Edwards as Oliver North
• Susan Africa as Adela Giroldi
• Ina Alegre as Prostitute
• Ivan Allen as Newscaster
• Ed Aquino as Giroldi's Man
• Ed Bouffard as Newscaster
• Janice Brillotes as Yacht woman
• Jennifer Cain as Swiss receptionist
• Ivo Cutzarida as Hugo Spadafora
• Subas Herrero as Gabriel Arias
• Tonyo Meléndez as Pepe Velasquez
• Frank Roman as Cesar Rodriguez
• Bart Suretsky as Kiki Pretelet
• Veronica Veron as Chaquita

Reception

Reviews were generally positive. Anita Gates of The New York Times wrote, "If I had seen Bob Hoskins play Manuel Antonio Noriega earlier, I would have paid a lot more attention to the American invasion of Panama." ^[1] Howard Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Times wrote that Bob Hoskins "captures best the contradictions of a man at once endearing and despicable." ^[2] One reviewer wrote that "the hair-raising career of deposed Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega surpassed even the surreal creations of many Latin American novelists, thus making him a natural movie subject". ^[3] Hoskins was nominated for a Satellite Award for his role in the film. ^[4]

References

1. "Noriega, You Buddhist, Vegetarian General You". The New York Times. 31 March 2000. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
2. Rosenberg, Howard (1 April 2000). "The Clown, the Crook and 'Noriega'". Archived from the original on 8 December 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2017– via LA Times.
3. "Review: 'Noriega: God's Favorite – 'Noriega' Captured'". Variety.com . March 12, 2000. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
4. "'Gladiator,' 'Traffic' lead Golden Sat noms". Variety. December 18, 2000. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.

External links

• Noriega: God's Favorite at IMDb