¡Hasta La Vista, Sister!

I saw it at the Edinburgh Film festival and love it. Two quarrelling sisters become reluctant travel partners when they set off from Scotland to Cuba. Their journey throws up more than a few surprises and laughs along the way. Their quest to discover more about their father's communist past leads to a voyage of self discovery. The humour is balanced with an intelligent portrayal of how each sister struggles, in different ways, with the cultural stereotypes and socio- political tensions that arise. The writer, Eirenie Houston, offers a balanced assessment of the complexities associated with tourism in Cuba, avoiding sentimentality or judgement. Set in the ambiance of Havana, with stunning cinematography and beautiful dance scenes, not least from the Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta, this film will have you heading down to the travel agents.

An enjoyable movie, entertaining and warm, about the changing relationship between two sisters, with some insightful behind-the-scenes story lines of life in Cuba. The dramatic scenery of old Havanna is beautiful, the music and dancing most enjoyable, and some excellent acting from Carlos Acosta, Charity Wakefield and Eva Birthistle. Christopher Simpson renders a thought provoking portrayal of a very interesting character. I'm sure we will be seeing a lot more of all these actors. Apparently its the first UK movie to be shot in Cuba in 55 years since "Our Man in Havanna". Don't miss this British movie, it's well worth seeing.

I just loved this film. I was intrigued to see Carlos Acosta in an acting role as I had recently seen him as a Royal Opera House Covent Garden principal dancer. I wasn't let down as he was such a natural with a wonderfully understated presence on screen. And when he did dance I wanted to see more. It was a joy to watch! What made the film even better was the script from beginning to end. I believed in the sisters. They were real to me. The setting in Glasgow so familiar in contrast to the action in Cuba. What poverty can reduce people to. A place made attractive by its music and sunshine. This is a gem of a film. I want to watch it again.

This was fun.

Thankfully, this wasn't the rom-com it was billed to be by the Edinburgh Festival's guide - the character's happy-go-lucky adventures mesh easily with a more complex portrayal of a Scottish family's relationship with Cuba.

Carlos Acosta particularly makes a strong debut. Perhaps fans of Cuban dance would be disappointed that there was not more actual dancing included in the narrative structure but then this story stays fixed on the central portrayal of the sisters and their conflicts.

Colourful cinematography and a quick pace made for a pleasing movie experience.

I didn't know what to expect: I suppose another pro-Cuban story with the achievements of Carlos Acosta propping up a sameness of this genre. How wrong could I have been? This was a great wee film that soon got me caught up in its pathos - straight into the plot with great and sensitive humour. The story was totally believable and the sisters - excellently played by the actors - were ably supported by Acosta, Simpson and the cast. No goody-goody Cubans sacrificing all for the revolution but a look a the dark side as well. As in every good movie, plot and sub plot rotate and change and co-relate.

This film, for me, had all of this and laughs all the way. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable film - from its left wing origins through to the realities of life in today's Cuba... warts and all. Well done to Houston, Roberts & co for a fine wee film.