Dios o demonio

I thought it was pretty good. It was really interesting and it gave you two sides to the story about those wanting to come to America fleeing from Cuba and how they think about the country they left behind and a possibility of what Fidel might have gone though had he come on a boat. It's interesting to watch. I say get it and watch it for yourself. I liked it personally. But again I like docudramas too. It had some light humor as well and drama and serious parts. Overall good flick. The ending didn't make me mad like some movies do. The ending is pretty believable if what happened in the film really happened laughing out loud!

I was so excited when I came across this DVD at the video store because the plot sounded so good - Fidel Castro finding himself a refugee in Miami. Well, that is about where the entertainment stopped. The movie is bad...really, really bad. The acting is awful - with Alicia Machado being the worst. Ex-Menudo Johnny Lozada is somewhat believable as a gay man but the character is pointless. Even Jaime Camil, who is usually pretty good, was awful in this movie. The only likable character and actor is the little kid, even if he looks a little too much like Elian Gonzales. The Spanish dialog throughout the movie is bad because they do not even sound Cuban with Machado overdoing the accent and Camil not even attempting it. When they speak English it is even worst because the accents are just the awful stereo-typical portrait of a Hispanic immigrant . To make matters worst, there is really no story there. The movie is billed as a dark comedy but to be any type of comedy it would first have to be funny. Don't waste your time with this movie.

I almost didn't watch "I Love Miami" based on the severe reaming it's gotten from IMDb reviewers. But actually the negative reviews made me even more interested to find out for myself. So I popped this in the DVD player with a bucket full of popcorn ready to be thrown at the screen.

I'm happy to report that no popcorn was hurled. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. I still can't understand why everyone else hates this movie (unless it offends people politically?), but I found this to be a very sly, stylish & well-produced film. It has some great deadpan comedy as well as some interesting political themes and a poignant commentary on human nature.

Other reviewers have complained about the lack of authentic Cuban accents, mannerisms and dialects. I wouldn't know about any of that. And honestly, improper accents don't bother me as long as the acting is good (example: John Malkovich playing the King of France in "The Messenger"). I thought the acting here was fantastic, from the lead roles down to the supporting cast. Two standounts are the cute little kid and the spazzy gay waiter who made me laugh every time he came on the screen. I don't know the female actors' names, but they were all excellent, each bringing a distinct personality to the production. The star of the show, Juan Luis Galiardo (who plays Fidel Castro), is a classic deadpan curmudgeon. Something about him reminds me of the great George C. Scott in "Dr. Strangelove".

Other elements of the Castro character make me think of Christopher Walken ("Suicide Kings"), the way he can play a cruel, cold-hearted monster, but he still makes us laugh, and we still love him.

Castro, for all his scowling and growling, is indeed presented as a protagonist with a human side, and maybe that's why so many people hate this movie. I suppose, to many Cubans, it's the equivalent of showing the human side of Adolph Hitler. All I can say is that this is a dark comedy with elements of irony & satire, and the filmmakers are BY NO MEANS glorifying Castro.

Enough politics, let's talk about the movie. The plot is pretty funny right off the bat: Fidel Castro, the dictator responsible for sending countless numbers of his countrymen fleeing to the USA, himself ends up on a raft bound for Miami. One thing leads to another, and he winds up as a busboy in a restaurant. This isn't what I'd call a madcap comedy, but it packs some good laughs, and I had a smile on my face for 75% of the movie.

The other 25% involves some heavy drama, some suspense and political intrigue, and a dash of romance & sentimentality which I thought was perfectly handled (not syrupy sweet). There's also some wonderful symbolism & allegory if you're paying attention. For example, there's a funny rivalry going on between the restaurant where Castro works and the restaurant across the street. This can be viewed as a political metaphor, and Castro's solution fits him perfectly.

But overall this isn't about politics but rather, it's about human qualities we all share, whether we're normal schmoes or grand dictators. The film gives us some great illustrations of pride, revenge, forgiveness, understanding and loyalty. And there's also a staggering Machiavellian theme that weaves its way throughout the story which I won't ruin for you. I'll just say that the film left me feeling absolutely satisfied, and the ending was both unexpected and totally believable.

If you've read this far in my review, DON'T HESITATE to see this movie. If nothing else, you can see for yourself if it's as bad as other reviewers say. But if you keep an open mind, I'm willing to bet you may be surprised & end up loving it as much as I did.