Habana Blues

I must say I wasn't really interested in this movie at first, and more or less was dragged to the theater to watch it. Which I am definitely grateful for, since it's one of the best movies I've seen this year by far.

The bittersweet story, the uncommon picture of the less known 'real Habana' and the strong friendship between the main characters really got to me.

The only annoying thing was the music during the first half of the movie. But the songs played during the second half (the ones the main characters play) are really pretty too.

I really liked how the plot wasn't over-dramatic, how everyone, both good and bad ones, is flawed and there's nobody perfect in the story (especially the main character). And how they make the message of the movie (choose your own path and live up to your decisions) reach the audience.

The only thing that ruined the movie for me was Marta's character (the Spanish woman). Or rather, the actress playing her role. She's bad to boot.

Just saw the movie, together with some 140 students (14 - 17 years old, Dutch but mixed backgrounds) Was an absolutely gorgeous experience. Not used to non-Hollywood productions, they were both chocked and charmed by the non-happy ending, and they did really like both the story and the music, as well as the film's central ideas of love and friendship. I'd recommend it to every teacher that wants to do something with either music or history or politics or drama or a combination of any of these subjects to use the film for educational purposes, esp. with not all-too self-confidential / intellectually orientated groups of students. At least in the Dutch version, there was perhaps a bit too much sex (at least what the Muslim viewers were concerned) but that need not bother too much...

Two great musics survive in La Habana, poor but happy. One day, two Spanish producers decide that they are good enough to have success in Spain, but leaving Cube would mean abandon lots of things, friends, lovers, culture, integrity... Great music and great musicians, is by far the best of the film, with a Goya very deserved in BSO.All the movie is quick and interesting and actors are not bad, so its pleasant to see. It reflects quite well how is the live in La Habana, and all the doubts and decision that people must do if they want to become something in life... For some people, the fact that half of the film is made of music could result bad, but well it does not bores and is interesting. Not bad!!

This film starts off poor underground music players that you think are never going to make it, and you think that is the only story to the film; but when you get further into the film you see a large part of the Cuban culture. There are people that do not want to sell out and going to a country where it is easier to get popular, there are people that want to get popular at any cost, and there are people that must leave in order to better their family. This film is great at portraying this, because it is not over dramatized.

The theme of music is a little overwhelming in the film because music is constantly being played to the point where it should be classified as a musical; but the music is very culturally sound with Cuban sounds, this keeps the viewer interested in watching the film. The music plays along with the plot, and gets poppy when the movie is exciting, and slower romantic music when the film is trying to portray intimacy.

The actors are pretty good; the main actor goes through many changes through the film. From wanting to do drugs, sex, and rock & role, to towards the end, wishing that he were more of a family provider; he knows at the end that he must let go of something to keep another. These decisions at the end is what made the film for me, it makes it real, and not over dramatized; which makes the viewer relate more.

No, there is more to it than that! This recent film does compare similarities with John Landis's classic in the plot, but the competent acting and general mood of the piece sets it apart in its own league.

The contemporary mood of troubles people coping in a troubled Havana is well caught by its director Benito Zambrano. I very much admire the originality of this piece, and also its attempts to make the film accessible to many audiences by using several traits which one may call 'stereotypical'.

Albeit the plot of two down on their luck desperate musicians is a familiar one but the genre of music struggles to make original in its own right.

One of the main problems is, its a situation many audiences have met before and there is not much Zambrano and his cast can do to avoid this. Personally, some of the music performed initially is quite weak but maybe this is to show Tito and Ruy's development in their music. I am not sure...

Some of the songs have real flavour- as personally I find a lot of Latin American produced Music does. Some try to heighten the films' messages- others seem just to be there to fill the running time.

The ensemble performances are very good, almost every character makes an impression- in particular Yaridad Sierra who plays Ruy's wife, Caridad is very very convincing.

I also really liked the straight talking grandmother- she was excellent! It's characters like that light up the movie, when things started to become very serious overall, thats the movie works really well as an ensemble piece. The individual performances were of a similar standard, the two leads Alberto Yoel (Ruy) and Roberto Sanmartin (Tito) were well cast.

Overall, this is an enjoyable movie if you do not analyse the film too much (probably my biggest mistake), there is a lot of sentiment that some may find endearing and others repulsive. However the content of the piece is so well thought out and fairly well presented that I can't help but like in its own way...