Habana Blues

I've just seen this film at the Los Angeles Latino Film Festival and this is truly an Oscar worthy piece of art. The music was great, the story, sad to say, timeless. This film shows the hardships one goes thru in Cuba to make it big and leave the island. The sacrifices and tough choices one must make in order to live the life they feel is best for themselves.

This film has great dialog, and a great cast. After traveling to Cuba for the past four years, it shows the way Cubans live and struggle with certain topics such as honest, cheating, and what friendships are all about.

Not a dry eye in the house after the screening. Honestly, the best film I've seen all year. A must see!

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...

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.

This is not a movie for u to buy. This is how Cuban "fight" each others, how they deal with love and friendships with deceptions and hopes. Even when this, has been a bit censured and some of the "real" Cuba is still left out. Those that want to find out a bit more of how Cubans live, have to put together this movie and several others. I do recommend Suite Habana and Strawberry and Chocolote (from the more recent history of the Cuban filmography) and Los sobrevivientes and La muerte de un burocrata, older ones. This, as a film, is not as good as Suite Havana and Strawberry... this is a bit more traditional production and follows the scheme of modern Cuban comedies. I gave it an 8 because it does show part of the Cuban way of living (incomplete of course - check above). Music is terrific. Enjoy together with close friends, maybe beer (or even Cuban Rum if at hand). Keep children away though.

leaving the cinema , I was amazed at the real feelings i had about this film. Situated in ordinary Havana, the intense social coherence , existing in difficult economic circumstances were spelled out wonderfully. The music ,which is one of the main characteristics in this film was not corny, but hiphop,jazz,rock, and salsa at the same time. The characters were deeper and deeper, when the film continued, and i seldomly saw friendship so beautifully evoked as in the relationship between the two main men.all other important stories within the film were moving and warm, and realistic. The end is not not-happy; i'd call it positive and real. it's a for-all-people-around-the-world-award-winner film.