Cuarteto de La Habana (1999)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Fernando Colomo

Writers:

Julio Carrillo (writer)
Fernando Colomo (writer)

Release Date:

9 July 1999 (Spain)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

¿Por qué todo el mundo quiere ir a Cuba?.

Plot:

Walter, an aspiring musician from Madrid, has a lot of troubles. After finding a videotape, he learns something which will alter his whole life...

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Ernesto Alterio	...	Walter
Mirta Ibarra	...	Lita
Javier Cámara	...	Segis
Laura Ramos	...	Diana
Daisy Granados	...	Nereida
María Esteve	...	Vicky
Mónica Cano	...	Paloma
David Calzado	...	Lazaro
Javier Gurruchaga	...	Cura
Pilar Castro	...	Camarera
José María Sacristán	...	Encargado
Ana María Ventura	...	Portera
Lola Lemos	...	Abuela
Javier Sandoval	...	Cura Madrid
Aurora Basnuevo	...	Mujer

Also Known As:

Havana Quartet (Canada: English title)

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color

Certification:

Spain:13

Filming Locations:

La Habana, Cuba

Company:

El Paso Producciones Cinematográficas S.L.

Soundtrack:

Tan lejos de aquí

cute movie

This is a lightweight romantic comedy but it has its moments. It deals with cultural differences between Cubans and Spaniards and shows clearly "why does everyone want to go to Cuba?" (as the tagline says). Segis and Walter arrive in Havana with all the jaded superiority of Europeans who think they're better off than the Cubans, but it quickly becomes apparent that the Cuban women they're interested in are a whole lot smarter than they are. The love story is pretty unconventional by Hollywood standards but that makes it more interesting. Underneath there are some bittersweet moments as Walter realizes that growing up in Spain doesn't mean he's Spanish. He was born in Cuba and there are still lots of things the tie him emotionally to the island and the people. It's a little disconcerting to see how Lita (Mirta Ibarra) and her neighbor (Daisy Granados) covet new appliances and a refrigerator full of food - it reminds us that not all Cubans are as well off as these characters, and dependence on foreign currency does have a down side. But all of that is glossed over, so you don't have to think a lot about it if you don't want to. It's not a realistic look at life in Cuba, but it's still an interesting glimpse into cultural differences and how Cubans are managing to survive in times of economic crisis.