Calle 54

"Calle 54", named after New York's 54th street where most of the studio filming was done, is a gift from director Fernando Trueba ("Belle Epoque") to lovers of Latin Jazz everywhere. The film features 90 minutes of music by some of the idiom's finest artists with bonus material including a director's voice over offering brief commentary and bio's on the featured artists and interviews which trace the origins of Latin jazz in general and Afro-Cuban jazz specifically. Artistry includes la musica picante of Tito Puente in his final weeks to the haunting sax of Gato Barbieri. However, such notables a Arturo Sandoval, Poncho Sanchez, etc. more were not included leaving plenty of room and yearning for another installment. A must see/hear for Latin jazz lovers. (B+)

It was just by chance that my husband and I happened to see this movie and we were so glad we did. We are Puerto Ricans living in Texas, and we've enjoyed listening to Latin jazz and Afro Cuban music since we were younger, but we hadn't heard of this movie before. Watching this movie was like -or even better than- being at a live concert because we saw it in a big screen at a local theater (a more intimate environment), and you could tell everyone in the small audience felt the same way we did about the music. We were all so enthralled by the experience that we even applauded after every genially performed selection.

The music was superb, and the musicians... out of this world. What technique!!! The way the musicians felt while performing was vibrant and contagious, it kept you on the edge of your seat, keeping the beat, and you only realized that it was a movie when the camera was able to capture gestures and nuances seldom perceived in a concert. It was an unforgettable experience to see musicians that are not alive anymore perform their craft in a way that will remain a lifelong memory. Fernando Trueba was a visionary when he decided to pay homage to these musicians and we'll try to follow in his footsteps. We plan to purchase the DVD and CD so we can enjoy this wonderful music again and again.

I loved it. There are some amazing musical sequences and achievement in this film. It's probably not of much interest to people who aren't into music, but if you enjoy a bit of Jazz then feast your ears on this. The filmwork leaves a little to be desired but you don't really notice because the music is so good.

If you are a music lover, any kind of music, this is a must see.

The introductions are brief and tasteful but the main strength of the film is that the performances are complete and very skillfully filmed, always in concordance with the rhythm and flow of each composition. Each performer gets to play in the same set in 54th street in Manhattan (hence the name) but with different colors reflecting the personality of the group or individual.

The common thread between all acts is that the music and performance is front and center, any context or description given are just a plus and the viewer is left alone to enjoy the virtuosos at work.

It's inevitable to pick favorites among all acts, for me Michel Camilo's dexterity, timing and taste are top.

I can't understand why Miramax isn't promoting this movie to the hilt. It's a wonderful concert film posing as a documentary about the history of latin jazz in the US. The director Fernando Trueba has an obvious jones for latin jazz and has chosen to focus on some of the genre's most influential performers and founders, keeping the narrative to a minimum and letting the music speak for itself. And that's where the movie really shines: over and over each artist gives a wonderful performance with lighting and simple set design to make them look their best. The film will probably draw inevitable comparisons to "Buena Vista Social Club", another film presenting latin artists making history through their music. However BVSC focused as much on Ry Cooder's involvement and the musicians' lives in Cuba as the music played. Here Trueba keeps the education brief, and when the performers play, you know why latin jazz changed his life. A terrific date film for anyone who loves music and the chance to see such giants as Tito Puente, Gato Barbieri, Paquito D'Rivera and historic moments shared by Bebo Valdes and his son Chucho as well as his lifelong friend Cachao.