User reviews

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...

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.

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 a story about the underground rock scene in Cuba. It starts when 2 longtime friends-rockers are met with the opportunity to meet an agent/scout who offers a chance to certain musicians to leave the island and work in Spain.

But its much more than that, it portrays the internal struggle normal people endure in a impoverished country.

The subdued energies of yearning reach the lower and higher limits of reality. Were upon some cruxes are to be met with crucial decisions were there is no turning back.

In you are an artist of any medium, a admirer of drama (as in the genre), and specially if you have a band, Don't loose the opportunity to catch this film, it is a special feature experience.

Benito Zambrano's 'Habana Blues' has got all the clichés to make it marketable internationally. The story is very deja-vu and unfortunately, there isn't much to offer. Nothing new in any case. The themes of friendship, partying etc have been done to death. In the first half, the pace just drags on. For a movie that's about music, one would expect at least a few great tracks and here while the instrumental tracks work to an extent, the songs fail because either the lyrics are syrupy or they're too preachy. The execution is quite poor. Cinematography is flat and the background score give it an out-of-date feel. The only sequences that got my attention were the ones with Caridad. This is perhaps majorly due to Yailene Sierra's terrific performance. In addition, I also liked the scenes with Tito's grandmother. Roberto Sanmartin is passable while Alberto Yoel's wooden acting is one of the major factors that contribute to 'Habana Blues's list of flaws. As a whole, 'Habana Blues' just did not work for me.

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!

Habana Blues is a film that starts off in Cuba with Ruy and Tito, two friends who also happen to be musicians together. Their music is a mix of Cuban music and more modern musical sounds like rap. They eventually get a chance at a big break with a Spanish record company, but the company wants them to change their lyrics in order to appeal to an international audience. While Ruy thinks doing so wouldn't be true to their country, Tito thinks they should so that they can be more successful. This is a good representation of how artists, not just musicians, struggle with the idea of money over heart. Do they want to produce something that means a lot to who they are and where they came from, or do they want to produce something that will be commercially successful? The film also explores other themes, like poverty in Cuba. We also see immigration issues as Ruy's children are being taken to the United States with their mother.

The movie was very well made, as well as having a strong message. The characters were well developed and the plot had cultural significance. Some viewers may not feel much of an emotional impact from this movie as compared to others, but those who know the arduous process of creating art will understand many of the personal struggles these characters deal with. If you are a fan of movies about music, art or just foreign culture in general, this is a must see.

Cool outfits and hairstyles. That's what impressed me the most in this movie. That's not much. And I have tried, really. But there was something missing, things just didn't add up. I did't believe the characters, their motives were not made clear enough, especially the main character, the lead singer. He didn't make much sense, I just couldn't buy it. And, at times, the movie reminded me of a "telenovela". Too much gesturing, too much melodrama, too much "colorful" arguing, followed by hugs and tears. And, frankly, whatever point there was (if there was one) was kinda lost among the chaotic blend of patriotic speeches, family melodrama, cheerful jam sessions and, of course, the traditional video footage of Havana by day and night. Watch out for the actor that played Tito (the sax player), very good acting, not to mention cool and groovy look :-). And the actress that played his grandma rocked more than some of the guys in the band. Ha.

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...

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.

I saw this film as part of the 'Viva! Spanish and Latin American film festival', and can only grade it as superb. In fact, it is certainly one of the greatest films I have ever seen; for the music as well as the acting. The story focuses on two young, Cuban musicians, Ruy and Tito, and their struggle for success. When a famous Spanish music producer arrives in Cuba, searching for young talent, it seems like the two friends will finally have a chance to make their dreams come true. However, they soon learn of the terrible price they will have to pay for this chance, and are faced with a decision that will test their friendship to its limits. 'Habana Blues', though, is more than just a story of friendship. It is also a film that explores the importance of family and the loyalty of many Cubans to their birthplace. Set against a fantastic backdrop of Cuban music, it is a heart-wrenching film of loss, love and the price of choices. It moved me beyond tears. Simply exquisite.

Sensible and real.

I recommend this movie to all lovers of music and life... A full experience of color in spite of being located in a sad context. The feelings and dramas have exit by means of the expression of music.

Great history, great actors and great director. Benito makes few films and that is perceived in the final result. He demonstrates his talent once again.

Don't miss it!

Better if shorter Cuban films are always poignant, well written and well acted. This film is all that. If it had been shorter, it would have been a much better film; it could have told the story in a more powerful fashion. Now, I have seen I don't know how many Cuban films dealing\with the same issue. The difference in here is the music: another important character of the story. But at times, the music was more important than the story. The best thing of the film is the lady who plays the wife planning to go to Miami. Her raw performance is riveting. When she speaks to her mom, her voice just crackles and tells a hundred stories in that one moment. Again, wonderful film, but I found myself wanting for it to faster...

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.

a good one, worth to see a couple of times .. the characters all well defined and performed, the music is new but still reflects its old Cuban influence, the script full of messages ( live up to your decisions, friendship may hurt, Cuba is not exactly good or bad, etc), photography is great ... Does anybody knows who sponsored this movie ? I'm not sure how to read (and filter) the political messages here ... was it filmed with the approval of local government authorities ? more likely not as they show a family successfully escaping the island but still one of the messages is that Cubans are not seduced by capitalism ways and are willing to do whatever it takes to escape from the island

I recently watched this film at the theatre and I really enjoyed it. The story is about a band trying to make it big, and overcoming obstacles to follow their dreams. The reason why I liked this movie so much was because of the music. The soundtrack is amazing, with a nice diversity of musical styles, and many upbeat songs that made the movie really fun to watch. Throughout the film you see what inspires the songwriting, the lifestyle of the musicians and the moral dilemmas in entering an industry that turns an art form into business, and watching these situations made the the song lyrics more meaningful to me. When I went to watch the movie I was interested in getting a glimpse of the music culture in Cuba, and for that, Habana Blues exceeded my expectations. Go watch it, you'll have a good time.

This is a very moving film that tells the story of Ruy (Alberto Yoel) and Tito (Roberto Sanmartín), a couple of young Cuban musicians who have the dream of becoming famous. I have found it as a charming film that not only shows the Habana and a flavor of the Cuban music and life (I have had the opportunity of going to Cuba, and yes, Cubans are people who live the music). This film not only shows the lives and desires of Ruy and Tito, but also their thoughts and fights and puts us in a delicate verge of understanding and sympathy for each of the characters, reaching an end at a very Cuban style. I certainly enjoyed this film for its not-common plot line, and its views of Cuba and Cuban life. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I don't'know... maybe it's because I'm Brazilian but all that stuff was too much. Too much love for the music, too much parties, too much contrast between the nice lives of the main characters (come on, it's not so sad) and the aspect of the city shown by the director. Everything looks too fake to me: the families, the relationships, the music, the "happiness". It simply sells a little taste of fake latinamerican culture. I must be honest: it did seduce me a little, but who would not be seduced by that fake lives made of nice music, sex and parties? I'm not that stupid: what kind of world is this one in which people do not suffer of diarrhea, profound sadness and STDs? I liked the scene with Caridad's mother phone call and the discussion about the contract with all the musicians and the Spanish people.