JamesSinding
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.
adrian-designer
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!
elcubanomambi
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!
pwteatros
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...