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Better Late Then Never

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

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 found this film to be highly entertaining and interesting. The director weaves a complex and engaging plot and the cast does a phenomenal job. I really enjoyed the music, but that is up to personal taste. Overall, I would highly recommend this movie to anyone.Cuba is like no other place on earth, having been frozen in time to some degree. As the movie was filmed on location, this makes it very visual interesting and the way in which it was shot enhances this even further. There are a number of visually stunning scenes in this film that help to draw the viewer in, and also almost feel the emotion and culture of Cuba. Of course the music aided significantly in this as well.To me this film is really about opposing ideas, and is political without being overtly so. Perhaps to Cubans it would be much more evident, but it may be difficult to see for us living outside. The characters express criticism for the government in Cuba, but also harbor a strong nationalistic pride. They want to make pure art, but struggle with selling out in order to afford themselves better lives. Almost all of the characters want to get out of Cuba, but again struggle with the idea that they may never be let back in. In the end, I feel that the film is about choice. That you can't truly live unless you make decisions for yourself. As the tag line for the film states, "Vivir es Elegir." To live is to choose.

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.

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.