Chrysanthepop
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 Cinematography is flat and the background score give it an out-of-date feel.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.
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.
xm-10
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.
amocine
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.
AD
