Such a frustrating disappointment

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

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.

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...

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

Although "Solas" (Alone) was an incredibly wonderful movie, "Habana Blues" takes our breath away AGAIN.I saw this movie in Seville, last March 15th, in the Lope de Vega Theatre, because it was a Premiere. First of all, the movie looks interesting, but in the first 30 minutes, you are tired of listen songs (all them with the same rhythm) and watch people dancing.This is a good movie about relationships between friends, but, as the movie's tagline says, "Vivir es elegir" (To Live is To Choose), this is the lead topic of the movie.Two music men dream with to rec a CD and become famous. But the things aren't like they thought... they must have some conditions for to become famous, like to be stranger, haven't never done a gig...This movie is also dramatic but sometimes funny. The director washes the story with small pieces of humor (Luz Maria's character is simply there for to make funny the sad moments).The end... oh what a sad end. The family breaking all the rules in the middle of a river, and the friends saying goodbye. Never a movie wasn't as dramatic as boring.