Guantanamera

Rating:
Summary: A refreshing Cuban road movie not lacking a sense of irony
Review: The last movie that Cuban director, Tomás Gutiérrez managed to put together alongside his partner, Juan Carlos Tabio, before his death, Guantanamera pretty much can be considered a road movie, but with a very peculiar twist. Irony, an exquisite sense of the most Cuban humor and an important dose of reality can be found in this production, that came only one year after their super-successful "Strawberry and Chocolate," with repeating stars, Mirta Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría, who proved how versatile of an actor he could be: playing a gay character on the first one and a straight macho man on this one. Check it out. You will find it delightful and refreshing. I just give it four stars because it does fall short compared to S&C, its predecessor.

Rating:
Summary: A refreshing Cuban road movie not lacking a sense of irony
Review: The last movie that Cuban director, Tomás Gutiérrez managed to put together alongside his partner, Juan Carlos Tabio, before his death, Guantanamera pretty much can be considered a road movie, but with a very peculiar twist. Irony, an exquisite sense of the most Cuban humor and an important dose of reality can be found in this production, that came only one year after their super-successful "Strawberry and Chocolate," with repeating stars, Mirta Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría, who proved how versatile of an actor he could be: playing a gay character on the first one and a straight macho man on this one. Check it out. You will find it delightful and refreshing. I just give it four stars because it does fall short compared to S&C, its predecessor.

Rating:
Summary: Very accurate black comedy about real life in Castro's Cuba
Review: The movie captures the sad reality of life in Cuba under the aging, obsolete communist dictatorship ( still quite brutal ) that is imposed by the Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. In spite of all these years, the adaptability of the Cuban people comes through in a very funny ( and sad at the same time ) way. The failure of the system, the love stories, the stoppage of time, leave you with a sense of sadness and futility with the preserverance of the human spirit as the only hope for the suffering island.

Rating:
Summary: An Accurate Reflection of Politics
Review: The movie reflects issues that should worry all of us in that both extremes politics, right versus left, can be dangerous. A country that is not self-sufficient and becomes the puppet of two world powers cannot develop its own ideology, economy and free will. Cubans should not have fled their country, but should have instead fought for change in order to remove Castro from power. This movie presents a good lesson for all of us in regard to politics. After all, this small nation once put America at great risk for war with Russia.

Rating:
Summary: Shoulda won an Oscar.
Review: This is an excellent movie, full of subtleties and innuendos as well as forthright commentary. As with everything Cuban, you can't escape the political: in fact, it is the political which provides the backdrop in this film. When the man in charge of a funeral home in Havana proposes a new system (with his own political goals in mind) for transporting the deceased to their final resting place, he sees his plan put to the test when his wife's aunt passes away--on the other side of the island. His efforts to accomplish her move back to Havana--and his funny and ultimate failure to do so--provide the social commentary on what happens to the brightest ideas when undertaken under a dogmatic system. It also provides the parallel for the movie's dramatic subplot: his wife's misgivings about her choices in life--marrying her current husband, leaving her teaching job, etc. As we see her marriage fail along the way (along with her husband's plan), and a new love enter her life, we begin to understand the message: sometimes it is individuality--and not the common good of the revolution--that affords the best solution. The script was wonderful, the acting superb, the editing on the mark. At turns funny, sad, academic, farcical, the movie should have gotten an academy award. But alas, it hails from Cuba, and what a pleasant surprise to see such a high quality--and self-critical-- product come out of there.

Rating:
Summary: A Cuba that cannot be
Review: This movie reflects a Cuba that cannot be under communism or capitalism. It shows us that a good first world society can only exist under an honest government with the proper societal system and infrastructure that includes a varied population and ideology. It should be seen by the world. Sadly, it is over priced.

Rating:
Summary: A "gringo" who loves this flick!
Review: This week I saw "American Beauty" at the movie theater and then, for the second time, the video of "Guantanamera". Very different flicks...one set in suburban America and the other in the countryside of Cuba. However, there is a common theme in both of how couples, stuck in loveless marriages, finally learn to change their fates. While "American Beauty" is the better movie, there is no doubt that "Guantanamera", undoubtedly shot on a very limited budget, is a gem of a film and well worth watching.

Respectfully disagree with one of the prior reviewer's comments that "gringos"..."cannot appreciate the movie". Well, any "gringo" over the age of 18 is going to understand the theme of "Guantanamera". Then, again, was the reviewer perhaps referring to "gringos" not understanding the depiction of officialdom in Cuba. Anyone who has dealt with a self important, controlling boss or govenment official, is going to understand the portrait of the real jerk of an official in this film. Without giving away the plot, the context of the movie is that a minor "apparachik" is dictating cross island burials by hearse relay...sounds somber but is really quite funny as the "master plan" falls apart. Add to this humor a great assortment of characters, beautiful love stories, and a wonderful Cuban music soundtrack, and you have quite a treat.

Rating:
Summary: Gave a Great Laugh to A Cuban Family
Review: When our family sat down to watch Guantanamera we all new the Cuban song from the beggining. Watching this was like going back to Cuba when we traveled across the land. Switching Cars people selling banannas, No road signs, just plain Cuba. The actors in the movie did a great job portraying Cubans. Because you may not believe that's the way real Cubans act, unless your Cuban, but it's what we are really like.

I rated this movie a Four Star because the movie has great laughs for "Cubanos y Gringos". All the irony with cars meeting, people dieing, well I don't want to ruine it for you. But Watch the Movie whether you buy or rent. You'll enjoy it!