Havana

This movie deserves a higher rating. Admittedly it starts out slow but picks up. It is a love story and I thought the acting was extremely well done. You can really feel Redford's happiness, pain and eventual heartbreak as the movie continues and the ending is one of the best!

I watched this movie in 93 because i was working in the casino and of course Robert Redford, one of my favorite actor. i was expecting not very big performance but i noticed that movie was excellent as it run. Actually it's best the movie ever made which describes what a real love is, although the final is drastic. On the other hand it's a good political review of the 50s between Comies & Independent followers. So it is a good movie if you spend your time with your lover after a romantic dinner and then sit and watch that spectacular movie with 2 glasses of wine. Some little action & non-boring movie even if it's 108 minute long.

I must admit when I saw Havana it came across as a bit boring, but it was good to see Robert "Sneakers" Redford. But upon reflection, Havana is a lush, beautiful movie that really captures the atmosphere and scenery of Cuba pre-Castro (who died over the weekend coincidentally). Anyway, Havana was filmed in the Dominican Republic, and kudos to the production team for faithfully recreating Havana pre-Castro. Maybe Havana will be looked upon more favorably following the passage of time, and who knows, it can be a Netflix series if some imagination and drive can be brought to the table.

I love it for its ...flavor. For Lena Olin and Robert Redford. For the clash between romance and politic. For the old image of people in the womb of bad times. And for a Cuba who was so easy lost. And that is all.

It's 15 years later, but seeing this film for the first time, I was surprised by its intensity, beauty, realism and acting. This is two thumbs up from my corner. I totally believed both Olin and Redford. Yes, they're both very good looking people, but more than that, they both convey intelligence and real emotion. Their performances were relatively restrained and in my opinion that's a good thing. As a person interested in politics and history, I found the film interesting and balanced especially considering that this was a studio product. This film made me want to learn more about Batista, Castro and Cuba's move for independence.

Havana is a favorite of mine. Sure it's a slick Hollywood movie but I thought Redford and Olin were marvelous together and fit their roles perfectly. Doesn't it seem natural to find Redford in exotic Havana playing cards on the eve of the revolution? And doesn't Olin's intelligence , charm, and beauty fit her role ? The supporting cast were flawless and the intriguing plot stood on it's own merit. The sentimental ending was superb and the musical score which received an academy award nomination was brilliant. Better than mediocre.

I just saw this one again on DVD and was surprised at how good it was. The acting, story and environment made it very easy to follow what was going on. I fail to see big holes in the plot: the characters are very well developed. What is created is a very sweet romantic thriller in a historical setting - the viewer knows that the revolution will take place so that part is anti-climatic. The film didn't attempt to make the revolutionaries into the good guys - Batista's forces did come across as corrupt and arrogant though. One mistake: Redford's character convinces the security chief he works for the CIA which is implausible since he's supposedly on assignment in Cuba and doesn't speak Spanish.

Redford movies traditionally have strong female characters; Inside Daisy Clover; This Property Condemned; Out of Africa; Up Close and Personal; The Horse Whisperer....and this one. Lena Olin and Redford make me believe these two could fall in love this quickly. I think it got bad reviews because the ending was not male protagonist friendly. Avoiding a spoiler, I love the message here. She is some woman. Loved by two. Loves two. What else could she possibly do? What else could he possibly do? This man, Jack, will be seated facing the door forever. What a love story. Their scenes together are gritty and fleshy and real. Raul Julia's passion echoes the backdrop. Turmoil...in Cuba, and in the hearts of these lovers. I LOVED IT!!!!