For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story (2000)

Truly Dreadful Film

Touches You

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

This biopic about the great Cuban trumpet player Arturo Sandoval was probably made because of its star, Andy Garcia's interest in music from his homeland. Otherwise, this HBO film probably wouldn't have made it into a commercial vehicle. As directed by Joseph Sargent, the film is mildly pleasant to watch.Not having been an Andy Garcia fan, one must say, that he gives a convincing performance as Arturo, the man at the center of the action. His love for the gorgeous Marianela, played also with gusto by the gorgeous Mia Maestro, seems to have been what propelled him into seeking a new life in the United States.At times, the film doesn't make much political sense. Arturo Sandoval was able to tour the world under the Castro regime without taking the stand he makes at the end. Of course, everything is conveniently explained about how if he wouldn't have toed the line, he wouldn't have even played, let alone go abroad, for fear he would defect. The fear of not being able to be reunited with his wife and son is what keeps him from making a clean break, or so it seems. Of course, one realizes this is a fictionalized account of Mr. Sandoval's life made to please a wide audience.Mr. Sandoval's friendship with Dizzy Gillespie gets a lot of attention, yet, one wonders if that was the case. The incident where Mr. Sandoval takes Mr. Gillespie in his jalopy to meet the great Chano Pozo, is a figment of the film makers imagination. At the same time, no one seemed to know who Chano Pozo, perhaps one of the best Cuban musicians of all time, was! Also questionable is the fact that Mr. Sandoval's relationship with Paquito D'Rivera was what it's made to be in the film. Mr. D'Rivera shows a lot more courage by defecting at the first opportunity even though his own family would be penalized and stayed behind for many years, punished by the totalitarian regime in that unhappy island.As biopics go, this film is somewhat enjoyable, but it remains a work of fiction.

Arturo Sandoval is one of the greatest jazz trumpeters ever, standing alongside the likes of Miles Davis, Louis Armstronmg and Arturo's great friend Dizzie Gillespie. This biopic tells of his struggles with the repressive government of his native Cuba, the internal politics of his family and of course his need to play great music.Well acted, although there are no standard movie tricks and plot twists, just straight depiction of the people of Cuba of the time (early 80s) and the paranoia of the USA with anything Cuban.The really outstanding aspect of the movie is the souindtrack - Arturo himself plays many of the songs, and is credited with scoring and producing many of the tracks used, as well as playing on them.Watch the movie, buy the soundtrack CD.

This artistic drama unfolds a touching love story presented against a colorful visual backdrop set to vibrant music, featuring strong acting. Andy Garcia soulfully portrays the main character, Cuban jazz trumpet player Arturo Sandoval, and is executive producer as well. Garcia's (and Sandoval's) love for Cuba and passion for music (jazz) are evident throughout the story, which is predictible and told in flashbacks. The viewer senses the growing frustration of Sandoval at the conflict created by his need to freely express his love (music) which is increasingly blocked by the repressive political regime, without losing his wife and son. Sadly, he concludes that he must defect from Cuba. Mia Maestro beautifully and tenderly plays Mrs. Sandoval, whose emotional journey eventually leads her to realize she must follow her husband (and her heart) by agreeing to leave Cuba with him. Charles Dutton plays Dizzy Gillespie; Gloria Estefan also appears. The story is poignantly told, made more so because it is a biography (Sandoval was an advisor).

Andy Garcia is one of the most underrated actors of our generation. So it's a pleasure to report that in "For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story," Garcia gives an Emmy Award worthy performance. Sandoval was a Cuban trumpeter whose talents caught the eye of a touring Dizzy Gillespie, played by the talented Charles Dutton. Gillespie that helped Sandoval, and ultimately Sandoval's family, escape to the United States. The framework for the film is Sandoval pleading his case for asylum with U.S. embassy interviewer David Paymer. Garcia executive produced the film, and he obviously feels passionately about the plight of Sandoval and other musicians in Cuba who felt stifled by the Castro regime's attempts to dictate what kind of music they played. This view is understandable, since Garcia is Cuban-American. The problem is that Paymer continually asks why Sandoval feels he should be granted asylum, and Garcia can't come up with a good enough answer. Certainly Sandoval suffered financially in Cuba, as almost everyone else has. And certainly his musical freedom of expression suffered under Communism. But just as Garcia can't convince Paymer to grant his request for asylum (Gillespie eventually intercedes on his behalf) he fails to convince us.