A King in Havana (2005)

People are voting emotionally.

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

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

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

If you're not latin or haven't lived in latin american, then I think is very hard to really enjoy and understand all the jokes in this movies. The characters are very well thought, the twists of the story very well made and how it all connects.Really really recommended!! If you see any bad reviews here, don't believe them!

Nominations: Goya Awards; Best Special Effects Malaga Spanish Film Festival; Golden Biznaga Award At last, Yoli's (Yoleima Valdes) family's money troubles appear to be over. Senor Arturo, a rich, old Spanish gentleman has come to Havana to marry the young girl. But then Senor Arturo has the nerve to suddenly die. With visions of their newfound wealth flying out the window, the family hatches a scheme to send Yoli's ex-boyfriend Papito to Spain, impersonating Arturo, grab the money, & high-tail it back to Cuba. There's just one minor detail they didn't figure on; Senor Arturo had mob connections. I read a lot of bad review/comments about this movie. yes it is not a great movie but it is really pretty funny. People in Spain seem to hate the Cubans!! hahah. This comedy criticizes & mocks the relationship between the Spanish & Cubans. The Spanish & many tourists take advantage of the misery in Cuba, marriages of convenience to leave the island & the Cuban. It is a criticism of the situation on the island & how well they treat illegal immigrants in the motherland. A hot topic, but properly treated at the level of comedy. The film is loaded with vulgarities & cussing. (or chavacaneria) which they did not put into the sub titles. Outrageously funny, subtitles do not do justice to the rapid fire exchanges, subtle nuances & "inside" barbs that sometimes even native Cubans need help in understanding. Not for the easily offended. Nothing is what it seems in this hilarious offbeat comedy. Being a comedic caper type movie the film does move from one ridiculous scene to another. Arturo has to pass through dangerous ridiculous situations (in obvious twists and turns) to save his life. The plot and characters make it a funny dark comedy. It has a quite obvious script but the twists & turns & the very funny characters make it a decent foreign film black comedy. There is lots of enjoyable Cuban music also. I enjoyed this film.

Papito is a poor actor that lives in Cuba with Yoli, his girlfriend. Due to the need of money, Yoli must marry Arturo, a rich man from Spain, but he suddenly dies at the honeymoon so Papito must disguise himself in Arturo and travel to Spain in order to go back with as much money as possible. Unluckily for him Arturo results to be part of a Spanish kitsch mafia, so he will have to pass through dangerous ridicule situations to save his life. Well the plot is silly, as the movie, but it is entertaining (which is the only aim of the film). Itis clear that anyone is a good actor, but they are decent eno0ugh to make their part correctly. Valdés is by far the best (well, he is the director and the main character) and he is able to make two good gags during all the movie, the rest of it just passes by with little smiles. Entertaining and nothing more.

Coming from a Cuban family and having lived in Miami for most of my life, this movie really takes me back to home and family gatherings. The way they speak is exactly the way most Cubans speak... Truly a funny film. It was not, however, shot in Cuba because, of course, that isn't possible (not a film like this, that often pokes fun at the gov't and politics- like Papito's communist father). It was actually shot in Spain (which probably explains why the film takes place primarily there and any shots in "Cuba" are rarely on location). Overall, a recommended film to watch for Cubans and non-Cubans alike- though I would refrain from watching it with my parents due to some explicit content that might make it a little uncomfortable.