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.
8 Reviews
silly comedy
dcldan11 July 2007
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.
The king of Viagra
jotix1006 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Some comments to this forum are from people that relate to the story being connected to Cuba, in some way, or another. Their comments don't take into consideration how badly the material used for the film plays on the screen.
The character of Don Arturo, the Spaniard that goes to Havana to get married to the young and luscious Yoli, rings false from the start. It is clear the heavy makeup used on this person shows the man is fake. We realize why right away as we are being put on. Later on, as Papito decides to impersonate the older man: one realizes they are the same person, which goes to ask viewers to stretch their imaginations in accepting this phony premise to begin with.
Director/writer Alexis Valdes take on the material makes this a one joke story stretched to the max without any surprises. Not only that, the acting is amateur, at best. This was a film made and financed in Spain, and as Spanish films go, "Un Rey en La Habana" is a poor excuse of a movie.
The character of Don Arturo, the Spaniard that goes to Havana to get married to the young and luscious Yoli, rings false from the start. It is clear the heavy makeup used on this person shows the man is fake. We realize why right away as we are being put on. Later on, as Papito decides to impersonate the older man: one realizes they are the same person, which goes to ask viewers to stretch their imaginations in accepting this phony premise to begin with.
Director/writer Alexis Valdes take on the material makes this a one joke story stretched to the max without any surprises. Not only that, the acting is amateur, at best. This was a film made and financed in Spain, and as Spanish films go, "Un Rey en La Habana" is a poor excuse of a movie.
Hilarious
denn12611 September 2006
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.
Dark humor
lulides12 February 2006
This movie took me by surprise. It has a quite obvious script but the twists and turns and the very funny characters make it a must-see dark comedy. For those who like the Spanish "everything-goes" type of comedy. These are actually Cuban actors most of them and it looks like it was filmed in Cuba as well. My husband is Cuban and it's funny how they show they lifestyle without getting compromise with politics. Very well handled and fun to watch. The characters couldn't have been chosen better. Yoli's mother is perfect... I've met so many women like her in Miami! We don't have many chances to get into the Cuban world and this is a sarcastic way to do it, even though is not that funny in real life, but they manage to have a good time after all.
Funny and Romantic Cuban Film
vanrigo14 February 2007
I Loved this movie, it was romantic and very funny. A unique film and a film close to my heart as I am Cuban American...don't know if it translates well into English, however, I can't imagine a Spanish-speaking person not enjoying this movie. It made me laugh over and over again and every time I watch it I find new hilarious comments I didn't catch the first time around. I have watched other films with Cuban themes and so far this is the one that has been the most enjoyable and light-hearted. It is just a movie that was made with one aim in mind, to make the audience laugh...The music is also very good and highlights key scenes...I highly recommend it, especially if you can relate...
Great latin humor!
glendamartinezb3 April 2018
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!
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!
Nothing new
mabejo_titi7 August 2006
I've seen the film and I think it is just one of those that rather you just forget right after seeing it or you just believe you haven't seen it, it no matters anyway. The film makes you laugh at times but only that and has nothing new that can provide you with any innovative feedback, but it was nice to see regarding that I come also from there, the film does not depict nothing new to the viewers it's been seen often themes like these and as far as I'm concerned there will be people to find it amusing rather than boring and anyway the situation that goes right now in cuba should not be so easily depicted and non believable for the eyes of the audience cause that's not a way to get away from cuba. but i would rate the film 5 out of 10
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