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.
