Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Myers
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Heartwarming friendship story has some language, drinking.
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The Cuban
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What's the Story?
THE CUBAN is about Mina (Ana Golja) a 19-year-old pre-med student from Afghanistan, who, while working at a nursing home, meets and befriends Luis Garcia (Louis Gossett Jr.), who suffers from dementia. Mina learns that Luis used to be a famous Cuban jazz musician in the 1960s and starts bringing in old records that her grandfather (a music professor and jazz lover) gave her. Luis responds to the music and begins telling Mina a little about his past as a musician. Mina lives with her Bano (Aunt) Ayoub (Shohreh Aghdashloo), who gave up her career as a doctor when she left Afghanistan and now works at the nursing home as an administrator. Mina meets a graduate student named Kris (Giacomo Gianniotti), and they start dating. With Kris' help, Mina learns more about Luis' past and his time in Cuba. Though Mina and Luis are from different cultures and different generations, their love of music connects them, offering the message that music spans all ages and cultures and can be both therapeutic and comforting.
Is It Any Good?
This is a sweet, enjoyable drama that scratches the surface of how the elderly are sometimes viewed and treated when suffering from dementia and other ailments. The Cuban also lightly touches on immigration and cultural traditions but doesn't provide much depth on those subjects. For example, Mina's cousin has an arranged marriage, but that storyline is never developed or given any priority. And the relationship between Mina and Bano Ayoub is a little predictable. It's also casually mentioned that Ayoub may have been in a relationship with another woman back in Afghanistan, but that issue is only addressed twice and provides just a glimmer of insight about why she doesn't attend a mosque. We also learn that Luis has a son who doesn't like him much because Luis was dependent on alcohol and abandoned his family, but Luis' relationship with his family isn't discussed beyond that.
What the film does do well is explore how, sometimes, the elderly get overlooked and ignored -- and how showing them compassion, empathy, and kindness can make a huge impact. The movie also does an excellent job of incorporating music throughout, showing that music really can bring people from all walks of life together. Bottom line? The Cuban will make you want to get up and start dancing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Cuban deas with dementia and the overall treatment of the elderly. How does memory loss affect not just the person with dementia, but also their loved ones and friends?
How does music affect the characters' moods? How does music affect your own mood?
How do the characters react to their parents/caregivers in the film, and how does that affect their relationships?
Why do you think Mina thought it was important to break the rules concerning Luis' meals? When might it be OK to not follow the rules?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: October 6, 2020
- Cast: Ana Golja , Louis Gossett Jr. , Shohreh Aghdashloo
- Director: Sergio Navarretta
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Black actors, Middle Eastern/North African actors
- Studio: Brainstorm Media
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Friendship , Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Empathy
- Run time: 109 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: April 2, 2023
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