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Viva

Country: Ireland | Cuba, Language: Spanish, 100 mins

  • Director: Paddy Breathnach
  • Writer: Mark O'Halloran
  • Producer: Cathleen Dore; Claire McCaughley

CGiii Comment

There's a little problem to contend with here...

A thuggish, hard-drinking father returns to the family nest after 18 years (or so) of imprisoned absence...walks into a bar and instantly recognises his son, who he hasn't seen for 18 or so years...in drag and then proceeds to punch him in the face.

That said son...knows not this man from Adam...and, duly, allows him to live in his apartment...where he dishes out his rules and regulations.

Something just doesn't ring true...

The writer - seriously - needed to review his script. The director should have asked for a re-write.

This may sound a little harsh...but, with stronger foundations...this could have been a rather remarkable film...the on-screen talent is plain to see.

And now for a directorial quibble...the two emotional 'highlights' were cut too short...minimalising their maximum effect.

Still...with that final song...almost everything can be forgiven. Despite the criticisms...this is a mighty fine film...with a mighty fine central performance.


Trailer...

 

The(ir) Blurb...

When everything is for sale, what's the value of love? Jesus does make-up for a troupe of drag performers in Havana, but dreams of being a performer. When he finally gets his chance to be on stage, a stranger emerges from the crowd and punches him in the face. The stranger is his father Angel, a former boxer, who has been absent from his life for 15 years. As father and son clash over their opposing expectations of each other, Viva becomes a love story as the men struggle to understand one another and become a family again.

Cast & Characters

Hector Medina as Jesus;
Jorge Perugorria as Angel;
Luis Alberto Garcia as Mama;
Renata Maikel Machin Blanco as Pamela;
Luis Manuel Alvarez as Cindy;
Paula Andrea Ali Rivera as Nita;
Laura Aleman as Cecilia;
Oscar Ibarra Napoles as Javier;
Mark O'Halloran as Ray;
Luis Angel Batista Bruzon as Don;
Luis Daniel Ventura Garbendia as Kali;
Yudisvany Rabu as Nuno;
Maikol Villa Puey as William;
Jorge Martinez Castillo as Celeste;
Tomas Cao as Trainer