For his final film, late Cuban director Tomas Gutierrez Alea decided to make . . . a road movie?
Admittedly, "Guantanamera" is a charming road movie, a low-key comedy that manages to touch equally on romance and politics. But it does come as a real surprise from Alea, whose films (including 1995's Oscar-nominated "Strawberry & Chocolate") usually centered on current Cuban politics.
The major theme of the film, which was actually finished by Alea's longtime collaborator Juan Carlos Tabio, is lost chances.
Aging musician Candido (Raul Eguren) has spent 50 years reminiscing about his long-lost love, Yoyita (Conchita Brando), who has gone on to a professional singing career. The two are finally reunited at the prodding of Yoyita's niece Georgina (Mirtha Ibarra).
Their reunion is brief and bittersweet, however, as Yoyita dies just as the two begin to share old memories. Her death sends Candido and Georgina into mourning, but also gives Georgina's obsessive bureaucrat husband Adolfo (Carlos Cruz) a chance to advance his career.
Adolfo uses her funeral as a trial run for his new plan to cut fuel costs for state funerals. Accompanying the procession, with Georgina and Candido in tow, he changes hearses in each province, so none will exceed its rationed fuel supply.
But as he becomes increasingly consumed with cutting funeral costs and meeting his time schedule, Adolfo inadvertently offends Candido with his lack of compassion. He also neglects Georgina, who keeps crossing paths with handsome truck driver Mariano (Jorge Perugorria), one of her former students, who has been romantically obsessed with her for years.
The outcome is predictable, and won't surprise anyone who's ever seen a soap opera. Fortunately, most of the situations are played for laughs, and there are quite a few to be had — in particular, the hijinks involving Mariano's unfortunate truck driving partner, Ramon (Pedro Fernandez).
And the actors are terrific, especially Ibarra (the late director's widow), who lights up the screen every time she smiles. The chemistry between her and Perugorria (the two were also in "Strawberry & Chocolate") is also very believable.
"Guantanamera" is not rated but would probably receive an R for profanity, some violence, brief nudity and some vulgar references.