In the late 1990's musician Ry Cooder went to Cuba and rounded up a bunch of legendary Cuban musicians to form a group known collectively as the Buena Vista Social Club. This group wound up recording an album that sold in mass volume and won a well-deserved Grammy. Moreover, the group also performed both in Amsterdam and at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Fortunately, Cooder convinced filmmaker Wim Wenders to make this delightful documentary that wisely eschews narration in favor of letting these fabulously talented folks tell the stories of their lives in their own words.
No surprise that the music contained herein practically explodes with joy and vitality: Whether it's pianist Ruben Gonzalez tickling the ivories while surrounded by a circle of adoring children or Ibrahim Ferrer and Omar Portuondo making sweet magic out of a beautiful duet on a romantic ballad, the music registers as quite seductive and melodic throughout. The musicians themselves are a colorful and endearing bunch, with the elderly, but still suave and virile Compay Segundo, who talks about having a sixth child at age 90 (!); the dynamic and resilient Ferrer, who at one point in his life was reduced to shining shoes for a living; and the extremely elegant Gonzalez rating as particular stand outs. Best of all, this film provides a positively infectious celebration and reflection of the human spirit's incredible ability to triumph in the face of abject poverty and obscurity. A total treat.
No surprise that the music contained herein practically explodes with joy and vitality: Whether it's pianist Ruben Gonzalez tickling the ivories while surrounded by a circle of adoring children or Ibrahim Ferrer and Omar Portuondo making sweet magic out of a beautiful duet on a romantic ballad, the music registers as quite seductive and melodic throughout. The musicians themselves are a colorful and endearing bunch, with the elderly, but still suave and virile Compay Segundo, who talks about having a sixth child at age 90 (!); the dynamic and resilient Ferrer, who at one point in his life was reduced to shining shoes for a living; and the extremely elegant Gonzalez rating as particular stand outs. Best of all, this film provides a positively infectious celebration and reflection of the human spirit's incredible ability to triumph in the face of abject poverty and obscurity. A total treat.