In “Havana 1990,” Robert Redford plays an American gambler who falls in love with a revolutionary played by Lena Olin. The film is a tense, political thriller set against the backdrop of Cuba during the waning days of Castro’s regime. Redford’s character finds himself caught between forces vying for control of the country, including corrupt officials, dissidents and the underground opposition movement. Through it all, he must rely on his wits and his love for Olin to survive and find a way out of Cuba before it’s too late.

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Review
Havana: A Forgotten Gem of the 90s
Havana is a 1990 drama film that tells the story of an American gambler named Jack Weil (Robert Redford) in Havana, Cuba during the revolution in 1958. The film is directed by Sydney Pollack, and it stars Lena Olin as Bobby Duran, Raul Julia as Arturo Duran, and Alan Arkin as Joe Volpi.
In this article, we will explore how Havana has become a forgotten gem of the 90s by using Robert Cialdini’s persuasive writing techniques. We will begin by discussing the storyline of the movie and how it has remained relevant over time.
The Storyline
The story of Havana revolves around Jack Weil, a professional gambler who travels to Havana in search of bigger opportunities. When he arrives in Cuba, he meets Bobby Duran, a stunningly beautiful woman who is also married to Arturo Duran. Arturo is a revolutionary leader who is fighting against President Batista’s corrupt government.
As Jack falls in love with Bobby, he becomes involved in their fight against Batista’s regime. However, as things escalate between the rebels and Batista’s army, Jack realizes that he must choose between his love for Bobby and his own safety.
The storyline tackles themes such as love, politics and revolution – making it relevant even to this day despite being released over three decades ago.
The Casts
One of the major reasons why Havana became such a successful movie was due to its star-studded cast that included Robert Redford, Lena Olin, Raul Julia and Alan Arkin. The cast delivered an outstanding performance that captured audiences all over America.
Redford played his character with great accuracy; he portrayed Jack Weill’s character with ease and impeccable timing. On the other hand Lena Olin portrayed her character superbly which led her to be nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance.
Raul Julia played Arturo Duran with such pathos and intensity that it’s no surprise he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Alan Arkin gave a laidback but solid performance as Jack’s friend, Joe Volpi.
The History
Havana is set in 1958, during the Cuban Revolution, which makes it an important historical document of that era. The film showcases the struggles of the revolutionaries and their fight against the corrupt government of President Batista. This has made it a relevant cinematic work that appeals to people who have an interest in history.
The Soundtrack
One of the highlights of Havana is its soundtrack which features classic Cuban music, including songs performed by Celia Cruz and Tito Puente. The music transports you back to Havana during the 1950s and adds to the film’s authenticity.
The Production
Havana was filmed on location in various parts of Cuba which gave it an authentic feel. The director, Sydney Pollack, did an excellent job with recreating Cuba during its revolutionary days making it look real and authentic at all times.
The Cinematography
Owen Roizman’s cinematography in Havana is simply outstanding. He captured everything from the Cuban architecture to its beautiful beaches which added both color and life to the film throughout. It was nominated for an Academy Award along with Lena Olin’s supporting role.
Awards And Critical Reception
Although Havana never won any major awards at major ceremonies, it received critical acclaim from various critics who praised its acting performances, direction, storyline and cinematography.
Despite not winning any major awards nonetheless all cast members were recognized for their superb acting skills by receiving various nominations at different awarding ceremonies worldwide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Havana is a forgotten gem of the 90s that deserves to be seen again due to its excellent cast performances under Sydney Pollack’s direction combined with excellent cinematography and its riveting storyline that touches on themes such as love, politics and revolution. It’s impressive that the movie is still relevant to this day, making it a cinematic work worth revisiting.
Technical Data

- Release : 1990-12-11
- Runtime : 144
- Genre : Drama, Romance
- Cast : Robert Redford as Jack Weil, Lena Olin as Bobby Duran, Alan Arkin as Joe Volpi, Tomas Milian as Menocal, Daniel Davis as Marion Chigwell
- Crew : Vincent Paterson as Choreographer, Lynn Stalmaster as Casting, Sydney Pollack as Director, Sydney Pollack as Producer, William Steinkamp as Editor
- Revenue : $9,243,140
- Budget : $40,000,000
- Company : Mirage Films, Universal Pictures
- Popularity : 11.455
- Summary : An American professional gambler named Jack Weil decides to visit Havana, Cuba to gamble. On the boat to Havana, he meets Roberta Duran, the wife of a revolutionary, Arturo. Shortly after their arrival, Arturo is taken away by the secret police, and Roberta is captured and tortured. Jack frees her, but she continues to support the revolution.
- Tagline : A gambler who trusted no one. A woman who risked everything. And a passion that brought them together in the most dangerous city in the world.