Buena Vista Social Club
Seen it?1999 | 105 min | Documentary, Music
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for the curious. If you loved Moonage Daydream, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Eye-opening.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 45 min.
- What might put you off
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In this fascinating Oscar-nominated documentary, American guitarist Ry Cooder brings together a group of legendary Cuban folk musicians (some in their 90s) to record a Grammy-winning CD in their native city of Havana. The result is a spectacular compilation of concert footage from the group's gigs in Amsterdam and New York City's famed Carnegie Hall, with director Wim Wenders capturing not only the music -- but also the musicians' life stories.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 51K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Wim Wenders
- Compay SegundoSelf
- Eliades OchoaSelf
- Ry CooderSelf
- Joachim CooderSelf
- Ibrahim FerrerSelf
- Omara PortuondoSelf
- Rubén GonzálezSelf
- Orlando 'Cachaíto' LópezSelf
- Amadito ValdésSelf
- Manuel 'Guajiro' MirabalSelf