Cuba is a really interesting place. I’ve actually been there, though only for a day, back a few years ago before the U.S. government again made it difficult to travel to the island. I only mention this to bring up the potential inherent in setting a story even partially in that country. The Cuban, opening today, opts to do just such a thing, though is unable to fully build upon the premise and the promise of that element, especially when it goes so far as to actually shoot in Havana (more on that in a bit). Despite a touching turn from Louis Gossett Jr. and some charming emotions, the final product sadly leaves you wanting more. The movie is a drama about an unexpected friendship that develops in a nursing home. When naive pre-med student Mina (Ana Golja) gets her first job, it’s in a nursing home, which doesn’t start off like she’d expected, at all. However, she’s drawn to one of the residents in Luis Garcia (Louis Gossett Jr.), due to a jazz poster he has on the way. Luis, a former Cuban musician, suffers from dementia and initially, Mina’s attempts to get through to him, even if it’s just to feed him, are total failures. Then, when that poster, which is of Benny More, inspires her to hum a jazz tune, something inside of him comes alive. Through music, they begin to bond, with his past becoming vibrant in his mind once again, while she comes into her own in the present. Through that, a friendship begins to blossom, all due to a shared love of music. Sergio Navarretta directs a screenplay by Alessandra Piccione, with cinematography by Celiana Cárdenas. Supporting players here include Shohreh Aghdashloo, Layla Alizada, Giacomo Gianniotti, Lauren Holly, Jonathan Keltz, Shiva Negar, and more. This film, while not particularly engaging, does give Louis Gossett Jr. a pretty strong role, while Ana Golja is a standout, overall. Their scenes together a realistic, warm, and at the heart of the story. The plot itself is too thin and lacks any urgency, but the two leads more than do their part to hide some of that flaw. Gossett Jr. is able to suggest a lot with his face, which is essential here. There’s even a case to be made that the focus should have even been on him more than it is. Golja is real good, but […]