It's the last days of 1958 and the Batista dictatorship in Cuba. Jack Weil (Robert Redford) is a professional card player on a boat to Havana. He is recruited by Roberta (Lena Olin) to smuggle radios for the revolutionaries. He's in love with her but she's married to revolt leader Dr. Duran (Raul Julia). The Durans are arrested and Dr. Duran is reported killed. Weil's poker game happens to be against the head of the secret police. He manages to win her release in their game.
Director Sydney Pollack is trying to make his version of Casablanca. The problem is that I'm not in love with this love. Casablanca is an iconic romantic film. This is a movie of lust rather than romance. It's different aspects of love although the movie ends with similar sacrifices. I understand this love story but I'm not in love with it. There is also the glowing lighting. Aside from the bright daylight, even night interiors have the glowing back light for Redford. He's the American savior. Redford has 50% too much of that boyish smile and needs 100% more desperation. He is too slick and too polished. There is this gloss of the Cuban casino world that is slightly off-putting considering the dark times being portrayed. Pollack is going for an epic glossy romance. I'm not in that mood.
Director Sydney Pollack is trying to make his version of Casablanca. The problem is that I'm not in love with this love. Casablanca is an iconic romantic film. This is a movie of lust rather than romance. It's different aspects of love although the movie ends with similar sacrifices. I understand this love story but I'm not in love with it. There is also the glowing lighting. Aside from the bright daylight, even night interiors have the glowing back light for Redford. He's the American savior. Redford has 50% too much of that boyish smile and needs 100% more desperation. He is too slick and too polished. There is this gloss of the Cuban casino world that is slightly off-putting considering the dark times being portrayed. Pollack is going for an epic glossy romance. I'm not in that mood.