For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story (2000)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Even though this is a "TV movie" it never seems like a TV movie. The actors are super as are the production values. Add to that music supplied by Arturo Sandoval himself and it all adds up to a fine movie. Sure, I suppose it is a bit romanticized but never in an objectionable manner. The movie is told as a series of flashbacks as Arturo is at an American embassy, being interviewed as he asks for asylum, to escape Cuba. The story is told in a manner which portrays the Cuban government in an unfavorable light. The only "freedom" that Castro's revolution brought them was the freedom to do what the government wanted them to. Anyone who might have spoken against Castro was tried then shot. Andy Garcia is very good as Arturo Sandoval. He certainly has a passion for the role, being a Cuban refugee himself, as a small boy. Being a trumpet player myself I could certainly tell he wasn't actually playing, but in many cases he did a pretty good job of faking it almost realistically. His love was south American Mía Maestro as Marianela. A friend of hers was played by another Cuban refugee, Gloria Estefan as Emilia. David Paymer was the Embassy interviewer. And Charles S. Dutton was good as Dizzy Gillespie whom Sandoval idolized, and also who helped Sandoval get approval for him and his family to come to the USA while he was on tour.A really good movie. I saw it on DVD loaned from my public library.

I have shown this video to my Spanish classes for the last several years and it has been accepted with eager minds. It is hard for these students to understand that there is a place so close to the US that will not permit their citizens the freedom that we enjoy. The music is great and Garcia does an excellent job playing the lead role. My students would like to rewrite the ending and may it happier but I explained that in the real world things like this are happening all the time. I hope that someday I will be able to meet Mr. Sandavol. He is coming to my home town in April but I will not be able to attend his concert because I will be in Miami for a wedding that same week-end. Since I am a trumpet player also and about his age, it would be a great opportunity to make is acquaintance.

As a Cuban-American the Arturo Sandoval story as portrayed in this film was truly a moving experience.This film " For Love or Country" is the life-story of Arturo Sandoval he's a Cuban trumpet player who loves his country but questions the repressive communist dictatorship. because of the fact that he is a great trumpeter he's allowed some privileges, and it's through these perks that he meets the great jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie. He and Gillespie form a bond that is apparent through the film. Their friendship also make for much needed comic relief , something essential when dealing with such subject matter. Gillespie's antics a truly unique., and It is through this friendship that the wheels are set in motion for Sandoval's defection.Sandoval knows that his wife and child would immediately be targeted by the communist authorities in Cuba, should he follow through with his defection. He's a brave man who faced with a serious decision, takes courageous steps ., and with the help of Gillespie , arranges to defect. Problem is that will his family be able to join him in exile. That is the main plot of the film . How can he escape Cuba, and have his family join him.This is one of Andy Garcia' so best acting roles. He conveys to the world the ugly reality of the Cuban experience in our search for freedom.This film truly is among the best I've seen.

I saw this movie on HBO 3 times. It was very entertaining yet also very sad, showing many of us how an oppressive regime under a dictator can tear families apart, ban artistic creativity and force a man to flee his country. The team at HBO certainly scored a 10 with this one. I was able to sit down with my children and share a very poignent experince about the human condition and the importance of freedom and democracy. All of the cast were marvelous, and what more can you say about Andy Garcia this actor is truly gifted and outstanding, Ive seen Arturo Sandoval play and Andy captured his every nuance of musical genius, plus he showed us the artists soul and his heartbreaking choice of For Love of Country. Well done HBO and Andy Garcia, give us more of this type of compelling film making