A KISS IS STILL A KISS, EVEN IN A LATIN REMAKE

This is one of my favourite movies of all time for two reasons. First it is a remake of one of my other all time favourites Casablanca. Second it is set in one of my favourite cities, Habana Cuba.

The basic plot is that of Casablanca, the eternal love triangle and the redemption of a cynic who must chose a noble cause over his own desires. The cast is outstanding, Robert Redford, Lena Olin and Raul Julia in an unbilled role play the three principles. The supporting cast includes Alan Arkin in the "Claude Raines" part and Richard Farnsworth.

Wartime Casablanca has been replaced by Havana in the final days of the Batista regime. The Gestapo and Vichy french have been replaced by Batista's secret police, and the Gangsters who literally ruled the country at the time. Naturally the resistance fighters in this version are Castro and the other guerillas.

Redford plays Jack Wyle a cynical gambler who lives for the moment and is in town for the big game, the score that will finally put him ahead. He naturally meets and immediately fall for Roberta Duran (Olin) the wife of an upper class leader of the resistance, Artura Duran (Julia). She of course refuses his personal advances, while trying to recruit him to their cause.

When the secret police arrest both Roberta and Arturo and then shoot him "while trying to escape" Redford sees his chance. He bribes a corrupt cop to gain Olin's freedom and slowly begins to first comfort and then seduce her. As the revolution builds to a climax and the Batista police close in, the couple make plans to flee Havana.

At the last moment there is a surprising revelation. Redford is forced to make a monumental decision. In the end he gives up both Olin and the chance for his "big score" to do the one true noble thing.

The movie is beautifully filmed with great attention to detail. Sydney Pollock, the Director, for obvious reasons could not film in Havana. Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic however makes an acceptable substitute (I was visiting there a couple of years back and was shocked when I walked by the building which serves as Police Headquarters in the movie). There are several scenes that almost make you think you're in Havana. The authentic and wonderful soundtrack help to enhance this mood.

This is a great romantic story, set in one of the most romantic cities in the world. What else do you need, go see it and you too "...will always have Havana".