marcosrobertosanches Too much dialogue can ruin a movie, but too little leaves the audience longing for more. What are the motivations for the caracters? Why they do what they do? It doesn't seem to matter to the writer and director. It is basically a film about poverty, that could be anywhere... South America, southeast Asia, even Iran! Why set it in Havana? Again, no clues. It is good, but would be better if it was a short film, 15 or 20 minutes, tops.

Edgar Soberon Torchia In the 1970s, when I lived in Old San Juan (Puerto Rico), there was a black, round transvestite known as Lorena, who performed at the club "Cabaret," where he was a sensation for a couple of months with his hyper-dramatic interpretations of songs like Roberta Flack's "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". He knelt on the stage, prayed, pleaded, even wept a bit, never losing his sense of humor, nor hiding the effect of detachment which, in general, good transvestite shows produce. Then, about three decades later, living in La Habana, I realized that the local homosexual subculture survived in a bubble, with patterns of social behavior (ranging from partying to couple interaction) that referred me to times gone by, as a recycling of the 1950s at the close of the 20th century. These manifestations, as well as the bitchiness in relations, have, of course, not died on or off the island, and they persist along with the "urbanity" of the "gay" community (more selective and classist), but I found they were almost the rule in Cuba. These two memories combined in my head, when the Irish film "Viva" ended and Héctor Medina as Jesus, the hairdresser who chooses to be a transvestite, became a kind of La Lupe, crying, imploring, pulling curtains from the cabaret managed by Mama (Luis Alberto García), in a highly current story, if we only consider the homophobia that reigns in almost all contemporary societies and that is at the center of the movie. At the same time, in the script by Mark O'Halloran, the same man who wrote the remarkable "Garage" (2007), I perceived a certain "poofy fascination" with an old and decadent universe that cries out for renewal. If O'Halloran achieved a well-measured drama in the Irish countryside in "Garage," I think that in other people's territory he emphasized the exotic and lost in realism. Despite the attempt to truthfully show misery and the alternatives of a young man who, in the absence of the stage of a transvestite club, opts for prostitution, "Viva" is a syrupy portrait of the streets of Cuba (that "inner Havana," opposed to the better-off life of the privileged people of the island) and its dens (as opposed to the big, fancy cabarets with larger budgets). One can overlook the filmmakers' ecstasy with the old- fashioned spectacles of transvestites (by interpreters-actors who have always lived a marginal existence and suffered severe exploitation), but where "Viva" loses more effectiveness is in its melodramatic approach to the relationship between Jesus and his father (Jorge Perugorría), who suddenly breaks into the boy's life and opposes his purpose. There is enough material to incite tears and emotion, as in the best melodramas, with music that exaggerates the pain we already perceive in the good performances by Medina, Perugorría, García, Laura Alemán and Paula Alí. For that drama beyond moderation, "Viva" is enjoyed, but I suppose there must be followers of film aesthetics according to Bruce La Bruce, Larry Clark, Gaspar Noé and Gustavo Vinagre, who would have been grateful for something a bit more graphic in the approach to eroticism and violence that permeate "Viva".

ksf-2 Interesting that the Executive Producer here is Benicio del Toro... he's from Puerto Rico, and this story takes place in Cuba. We learn right at the beginning that our hero Jesus (Héctor Medina) has no family, and is trying to earn a living as a hairdresser, but its not enough. He auditions at a friend's club in a drag number, but its rough going, and there seems to be a lot of competition. (who knew there was that much competition for drag queens in Havana ?) The other performers try to help him, but its an uphill climb. Has the usual themes of hairdressing, prison, and shaky-family connections that one finds in films by Paddy Breathnach. Papa suddenly comes back into his life and just gets in the way, a drunken mess. Won't let Jesus perform. The film is quite good; we get a good idea of life in Havana, what life is like for one group of LGBT folks. The music is excellent, the script, acting, all very high quality. Will Jesus have the strength to do what he wants (needs) to do to survive? A couple twists in here, just to spice things up. Incredible acting by Medina... you totally feel his pain all through the film. All the acting is top notch. Highly recommend this one.

Tom Dooley Jesus is a hairdresser in Cuba's capital and he works with the performers of a drag venue run by Mama – an effervescent and passionate man who can hold an audience – but needs the right wig. Jesus also does his wigs but longs to don the dresses, make up wigs and sparkle on stage like the drag acts he sees perform.Then one day his estranged father turns up. He is an ex boxer with a dark past, a smoking and drinking habit and attitudes that make him anything but receptive to his sons wishes – sparks are gonna fly. Now this is from Irish director Paddy Breathnatch ('Shrooms') and was co funded by The Irish Film Board – written by Mark O'Halloran, who also has a small part here and brought us 'Garage' as well as appearing in a number of films including 'The Guard'. As such the collaboration or Irish and Cuban talent works very well. One of the biggest criticisms has been the failure to put sub titles to the songs that are performed in the film. It is in Spanish so naturally is sub titled, but the songs are not. Paddy Breathnatch has said this was to ensure the audience concentrated on the performances and not just try to read the words etc. Well I could have managed both and I am sure a few others could too. That said I really enjoyed this film, it is a great script, a strong cast and enough drama to keep a drama queen happy. Plus you get some fabulous performances on stage too, so it is a film I can recommend.