This HBO film shows how Sandoval's life in revolutionary Cuba is affected--beginning in the early 1970s--by his zeal for his music and by the limits placed on him by his homeland. Representing his torn loyalties are Dizzy Gillespie (the enigmatic jazz musician played by Charles S. Dutton) and Sandoval's wife, Marianela (played by the beautiful Mia Maestro). Gillespie embodies the freedom to follow one's dream, while Marianela represents family loyalty and the ideals of the Castro revolution. Yet, the same regime his wife embraces forces Arturo to play government-imposed music instead of the jazz that he loves. Sandoval travels the world, and while the Cuban government profits from his success, he is exposed to a freedom that eventually draws him to the difficult and life-changing decision he and his family feel compelled to make.

Against a backdrop of beautiful scenery and exceptional music, For Love or Country provides a harsh depiction of revolutionary Cuba, its outmoded lifestyle, and the restrictions placed on its people. --Mindy Ruehmann

If a character in the movie The Player were pitching For Love or Country, he would describe it thus : it's the Sound of Music, but set in Cuba. Indeed, this gross oversimplification manages to capture some important aspects of the film. Arturo Sandoval, like the von Trapps, is a real life musician--a renowned jazz trumpeter--who fled a repressive regime and whose flight was complicated by concerns for family. But the differences are also important, and they serve to give this picture a depth and resonance that make it wholly worthwhile in its own right.

First, where the Nazis are so notorious as to immediately invoke our sympathy for the von Trapps, there has been a disturbing tendency in America to glamorize Fidel Castro and to minimize the crimes of his regime, right from the very beginning of the Revolution and the absurdly favorable profiles that the New York Times published in the late 50s. In a grotesque irony, this film was actually made during the whole Elian Gonzalez mess, when a significant portion of the American public, and a majority of the intellectual class, argued that a young boy, whose mother died trying to get him to freedom, should be returned to live in Castro's dictatorship. One of the fascinations of For Love or Country is that it gives us a rare glimpse into the lives of regular Cuban citizens and shows the spirit crushing effects of Communism on their lives. And it powerfully demonstrates the illegitimacy of a political system which is so bent on controlling the minds of its citizenry that even certain rebellious forms of music are outlawed. In one of the best scenes, Sandoval's wife, Marianela, asks an official for permission for her husband to play straightforward jazz, rather than just the distinctively latin jazz that he has helped pioneer in the band Irakere. The Party leader ominously warns her not to say something she'll regret and admonishes her that the Revolution needs everyone's' support to survive. In turn, she asks :

If the Revolution can't withstand...a Cuban man playing the music he loves, why bother trying to save it ?

What lends this scene its particular power is that, where Arturo has always harbored doubts about the Revolution and has refused to join the Party, Marianela has been a firm defender and has acted as a brake on his desire to rebel and even to flee. This dynamic, of Arturo being forced to choose between his love for his wife and his yearning to be free to play his own music, gives the story its great drama. In general, the scenes showing how difficult a choice it is for people to defect, to love family, friends, and homeland behind, are genuinely affecting, and should serve as a tonic for anyone who questions the motivations and commitment of refugees who seek our shores.

Added to the strong political themes are a hopefully career reviving performance by Andy Garcia, once one of Hollywood's hottest young stars; a dynamic star turn by Charles S. Dutton as Dizzy Gillespie; and, of course, a terrific soundtrack. Unfortunately, this movie, though it won several awards, was only shown on cable, but now that it is available on a budget priced DVD, perhaps it will find the wider audience it so richly deserves. I hope so, though I tend to doubt it. But there is a consolation; at the end of the movie you somehow feel a little bit prouder to be an American, just knowing what the Sandovals went through to become Americans themselves.

GRADE : A


Emotional journey   October 30, 2005
Serena Gutnik (Georgia)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

Since I have been unable to locate an address in which to write Mr. Garcia to explain how this film touched me, I thought this might be the next best thing. As a "natural born" citizen of the United States, I often feel overwhelming guilt for the suffering of the people who live in countries ruled by dictatorships and tyranny, while I enjoy innumerable freedoms here. Mr. Garcia has brought us a film that inspires hope, courage of conviction, and raises our awareness of the suffering still going on in his birthplace without bringing the stinging guilt that such a movie usually instills in me. I cried, then paced my apartment, then searched the Web for hours trying to find a way to contact Mr. Garcia to tell him that his message is received and appreciated.
The story is so amazing, it is almost difficult to believe that Mr. Sandavol not only lived it, but managed to see his whole family emigrate to the U.S. Thank you, HBO and Mr. Garcia, for telling a story that deserved to be told.


Magnificent Movie!! But....   April 15, 2002
lhoney75 (Miami, Florida USA)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

...being that it is ABOUT LIFE IN CUBA and the CUBAN STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM from a tiranical government.. who on EARTH forgot to add a spanish language track, and at the very least- a spanish subtitle feature- to the DVD?!?! Subtitled VHS? Boo..Hiss on HBO. Come now, do they honestly think there are no cuban-americans who might wish to view this great film in their native language? For example, our 70'yr old grandmother who experienced first hand, what viewers of this film only begin to understand. She is unable to enjoy this film about her home, because the spanish language track and subtitles were left off? Sad..

Otherwise, this movie is fantastic. Although, I am told on solid authority that Sandoval had life (while in Cuba) a whole lot better than a majority of Cuban's.. however, his struggle and fame helped to bring press and attention to the serious issues facing the Cuban People.


Escape to Freedom   December 1, 2002
Rebecca Johnson (Washington State)
23 out of 30 found this review helpful

FOR LOVE OR COUNTRY is based on the true story of Arturo Sandoval who finally cooperates with the Cuban government and even joins the communist party in order to have the freedom to travel internationally. He was living in a country where there was no respect for human rights, let alone freedom of expression in music.

Arturo Sandoval is one of the most brilliant musicians of our time and is known as a protégé of the great Dizzy Gillespie. He was born in Artemisa on November 6, 1949. Artemisa is a small town on the outskirts of Havana, Cuba.

He realized he was a trumpet player when he was eleven. He began studying classical trumpet at the age of twelve. He is now known as one of the world's most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn. As a Professor, Sandoval has lectured internationally.

Filled with a virtuoso capability, he had an intense desire to share his musical gift with those who share the same love for music. Arturo Sandoval appears on the tracks "Moonglow" and "That Old Feeling" in Rod Stewart's release "It Had to Be You: The Great American Songbook." His diverse style can be heard on albums like Gloria Estefan's "Into the Light." He also has made a contribution on albums by Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra and Paul Anka.

This movie emphasizes his virtuoso technical ability and his specialty in high notes. He also is shown playing the piano and is known for lyrically improvising a ballad. He also had the privilege of creating and performing the score for this movie. The story of his own life. He explains:

"When the idea for the movie came up, I was happy to be able to tell my story, but even happier to write the film score," he says. "Music for movies has been my life's passion, and this was my first and biggest step in that direction..."

In the movie, Arturo (Cuban-American actor Andy García) is thinking about defecting when he meets Marianela (Mia Maestro). She becomes more important to him than freedom. Their beliefs are on the opposite sides of the political spectrum and yet their love binds them to one another as they try to overlook their political differences.

Marianela represents family loyalty and the way people who live in Cuba really think. It shows how Marianela goes from being completely loyal to a dictator to having her eyes opened to the reality of the situation. She falls completely in love with this talented musician but fears he may leave her like her first husband. Arturo has also been married before and while he is willing to spend his entire life with Marianela, she has her doubts and issues with trust. She has been betrayed by the government she supported.

"What I feel about you. I've never felt it before ... I don't trust it." -Marianela

This movie is at times so romantic. Especially the scene where Marianela and Arturo are dancing and when she wakes him up after he spends the night sleeping on a grave. The scene overlooking the ocean is so pristine.

After performing with the Cuban Orchestra of Modern Music, he was allowed to start a group called Irakere that promoted a combination of Cuban music and jazz. In 1981 he then leaves Irakere to form his own band.

He believes he has a gift to give the world and is fighting a force that threatened to drown his true love, music.

After living with his wife in Cuba and starting a family, he decides it is time to leave. He believes that by defecting to the United States he is rejecting a system that kills confidence and personality. Rejecting a government that controls everything to the point that people lose their desire to achieve.

The government finally tries to control Sandoval's music and his dream for greater artistic expression. While on a European tour, he leaves for a secret meeting at the U.S. Embassy.

Sandoval was granted political asylum in July 1990. Since his defection, Sandoval has increased his classical performances world wide including performances with the National Symphony, L.A. Philharmonic, National Symphony of Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh Symphony.

"This was such a blessing for me. I thank God everyday for being here in this wonderful country and sharing my music. This experience has been very rewarding. I hope that our modest musical contribution here today shows we stand united and strong and that we are America the Beautiful." ~Arturo Sandoval speaking of his opportunity to share his music at the White House

Even Arturo says he would like to go back to visit his homeland, but under a different government.

"Flight to Freedom" was his first recording immediately following his defection.

An emotional movie about the desire to use your God-given talents without repression from those who don't see beauty in the soul. This movie really is about having a dream and finding your true purpose in life. This is a movie about beauty and sadness with a happy ending.

Life is truly a dream for those who are free and yet at times even if you are free, you can feel that you are in a prison of yourself. There are times when a person feels they have so much to give and they can't find an outlet for their gift to the world. In such a case a person can at times risk everything for the freedom of expression and the freedom to grow as a person, as a soul.

If you never follow your dreams, you might not be really free.

A movie about Romance and Freedom everyone should see! Especially romantics and those who love Jazz.

~The Rebecca Review


Great movie, great music, great drama   December 9, 2001
Kai G. Henriksen (Oslo, Norway)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

For everyone who is interested in jazz in general and in Arthuro Sandoval in particular, this DVD is a must. In addition, it gives a depressive picture of life in communist Cuba. When Sandoval has to suppress his musicality (i.e. his desire to express himself through jazz) life in Cuba becames intolerable. Andy Garcia is great as Mr. Sandoval and Mía Maestro as his life-time love, Marianela, is just gorgeous. I would have wanted more soundtracks with Sandoval, but I can always listen to his great recodings (especially the beautiful "I remember Clifford"). Go get it!