CUBAN FURY (2013)

Directed By: James Griffiths 
Written By: Jon Brown 
Based On An Original Idea By: Nick Frost 
Cinematography By: Dick Pope 
Editor: Jonathan Amos 

 Cast: Nick Frost, Rashida Jones, Chris O'Dowd, Ian McShane, Olivia Colman, Rory Kinnear, Steve Oram, Alexandra Roach, Kayvan Novak


1987: A 13 year old natural born dancer with fire in his heels and snakes in his hips is working himself up to explode all over the UK Junior Salsa Championships. But then: a freakish bullying incident on the mean streets of London robs him of his confidence, and our young hero finds his life diverted down a very different path. So it is that 22 years later, an adult Bruce Garrett finds himself out-of-shape and unloved - trapped in a downward spiral of self-pity, repression and Nando's take-outs. Only Julia, his smart, funny, gorgeous new American boss, gives him reason to live. But she's untouchable. Out of his league, so he imagines, with her perfect smile and perfect life. Unknown to Bruce however, Julia has issues all of her own. Luckily for him, she also has a secret passion. Then there's Drew, his alpha male colleague and horny king-monkey of the office. With Drew making no secret of his desire to get (his words) "all up inside Julia", Bruce is forced into action. And thus, Bruce is once again brought face-to-face with the darkest and most powerful of his inner demons. Somehow, someway, and with a lot of hand-holding from loyal sister Sam Bruce must learn how to unshackle his dancing beast, regain his long lost fury and claim the love of his life...and he's going to do it all On The Dance Floor...

This film is predictable and follows the familiar formula to a T, with a few clever tweaks. Though you are never in doubt of the ending. It is all in how you get there that matters in films like these.

The film at it's heart has a romance with two characters who couldn't be more suited for one another. We can even tell that they like one another. Though for the films sake and story it finds a need for them to flirt and appear together at a minimum. So that most of the film they are apart from one another. Though always seem to be circling each other.

The film is cute and funny. It is light hearted fluff that is sweet yet never sickening.

Though the film does have the feel of a Adam Sandler's company Happy Madison production. The kind that usually star Kevin James. Though this film isn't as juvenile and misogynistic in it's humor as those films can be. This film has more heart and seems aimed at a more older audience.

Nick Frost stars as well as came up with the story. Here it is nice to see him center stage as the star of the film. He is likeable enough and seems like a good guy in his performances. Used to seeing him be the more crazy character. Here he is more the straight man. Who is surprisingly light on his feet. Though the film does provide a clever cameo by his usual partner in crime Simon Pegg.

The cast for this film is filled with plenty of respectable recognizable actors. That you almost wish they would go and make a stronger film then this. As casting actors like Ian McShane in this film feels more like stunt casting that luckily works.

The film let's is get to know the side characters to a point, though they stay more one dimensional and outrageous to bounce off of frost's more straight laced character.

Chris O'Dowd is hilarious as frost's rival for Rashida Jones Character.

Speaking of Rashida Jones this is one of the few films that let's her be a character of desire. She seems more like a lady in this film rather then other one's where she is the female lead that often have her playing more harsh and no non-sense women. This is the second time she has been a love interest to an overweight character (Jack Black in the film THE BIG YEAR was the other one) here she plays more of a shy and nervous character. Though always beautiful. I just hope she gets more work. As she seems to be a smart, strong and talented actress. Who never quite gets the good roles. Here she is the love interest a goal and more sidelined, only to appear to remind us what has motivated the main character.

Wait for cable.

Grade: C