Cuban Fury Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A chubby engineer reclaims his childhood salsa dreams to win over his American boss, battling a sleazy coworker and his own self-doubt in a dance-off that’s less ‘Step Up’ and more ‘Stumble Sideways’.

🍿 Cuban Fury: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Bruce’s Lost Passion

In 1987, Bruce Garrett is a promising young salsa dancer. However, a bullying incident shatters his confidence, forcing him to abandon his passion. Years later, Bruce is an overweight, uninspired office worker, a far cry from the confident dancer he once was. He lives a mundane life filled with self-pity and takeout.

A New Boss and a Renewed Spark

Bruce’s life takes an unexpected turn when Julia, a smart and gorgeous American woman, becomes his new boss. He is instantly smitten, but believes she is out of his league. He soon discovers Julia shares a secret passion for salsa dancing, rekindling his long-dormant love for the dance.

Competition and Rediscovery

Bruce faces competition from his alpha male colleague, Drew, who also vies for Julia’s attention. Motivated to win Julia’s heart, Bruce decides to confront his inner demons and reclaim his dancing skills. With the support of his sister, Sam, he seeks guidance from his former dance teacher, Ron, to rediscover his ‘Cuban Fury’.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bruce (Nick Frost): A former child salsa champion who rediscovers his passion for dancing to win over his new boss.
• Julia (Rashida Jones): Bruce’s new American boss who shares a love for salsa and becomes the object of his affection.
• Drew (Chris O’Dowd): Bruce’s arrogant and competitive colleague who also vies for Julia’s attention.
• Sam (Olivia Colman): Bruce’s supportive sister and former dance partner who encourages him to pursue his dreams.
• Ron Parfitt (Ian McShane): Bruce’s former salsa teacher who helps him rediscover his dancing skills and confidence.
• Bejan (Kayvan Novak): A flamboyant and supportive salsa dancer who becomes Bruce’s friend and mentor.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bruce: “Synthetic, less friction means less blisters. Unless you like blisters. Who likes blisters? Pilgrims.” – Bruce explains his choice of socks to Bejan when preparing for salsa, showcasing his awkwardness and Bejan’s flamboyance.
• Drew: “I’m going to get all up inside Julia.” – Drew crassly expresses his intentions towards Julia, highlighting his vulgar and competitive nature.
• Ron Parfitt: “You had the legs of a stallion and the arms of an eagle!” – Ron reminisces about Bruce’s past dancing talent, motivating him to rediscover his potential.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8.2 million
• Domestic Gross: $92,384
• Worldwide Gross: $5,645,773

💥 Cuban Fury Reviews

Personal Review

I was pleasantly surprised by ‘Cuban Fury’! Nick Frost is always enjoyable, but seeing him lead a rom-com about salsa was unexpected. The car park dance-off was hilarious, and Olivia Colman stole every scene she was in. It’s not a groundbreaking film, but it’s a fun and lighthearted watch that left me smiling. I loved the soundtrack, too. It made me want to take salsa lessons. The whole film just has a good energy.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of British comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy dance movies”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted romantic comedy”
  • “Fans of Nick Frost and the cast”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some crude language and humor”
  • “Mild sexual references”
  • “Bullying themes”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Cuban Fury is an entertaining take on romantic comedy and dance genres. A religious symbolism adds a level of depth to this otherwise straight-forward romantic comedy. The use of ‘Nick Frost-isms’ are in abundance. The gags are reminiscent of the self-conscious Danny of Hot Fuzz (2007), aided by a brief cameo of long time comedic partner Simon Pegg, Shaun of the Dead (2004).
• Film Reviewer: “While the cast is great, Cuban Fury feels predictable and tailored to a younger audience. Olivia Coleman shines as the funniest character, but overall, it’s a DVD rental rather than a cinema masterpiece. The dancing is decent, but not as impressive as ‘Step Up’ or ‘Street Dance’.
• Film Reviewer: “There’s no real need to over-think things when Cuban Fury is just so goshdarn chirpy, funny and entertaining. The film practically radiates its own brand of amiable humour, often zipping from goofy wordplay to awkward slapstick within the space of a single scene. Amidst the roof-top dance-offs and mix-tape mix-ups, there’s even a little room for huge helpings of heart.

Audience Reactions

Olivia Colman steals the show with her comedic timing and supportive sister role.: The humor and heartwarming story make it an enjoyable watch, especially for those who love British comedies.

The music is catchy and makes you want to get up and dance.: The soundtrack is great and the dance scenes are fun, even if not perfectly executed.

Overall Consensus: A feel-good, lightweight comedy with a charming cast and catchy soundtrack, but hampered by a predictable plot and uneven humor. It is very popular, as a comfort film that can be watched, when a viewer wants something light and predictable.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Nick Frost trained extensively in salsa for months before filming to make his dance moves as convincing as possible.”
• “Simon Pegg’s cameo was a surprise for audiences and a nod to his long-standing comedic partnership with Nick Frost.”
• “The film features several real salsa dancers from the London salsa scene as extras, adding authenticity to the dance sequences.”

🖥️ How to Watch Cuban Fury?

Currently, ‘Cuban Fury’ is available for streaming on platforms like Apple TV, and Google Play Movies, where you can rent or purchase the film. Check JustWatch for up-to-date rental and purchase options across various platforms. Availability may vary based on your region. It is also available for purchase on physical media such as Blu-ray and DVD.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cuban Fury, you might like these similar films:

• Strictly Ballroom (1992): Shares the theme of rediscovering passion for dance and challenging conventions in a competitive dance world.
• Run Fatboy Run (2007): Features a lovable, unfit protagonist who pushes himself to achieve a goal (running a marathon) to win back his love.
• The Full Monty (1997): British comedy about overcoming embarrassment and finding confidence through performance, with a blue-collar cast.

🛒 Cuban Fury Related Products

• Salsa Dancing for Beginners DVD: Learn the basics of salsa dancing with this comprehensive DVD, perfect for those inspired by Bruce’s journey.
• Cuban Fury [Blu-ray]: Own a copy of ‘Cuban Fury’ on Blu-ray for enhanced viewing experience and exclusive bonus content.
• Salsa Dance Shoes: Comfortable, flexible shoes designed to let you dance and move with ease, just like Bruce Garrett on the dance floor.
• Nando’s Peri-Peri Sauce Variety Pack: Bring the taste of Nando’s home with this variety pack of Peri-Peri sauces, a nod to Bruce’s favorite comfort food.

🎧 Soundtrack

Cuban Fury features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Believe In Miracles (Original Havana Mix)” – performed by Sunlightsquare

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mark Kermode reviews Cuban Fury

Want to know if ‘Cuban Fury’ is worth your time? Mark Kermode gives his brutally honest take – I don’t always agree with him, but he always gives me something to think about!

✨ Rate