critics consensus

Strawberry and Chocolate movingly depicts the budding relationship between two men against the backdrop of a pivotal moment in Cuban history. Read critic reviews

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Strawberry and Chocolate Photos

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Movie Info

In 1979 Cuba, flamboyant gay artist Diego (Jorge Perugorría) attempts to seduce the straight and strait-laced David (Vladimir Cruz), an idealistic young communist, and fails dismally. But David conspires to be "friends" with Diego so he can monitor the artist's subversive life for the state. As Diego and David discuss politics, individuality and personal expression in Castro's Cuba, a genuine friendship develops between the two. Can it last in such an oppressive environment?

Rating:

R
Genre:

comedy
Original Language:

Spanish
Director:

Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, Juan Carlos Tabío
Writer:

Senel Paz
Box Office (Gross USA):

$268.8K
Runtime:

1h 51m
Production Co:

Miramax Films
Sound Mix:

Stereo

Cast & Crew

Jorge Perugorría
Diego

Vladimir Cruz
David

Mirta Ibarra
Nancy

Francisco Gattorno
Miguel

Joel Angelino
German

Marilyn Solaya
Vivian

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Strawberry and Chocolate

All Critics (21) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (4)

Truth be told, I sat there and chuckled warmly in all the right spots, and felt delight in the stubbornly stylish central character.

April 10, 2018 | Full Review…

Robert Horton
Film Comment Magazine
Quote not available.

September 7, 2011 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
Its subject now reveals itself as political and social freedom in Castro's Cuba and this is what makes it an intelligent companion piece to Memories of Underdevelopment, Alea's earlier film.

July 3, 2009 | Rating: 4/5

Derek Malcolm
London Evening Standard
While the central story may lack edge, 'Strawberry and Chocolate' remains an entertaining, thoughtful take on the absurdity of confusing sexuality and politics.

July 3, 2009 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Tom Huddlestone
Time Out
It's a clear-eyed critique of the revolution's treatment of gay Cubans and, as such, it's a brave and important piece of film-making.

July 3, 2009 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Wendy Ide
Times (UK)
Watching his funny and likeable Havana-set comedy is like chancing upon some undiscovered early gem by Godard or Woody Allen, and yet it has a worldliness and drollery that is all its own.

July 3, 2009 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
A clear call for tolerance, deftly executed by a director for whom the personal and the political were indivisible.

July 3, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Jon Fortgang
Film4
It's rather long-winded and the politics are pretty boring to an outsider.

July 3, 2009 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Sky Staff
Sky Cinema
Strawberry & Chocolate (Fresa y Chocolate) has a special place in cinema history.

July 3, 2009 | Full Review…

Allan Hunter
Daily Express (UK)
The film's premise (friendship between a straight and gay man) may be familiar, but set in Cuba the tale's particular context adds freshness and political alertness, resulting in a charming film with a quasi-hopeful message

April 9, 2007 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Intelligent political drama

February 5, 2007 | Rating: 4/5

John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
Quote not available.

April 28, 2005 | Rating: 3/5

Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

View All Critic Reviews (21)

Audience Reviews for Strawberry and Chocolate

Mar 20, 2009

Amiable characters and a pleasant tale of Cuban life, contrasting the young communist idealist with an older, gay intellectual artist.

Ross C Super Reviewer