El Benny
September 30, 2007 6:40pm
Granville 7 Theatre 3
El Benny is a fictionalized account of Cuban singer Benny Moré. The film starts at a low point in Benny's life. He is a heavy drinker and a womanizer, which strains the relationship with his wife, and his orchestra leader to the breaking point.
He is fired from the orchestra, but his troubles are soon forgotten with a chance encounter with an admiring cab driver. Olimpio offers Benny a space at his home for him to rehearse, and form a new band. Benny is smitten with Olimpio's teenage niece Aida, and she is equally drawn to him, much to Olimpio's dismay.
His life swings again as he has a falling out with his long time music partner pianist Monchy. Olimpio can no longer stand the advances on his niece and throws Benny out of his home. But life turns again as a young musician who pursues Benny to record his songs becomes his new pianist and brings in other young musicians to form a new band.
Benny's life is as unstable as the political situation in 1950's Cuba. When General Batista declares martial law, troops prowl the streets rounding up dissidents. When Olimpio and Aida are targeted, Benny intervenes. His popularity saves them as the agent in charge is a fan and lets them go. Olimpio becomes the band's manager and eventually relents to letting Benny and Aida marry.
Through the ups and downs of Benny's life the only constant are the terrific musical performances. Benny is a charmer on stage and off stage. Women cannot resist him and he cannot resist them. He has a mesmerizing effect on the audience.
The film is not perfect. The side plots get confusing at times and the flashbacks don't always make sense. Despite these problems, the story of a passionately lived life is clear. Benny collapses at a performance at the age of 43, his hard living and drinking finally catching up with him. Actual newsreel footage of Benny's funeral with all of Havana turning out shows his real popularity.
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