An impressionistic glance at Cuba's vibrant cultural heritage, Wim Wenders' Buena Vista Social Club is an often times intriguing portrait of notable musicians and their craft.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 12, 2020

It is nearly impossible to watch this documentary without being moved.

| Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 4, 2020

Buena Vista Social Club resonates almost like a diplomatic effort that helped set the stage for a post-revolutionary relationship to Cuba, a rare meeting between neighbors after decades of distance.

| May 9, 2017

Wenders packs in an impressive amount of experience and, most importantly, secured the place of these amazing musicians in the larger scope of history

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 25, 2017

| Original Score: B- | Sep 7, 2011

One of the best and most impactful docus of the 1990s, Wim Wenders exhilarating feature is at once a trbute to a pre-Castro generation of musicians as well as a largely bygone genre.

| Original Score: A | Aug 3, 2011

Cuban musicians tell their life stories.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 1, 2011

... celebrates the beauty of Cuba's art while showing how it effortlessly crosses cultures.

| Feb 7, 2010

An affectionate cinematic celebration of that all-but-forgotten music.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 15, 2009

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 7, 2008

Reflects that flavorful, outspoken, provocative, distinctly Cuban Latino-centricity, a weapon against the prolonged U.S. blockade.

| Apr 12, 2007

Cooder is obviously enthralled by the music and the musicians, but it's hardly communicated in a clubby film record that's likely to win few fans outside aficionados.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jun 15, 2006

Wenders... is not interested in too many hows, whys, whens, or wheres. He simply wants to spotlight this band and its stories, and he succeeds.

| May 26, 2006

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 6, 2005

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 6, 2005

| Original Score: B+ | Apr 9, 2005

Musically impressive but somewhat overpraised documentary

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 7, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 20, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 17, 2003

A beautiful, touching, and perfectly tuned documentary into Cuban music.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 11, 2003