Guava Island

Its inspired however slight storytelling makes for another great display of Glover’s many talents as an entertainer.

Acting has never been Rihanna’s strong suit, and when the film cuts to her, it’s impossible to ignore one of “Guava Island’s” fundamental limitations: that she really ought to be singing, rather than reduced to playing Deni’s love interest.

In this light, playful effort, the offhanded breeziness is a feature, not a bug. ... It feels very much like a movie a bunch of friends thought up late one night, perhaps while sharing a blunt, as a party was winding down. This is meant as a compliment.

Guava Island is a neat encapsulation of Glover’s key artistic interests, expressions that are by turn angry and hopeful, but always driven by the idea of music as an undeniable force for good. As a film it is slight, but not unsatisfying, instead existing as a thoughtful, dreamy tribute to art, love and people power.

The result is something half-baked and probably best watched while baked, a project rich with ideas about art and consumption that remain curiously unleavened.

Its tight runtime and straightforward message, mixed with infectious music, makes the film an enjoyable weekend-morning stream.

At times it feels like a lost student film that’s been languishing in someone’s basement for decades.

This is a laidback watch - its got a fairly thin plot about an upcoming music festival which the main character, a musician and DJ, is pushed to cancel (that made me think of the Fyre festival). I liked the start with the animated titles and there is some nice African/Caribbean music present but it felt a bit too weak otherwise. I'd have liked to have seen more character interaction and more of a context given to things. Its certainly an easy and light watch. I liked seeing the scenes featuring (what I assume to be) traditional African clothing, costumes and the like. Its not a bad watch but its not quite good as a full blown film - nearly but not quite. I couldn't help but feel like I'd be more intrigued if I had more of an emotional connection to the main characters, through knowing more of the background/context to what takes place. I'd say this is more a mix of a long series of music videos and perhaps an advert for the area, which was filmed in Cuba according to IMDB. Its certainly alright but not what I'd regard as a proper full blown film as such - I doubt it'll stay on my mind for long. However, its good to see people try something new and its reasonably enjoyable, with if but a loose plot present, so if this partcularly interests you, in terms of the music and being something a bit different (plus if you have Prime Video access as its available to watch there at the moment (late July 2019) then I'd say its worth a watch, yes, just don't expect it to be a 'regular film' as such. I felt it had potential but it didn't quite get there, somehow, which is a shame.

Guava island has a great storyline and a theme of oppressed people fighting the oppressor. But it is very much poorly executed.