It offers a coming-of-age tale told unflaggingly from the point of view of a pouting, humorless and unsympathetic nine-year-old.

Strange, bearded house guests shake up a peeved little girl's life, infusing it with political imagination and wonder.

The young heroine is rather humorless, but Gavras's intelligence and skillful touch are evident throughout.

Gavras maintains a light touch throughout that allows us a rare chance to emphasize with both the radical and conservative elements at the family dinner table.

Blame it on Fidel! is a knowing lesson in film and history that often makes its serious point with a dose of wise humor.

Gavras does not impose a political viewpoint upon her material, but respects the convictions of her various characters.

It's all too easy to read Blame It On Fidel as a simple morality tale, an allegory comparing conservatism to childishness, and political awakening to emotional maturity.

Politics -- hardly a movie audience's immediate choice when it comes to entertainment -- becomes a deeply engaging subject in Blame It on Fidel thanks to a 9-year-old charmer who steals our hearts.