RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Strawberry & Chocolate
Strawberry & Chocolate

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Strawberry & Chocolate (1993)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
79 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:19

Fresh:15

Rotten:4

Average Rating:6.6/10

Rated: 18

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Theatrical Release:03-07-2009

Synopsis: This acclaimed, Oscar-nominated film set in Cuba follows the unlikely friendship between David (Vladimir Cruz), an uptight conservative, and Diego (Jorge Perrugoria), his flamboyantly gay neighbor.... This acclaimed, Oscar-nominated film set in Cuba follows the unlikely friendship between David (Vladimir Cruz), an uptight conservative, and Diego (Jorge Perrugoria), his flamboyantly gay neighbor. At first David balks at Diego's anti-Castro leanings (which have grown especially strong in light of the government's suppression of homosexuality). However, David soon finds irresistible Diego's access to American contraband (magazines, alcohol, etc.), and with the help of a vivacious neighbor, they negotiate their disappointments and ultimately find the pleasures of life. Combining drama with a bit of humor, this film provides a light, but realistic look at the Cuban Revolution, government persecution of marginalized groups, and the tendency of human kindness to overcome hardship. [More]

Starring: Jorge Perugorria, Vladimir Cruz, Mirta Ibarra

Starring: Jorge Perugorria, Vladimir Cruz, Mirta Ibarra

Director: Tomas Gutierrez Alea, Juan Carlos Tabio

Director: Tomas Gutierrez Alea, Juan Carlos Tabio

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Strawberry & Chocolate

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

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.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
07/03/09
Derek Malcolm
Derek Malcolm
This is London

While the central story may lack edge, ‘Strawberry and Chocolate’ remains an entertaining, thoughtful take on the absurdity of confusing sexuality and politics.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
07/03/09
Tom Huddlestone
Tom Huddlestone
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
07/03/09
Jon Fortgang
Jon Fortgang
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
07/03/09
Wendy Ide
Wendy Ide
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
07/03/09
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
07/03/09
Sky Movies
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A superb Cuban film from 1993, a little classic about gay freedom and its aspirations versus Fidel Castro and his Marxist straitjacketing.

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment Comment
07/03/09
Nigel Andrews
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times

It verges on the preachy, but it's a generous and intriguing film.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
07/03/09
Robert Hanks
Robert Hanks
Independent

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

Full Review Source: Daily Express | comment Comment
07/03/09
Allan Hunter
Allan Hunter
Daily Express

This first gay filmic offering from Cuba actually plays a good deal better than it sounds.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Beautiful.

comment Comment
06/12/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
07/22/08
David Stratton
David Stratton
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
04/09/07
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Intelligent political drama

comment Comment
02/05/07
John A. Nesbit
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
04/28/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Caryn James
Caryn James
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/20/03
Leonard Schwarz
Leonard Schwarz
Palo Alto Weekly
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
09/17/01
Louis Proyect
Louis Proyect
rec.arts.movies.reviews
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
02/13/01
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
See All

More DVDs

Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
36% 36% G.I. Joe: The Rise of …
52% 52% The Taking of Pelham 1…
45% 45% Ice Age: Dawn of the D…
19% 19% Transformers: Revenge …
55% 55% Orphan

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
95% 95% Star Trek
67% 67% Brüno
47% 47% My Sister's Keeper
65% 65% Is Anybody There?
83% 83% Thirst

More New Releases…

What’s Hot On RT

Prince of Persia

Prince of Persia

Your first look at the swashbuckler.

Vampires

Vampires

We rank cinema's bloodsuckers.

Avatar

Avatar

The full trailer for Cameron's epic.

2012

2012

12 facts about Emmerich's disaster flick.

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Avatar: Gambling on Film's Future Source: Los Angeles Times
9
  • Emmerich Talks Independence Day Sequels Source: MTV
22
  • Weekly Ketchup: Rachel McAdams Reads for Spider-Man 4
189
  • Rachel McAdams Rumored for Spider-Man 4 Source: Mania.com
162
  • Danny Elfman Leaves The Wolfman Source: Cinemusic.net
29
  • Oldboy Remake Rumored Dead Source: Latino Review
20
  • Francis Lawrence Directing a Futuristic Sgt. Rock Source: Hollywood Reporter
3
  • Can Avatar Make Money? Source: New York Times
122
  • Robert Pattinson Says Breaking Dawn Could Roll in Fall 2010 Source: Collider.com
38
  • Joe Johnston Talks The Wolfman Source: Ain't It Cool News
8
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Total Recall: John Cusack's Best Movies
97
  • Five Favorite Films with Roland Emmerich
78
  • Weekly Ketchup: Rachel McAdams Reads for Spider-Man 4
63
  • Critics Consensus: 2012 Isn't Quite Earth-Shaking
44
  • Five Favourite Films with Ang Lee
32
  • 10 Movies That Changed The (End Of The) World
30
  • Friday Harvest: Clash of the Titans, Kick-Ass, and more!
29
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: 2012 Destroys the Competition
29
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
12
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
4
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
12
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
4
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
15
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
8
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
  • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
28
  • Duncan Jones talks Moon, Sam Rockwell, and Mute
14
  • Emma Stone talks Zombieland - RT Interview
40
  • Michael Moore: The RT Interview
139
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Strawberry & Chocolate at Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh Links

Featured
RT on YouTube
RT on YouTube External Link

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

RT on Twitter
RT on Twitter External Link

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.