Havana

Havana

Year: 1990

Runtime: 144 mins

Language: English

Director: Sydney Pollack

Budget: $40M

RomanceDrama

A distrustful high‑stakes gambler arrives in revolutionary Cuba, drawn to the city's dangerous allure. He seeks big poker wins, but his world shifts when he falls for the wife of a Communist revolutionary. Their forbidden love ignites passion and peril amid the upheaval of the Cuban Revolution.

Havana (1990) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Havana (1990) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the waning days of the 1950s, Havana swirls with a restless energy that feels both intoxicating and precarious. The city’s glittering casinos sit beside crumbling colonial facades, while the rumble of revolution seeps through its streets like a low, omnipresent drum. Nights are alive with the clatter of chips, the hiss of cigarettes, and whispered promises of a new order that may topple the old‑world decadence at any moment.

Jack Weil arrives in this charged atmosphere with a reputation for taking risks that most would deem reckless. A seasoned gambler whose distrust of everyone around him is as sharp as the cards he plays, he is drawn to Havana not only by the lure of high‑stakes poker tables but also by the tantalizing promise of a quick, decisive win that could finally tip the scales in his favor. His confidence masks a deeper need to prove himself in a world where fortunes change as quickly as allegiances.

It is amid the smoky lounges and the fevered chatter of revolutionaries that Roberta Duran first crosses his path. Elegant, enigmatic, and married to a charismatic Communist leader, she embodies the dangerous allure that the city itself offers. Their connection crackles with forbidden intensity, pulling Jack into a delicate dance between personal desire and the volatile political currents swirling around them. The prospect of love becomes another high‑risk gamble, one that could cost far more than a single hand at the table.

The film balances the seductive pulse of Havana’s nightlife with the looming uncertainty of a nation on the brink of transformation. Tension hangs in the air like a half‑lit cigar, and every encounter feels charged with the possibility of both triumph and tragedy. As the stakes rise—both at the casino and in the streets—Jack’s world tilts ever closer to a point of no return, where the line between fortune and fate blurs beneath the rhythm of a revolution in full swing.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:37

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Political Romance Dramas like Havana

Forbidden love that ignites and smolders amidst a crumbling political order.If you liked the passionate but dangerous love story set against the Cuban Revolution in 'Havana,' you'll find more movies like it here. This list features intense romantic dramas where personal relationships are tested by the fires of political turmoil, betrayal, and societal collapse.

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Narrative Summary

These stories follow an outsider or conflicted individual who becomes entangled in a romantic relationship with someone deeply involved in a political cause. The central conflict arises from the collision of personal desire with public duty, often leading to sacrifices, betrayals, and a bittersweet resolution as the revolutionary tide rises.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared core of a high-romance, high-tension narrative set within a volatile political landscape. They deliver a heavy emotional weight by exploring the moral ambiguity and fatalistic choices that define love in a time of chaos.

Noir Thrillers in Decadent Settings like Havana

A cynical outsider navigates the treacherous allure of a city on the brink.For viewers who enjoyed the dangerous allure and cynical gambler protagonist of 'Havana,' this collection gathers similar movies. Discover thrillers and dramas about morally ambiguous characters navigating treacherous, exotic locales that are beautiful but on the verge of self-destruction.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, often a gambler, smuggler, or detective, operating in a vividly drawn, decadent city. Their initial self-interest is challenged when they form a connection that pulls them into a larger, dangerous conflict, testing their cynicism and leading to a transformative, often costly, experience.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific atmospheric vibe: a tense, melancholic mood built on a foundation of moral ambiguity, high personal risk, and a setting that is as much a character as the people. The pacing is steady, building a sense of inevitable doom amidst a backdrop of feverish allure.

Unlock the Full Story of Havana

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Havana Summary

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Havana Summary

Havana Timeline

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Havana Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Havana

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Havana

More About Havana

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