Havana

Year: 1990

Runtime: 144 mins

Language: English

Director: Sydney Pollack

Budget: $40M

RomanceDrama

A distrustful high‑stakes gambler lands in revolutionary Cuba, drawn to the perilous streets of the city where he hopes to win big at poker. There he encounters a daring woman who has risked everything, the wife of a Communist revolutionary, and a fierce passion ignites between them despite the danger surrounding their city.

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

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In the fever‑dream of late‑1950s Havana, a city teeters between decadence and upheaval. Neon signs flicker over bustling cafés while the streets pulse with whispered rumors of an impending revolution. The air is thick with cigar smoke, salt from the harbor, and the restless energy of a society on the brink of transformation. Within this vibrant, volatile backdrop, the glitter of high‑stakes casino tables offers a fleeting refuge for those willing to gamble with more than just money.

Jack Weil arrives in the capital with a reputation for mistrust and a talent for reading opponents across a felt surface. A seasoned high‑roller accustomed to the cut‑throat world of professional poker, he carries the weight of past cons and the constant itch for the next perfect hand. The city’s casinos become his stage, where every bet is a negotiation with fate and every glance across the table a test of resolve. His guarded nature masks a lingering yearning for something—perhaps redemption or a chance to prove his worth—that goes beyond the usual chase of chips and cash.

Roberta Duran steps onto this scene as a striking, daring presence whose own stakes are far more precarious. Married to a man deeply entangled in the revolutionary cause, she navigates the dangerous overlap of personal loyalty and political conviction. Their paths cross against the roar of clinking glasses and the hushed tension of secret deals, sparking an unexpected and volatile attraction that threatens to upend both of their carefully constructed facades. The chemistry between them crackles amid the chaotic rhythm of a city where love, danger, and ambition are inextricably linked.

Amid the looming promise of change, the narrative swirls with smoky intrigue, intoxicating romance, and the relentless pull of risk. The characters move through a world that doubles as a playground for fortune‑seekers and a crucible for revolutionaries, leaving the audience to wonder how far each will go when the line between personal desire and the tides of history begins to blur.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:37

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Revolutionary Romance Movies like Havana

Passionate affairs that burn brightly against the backdrop of political upheaval.If you were captivated by the ill-fated passion in Havana, explore more movies like it. This collection features intense romantic dramas set against political revolutions, where love and duty collide, leading to powerful stories of sacrifice and bittersweet endings.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives center on a love affair that becomes entangled with a larger political struggle. The protagonists, often from opposing sides or with conflicting commitments, find their relationship tested by danger, betrayal, and the overwhelming forces of history, typically concluding with a profound sense of loss.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core premise of a high-stakes romance set within a volatile political landscape. They share a heavy emotional weight, a melancholic tone, and explore themes of sacrifice, moral ambiguity, and the high personal cost of idealism.

Movies about Cynical Outsiders like Havana

A disillusioned loner finds purpose through a dangerous connection in a troubled land.Fans of the gambler protagonist in Havana will enjoy similar films featuring cynical loners who find redemption. Discover movies like Havana where a self-serving character is transformed by love or sacrifice in a corrupt and dangerous environment, leading to a heavy emotional journey.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a world-weary individual who operates by their own code, detached from the struggles around them. Their encounter with a cause or a person of fierce conviction forces them to confront their own emptiness. The arc is one of moral reawakening, often culminating in a significant sacrifice that redefines their life, even if it ends in loss.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects films through a specific character archetype and their emotional journey. They share a steady, character-driven pace, a high-intensity atmosphere of risk, and a bittersweet conclusion where the protagonist is redeemed but pays a heavy personal price.

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Havana Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Havana

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More About Havana

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