Movie and Television Reviews

The cast of Cane

Follow up:

I don't usually watch soap-operas, but I decided to make an exception for Cane. I'm the son of Cubans and felt an obligation to the Cuban-American community.

Cane is a nighttime soap-opera reminiscent of Dynasty or Falcon's Crest about a wealthy Cuban family, the Duques, in the rum and sugar business. The first episode only delves into one issue with any depth. The Duques' neighbors, the Samuels', want to buy the Duque family's sugar production for what seems to the dying Vega patriarch, Pancho (Hector Elizondo), a good price, allowing them to focus on the Rum business. Adopted son, Alex Vega (Jimmy Smits), finds out, however, that upcoming legislation will encourage sugar based alternative fuels (is it true that sugar-based fuels are 10 times more efficient than ethanol? I know Brazil uses it.). Pancho nixes the deal, upsetting Alex' brother, Frank (Nestor Campbell) because Frank is sleeping with Samuels family member, Ellis (Polly Walker).

Joe Samuels dispatches a hit man to intimidate the Duques into selling. The thug happens to be an old family enemy, having taken one of the Duque sisters thirty years earlier (she's been missing for thirty years?). It's this plot element that causes a little logic problem: Why does Samuels have to hire the same, lame (literally), guy?

Other plots include Alex' son, Jaime, preferring the Marines and his Americana girlfriend over M.I.T. despite his father's (and John Kerry's, probably) protestations. Alex and his wife, Isabel (Paola Turbay [Juan Gabriel's sister]), find out that they're pregnant.

The strength of the show is Jimmy Smits, who has real presence and tips it over to the watchable side. The other actors, as is customary with an ethnic drama where talented, but typecast, actors have a chance to shine; are also very good.

The Spanglish isn't too bad (not everything is repeated twice). The Cuban stuff is good and not overdone. Most people are good-looking.

In conclusion, a solid, serious, drama with ethnic appeal. We'll see how it develops.

Politics/Message:

Very assimilationist. The climax of the first episode occurs during a Fourth of July celebration. The Duques are a model immigrant family. I didn't notice any racial tension.

Cubans are portrayed like normal people. Their extreme sexiness adds a bit of realism as well. For Cubans who wish to be on offense/stereotype patrol, don't bother.