Donald Glover

Rihanna

Letitia Wright

Nonso Anozie

Alan Jael Velázquez Abreu

Renny Arozarena

Betiza Bismark

Michael Ricardo Crespo Cardenas

Barbara Janet Martinez

Ayensi Amilgar Jardines Delgado

Pedro Julio Diaz

Talia Gómez

Victor Manuel Correa Magueira

Claudia Rivero Martínez

Kdir Michel Varela Moreno

Iyaima Martínez Navarro

Luis Enrique Carreres

Yansel Alberto Monagas Pérez

Karla Talía Pino Piloto

Enrique Quiñones

Alain Rodriguez

Daniel Amat Rodríguez

Rubens Rodríguez Soberón

Marley Palma Bosh

Jaiko Ignacio Crespo Puig

Greisy Ariosa Muguercia

Lisbet La Pera Quiñones

Osmara Berta Ival Montenegro

Aaron Oscar Valdes Taboada

Dania Rosa Santiago Madrigal

Yenni Gonzalez Pavon

Yanara García Calderón

Dariel Pérez Pérez

Yamilka Pérez Pérez

Andys Triana Gonzáles

Waldir Iznaga Espada

Ernesto Gómez

Jorge Enrique Vicente Munoz

Rodney Barreto

Alejandro Delgado Rodriguez

Jamil Schery Calderon

Santos Eduardo Ramirez Garcia

Yoneisi Perez Bonilla

Yasser Marrero Molinet

Orali Penalver Hermida

Wilber Santa Cruz Hermida

Duniel Medina Rivero

Barbaro Biant Hermida

Raudel Rodriguez Castro

Ivan Jose Isaac Montes

Deivis Adrian Rodriguez Hernandez

Mayke Raido Fraguera Penalver

Yeremi Zamora Reyes

Odin Nuevas Duperry

Yunior Cutino Parodi

Sherrie Silver

Keyla Castellon

Naomy Sanchez

Duannis

Jessi Gutiérrez

Yordan Herrera

Abelardo Oliver

Odesa de los Santos

Carlos Rojas

Dayron Jímenez

Joan Mulet

Jorge Calvaire

Zaida Aymerich

Adrián Cisneros Flores

Mayra Mazorra

Paula Alejandra Llopez Estrada

Sandra Ulloa Lorenzo

Orelmis Betancourt

Yarina Garcia Verrier

Michael Pacino

Yudid Estrada

Jamal Olori

Daniela Lazada Sánchez

Vera Hourani

Stephen Glover

Lauren McElroy

Jason Dotts

Trevor Gates

Adrian Perdomo Rodriguez

Melanie Harris

Traceigh Scottel

Greg Franklin

Paul B. Knox

Eric Binmoeller

Gabriela Latorre

Maylin Zans

Matthew Vidalis

Miguel Ángel Tur

Brandon M. Shaw

Saylem Cuevas Barcia

Jannaissey Perez

Roberto Ordaz

Jesse Kees

Tim McKeown

Matthew Thomas Hall

Nick Jimenez

Grant Miller

Yanet Caboverde Alpizar

Magdalena Alvarez Camaano

Kataia Leyburn Gullien

Barb Cimity

Kaitlin Waldron

Chris Gosling

Gwen Roach

Mark Coffey

Mike Horton

Danial Shimiaei

Walter Spencer

Tony Christopherson

Aleida Maria Benitez Fuentes

Ibra Ake

Fam Udeorji

Juan Carlos Reyes

Jennifer Roth

Mylan Stepanovich

Yoel López Ramírez

Riley Mackin

Ricardo Perez Ramos

David Lebensfeld

Luis Alberto González Garcia

Denise Guerra Rivas

Marco Gabriel Soffi Casanova

Igor Pintado Jaime

Annmarie Roberts

Chris Hoyle

Alyx Jolivet

Reynier Brito Arteaga

Jule Fontana

Brandon Wilson

Adrián Canet Pérez

Angel Denny Brito Mendoza

Michael Fuchs

M.C. Griffin

Kalvin Kulz

Angel Luis Brito Miranda

Bria Jones

Vladimir Martínez

Michael Huang

Justin Watson

Brie E. Henderson

Cody Jacobs

Fernando A. Vega Acosta

Alexei Santiago

Frank Macchia

Adrian Mena Izquierdo

Rebecca Boorsma

Cameron Ross

Clinton Gorham

Mayret Velasquez

Sabrina Joseph

Ahmed Plasencia

Eniola Dawodu

Ricky Gausis

Karel Reguera Márquez

Rosangela Rodriguez

Melissa Belardo

Comedy

Thriller

Music

Guava Island

New Regency Pictures

Six Point Harness

Cuba

United States of America

Charming and poignant, this small, musical tale exudes Donald Glover's artistic integrity.

The Movie Diorama

Guava Island musically enraptures its tropical aesthetic through severe self-indulgence. Donald Glover’s rhythmically-inclined alter-ego, Childish Gambino, is an inspirational talent. A rare find that cements the credibility of the current generation’s ability to produce harmonious tunes with a political trajectory. His “Awaken, My Love!” studio album infused psychedelic funk with soul and hip-hop, while his latest singles “This Is America” and “Summertime Magic” provide insight into his meticulous thought process. He is an artist through and through. So it comes to much astonishment that Guava Island, a miniature film that was clearly targeted at fans of his discography, was unable to find its footing amidst the soothing tropical breeze. A local musician/celebrity attempts to hold a music festival for the oppressed town of Guava Island, albeit ignoring the threatened warnings from the local dictatorial business magnate.

It commenced with an animated folk tale, narrated by the stunningly beautiful Rihanna (“Te Amo”!), describing the origins and current state of Guava Island. Considering the runtime, totalling just under an hour, this method of expressionistic exposition was required to construct the foundations of the basic narrative. Delightful, if somewhat mundane. Murai, in his directorial debut, then proceeds to the live-action bulk with a stylised 4:3 ratio filter equipped with grainy visuals for authenticity. Considering the economic and structural climate of Guava Island, it was immersive and enhanced the world Rihanna lovingly described to us.

Glover goes about his day, carrying his wooden guitar, singing and reinterpreting his latest singles. The infamously abnormal dance moves proceeded with “This Is America” in the middle of a factory. Then it hit me. Guava Island is essentially a “musical” to coincide and/or boost the promotional material of Gambino’s songs. Disagree? Well, he then proceeds to serenade Rihanna with “Summertime Magic” before winning my heart over with “Feels Like Summer”.

A fundamental question then dawned on me. Can the artistic integrity of music be translated effectively to a narrative feature? Perhaps, but Guava Island is not a good example of that. The musical spirit of the island’s residents being suppressed by a totalitarian state is nothing new and, unfortunately, conveyed obviously. The relationship between capitalism and the affected individuals of its grotesque aftermath failed to empower. This is due to Glover’s self-indulgence blurring the clarity of the story. Rihanna’s Kofi and her relationship with Deni is almost non-existent, despite the ‘Romeo & Juliet’ introduction. These characters are so focussed on portraying eccentricity, that the dynamics between them fell flat. Glover’s frequent collaborator and older brother was unable to balance all aspects in such a condensed time constraint within his screenplay. It’s so “to the point” that it loses that flavoursome flair that makes Gambino the artist he is.

That’s not to say the music isn’t catchy and Uzowuru’s rhythmic score won’t make you sway, as the musical aspect will have the biggest effect. The acting is serviceable, even if Glover can’t escape his exaggerated TV tendencies, and Sprenger’s cinematography is sublime. Unfortunately though, Murai’s inability to balance the film and rein in Glover’s overpowering talent taints Guava Island to be a drinkable albeit sour beverage.

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Donald Glover Movie Guava Island Trailer | Prime Video

Guava Island - Clip: Summertime Magic With Donald Glover and Rihanna | Prime Video

Guava Island - Clip: Deni and Kofi | Prime Video