Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Warm, funny dance romcom has language, sexual references.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Cuban Fury
What's the Story?
As a kid, Bruce was a champion salsa dancer ... until the night some bullies beat him up before a big competition and he quit. As an adult, Bruce (Nick Frost) no longer dances. He works as a mild-mannered engineer, riding a fold-up bicycle to work and putting up with his vulgar, tactless co-worker, Drew (Chris O'Dowd). When a pretty new supervisor, Julia (Rashida Jones), arrives at the office, Bruce develops a shy crush, but Drew also starts putting his moves on her. Fortunately, Bruce discovers that she likes to salsa. Can he get his groove back in time? And, more importantly, will he be doing it for the right reasons?
Is It Any Good?
This seems like a sure bet for a good date movie. Based on an idea by Frost, CUBAN FURY is a much more mainstream movie than fans of his cult-fave collaborations with Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, The World's End, etc.) might expect. But though it's all very familiar, and every element is firmly in place, the movie also has plenty of warm, tingly energy and many genuine laughs, not to mention some great, exciting dance sequences.
Cuban Fury smartly allows its main character to rediscover salsa dancing as a way to find strength, rather than merely as a way to win the girl. (It forgoes the usual "lie plot" involved in most romantic comedies.) And Jones plays Julia with plenty of brains and wit; she's not just eye candy. Character actor Kayvan Novak easily walks away with most of the movie's laughs, giving the kind of performance that made Melissa McCarthy a star in Bridesmaids. As an extra treat, Frost's dancing is truly amazing!
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way the main character in Cuban Fury deals with bullies, both in his childhood and as an adult. When and how does he find himself free from them? Could he have handled them in other ways?
Which male characters use the most sexual innuendo, and how does their talk compare to their actual relationships with women? What does that say about them?
Why do you think the characters drink as much as they do? Do they appear to enjoy it? Are there other reasons?
Does Cuban Fury make you want to take up dancing? If so, for what reasons? Fun? Building confidence? Meeting people?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 11, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : July 29, 2014
- Cast : Nick Frost , Chris O'Dowd , Rashida Jones
- Director : James Griffiths
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Entertainment One
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Arts
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and sexual references
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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