Calle 54 | Telescope Film
Calle 54

Calle 54

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  • Spain,
  • France,
  • Italy,
  • Mexico,
  • Belgium
  • 2000
  • · 105m

Director Fernando Trueba
Cast Michel Camilo, Tito Puente, Arturo O'Farrill
Genre Documentary, Music

A musical journey capturing the heart and soul of jazz from Miami to Andalusia to Havana and beyond. Performances by the biggest stars in Latin Jazz reveal how their music serves as a platform for storytelling, protest, sexuality, and life itself.

Stream Calle 54

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What are critics saying?

100

Rolling Stone by Peter Travers

A landmark musical tribute.

100

Variety by David Stratton

Looks and sounds wonderful, and while more information about these giants of African-Latin music might have been welcome, the music's the thing.

90

Washington Post

This is one fan's valentine to the music he loves. It just happens that the fan is a terrific filmmaker and the music loves him back -- and we get to see it and hear it all. What a treat.

90

L.A. Weekly by Hazel-Dawn Dumpert

Trueba reveals his subject organically, letting the music speak for itself.

90

Washington Post by Fernando Gonzalez

This is one fan's valentine to the music he loves. It just happens that the fan is a terrific filmmaker and the music loves him back -- and we get to see it and hear it all. What a treat.

90

Wall Street Journal by Joe Morgenstern

A magnificent concert film of Latino jazz.

90

The New York Times by A.O. Scott

Even better on a second viewing because the film is such a pure expression of the director's love for the music, a love so infectious it should leave you elated.

90

Mr. Showbiz by Kevin Maynard

A must-see for avid fans and a welcome primer for nascent hip-shakers everywhere.

89

Austin Chronicle by Marrit Ingman

The result is total immersion in the moment of the music, sure to send jazz fans over the moon.

88

USA Today by Mike Clark

The result is almost enough to make an audience levitate.

88

Chicago Tribune by Michael Wilmington

Scene after scene in Calle 54 just knocks you out.

80

TV Guide Magazine by Steve Simels

This is one of the most infectiously joyous celebrations of musicmaking ever committed to film. See it and be ennobled.

75

San Francisco Chronicle by Bob Graham

It is a spellbinding hour and 45 minutes of pure music, Latin jazz to be specific.

63

Philadelphia Inquirer by Carrie Rickey

Trueba's movie is nearly undone by its shapelessness. Because the filmmaker imposes little in the way of form (or drama) on his subject, his film is a good listen without being a particularly good watch.

60

Salon by Charles Taylor

Calle 54 doesn't have that coherence or vision of the "Buena Vista Social Club."