One would be hard-pressed to say that Andy Garcia hasn’t had an illustrious career. With over 100 IMDb credits to his name and various award nominations (in particular for his role in The Godfather Part III), Garcia has cemented his name in Hollywood.
Garcia has been in many high profile movies over his career, including Ocean’s Eleven, the aforementioned Godfather movie, and The Untouchables. However, he has also given his talent to various documentaries. Many of these documentaries have had to do with Latin America (specifically Cuba) and how the subjects influenced his life and Cuban heritage.
10 That Click (7.4)
This documentary captures the life of famed photographer Douglas Kirk, who showed the world over six decades of pop culture through his camera lens. One of his first major assignments was to follow and document Coco Chanel through her process. Since then, he has photographed hundreds of celebrities, been present on many film sets, and has left his mark on the world of photography.
The movie includes many interviews by celebrities who have worked with Kirk, including Andy Garcia. In an interview with The Hollywood News, director Luca Severi said that the most interesting thing about Kirk had nothing to do with the equipment, but the relationship he built with his subjects.
9 City Island (7.4)
Andy Garcia plays prison guard Vince Rizzo in this comedy. When he discovers that his illegitimate son, Tony, is a prisoner at his workplace, he pulls some strings to get Tony out and brings him into his home as hired help. Additionally, Rizzo has to deal with the other dysfunctional members of his family.
The movie has received generally positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes praised Raymond De Felitta’s direction and that it was “abetted by Andy Garcia and an excellent ensemble cast.”
8 Cubamerican (7.5)
Andy Garcia contributes his life story to this documentary about Cuba and the mass exile of Cubans escaping from communism. Many other high-profile Cuban Americans provide their stories of leaving Cuba to make a new life for themselves in the United States.
Hans Morgenstern from Miami New Times commented that the conversations had throughout the movie “are thoughtful and sometimes philosophical, but they are most often moving,” referring to the suffering that comes with adapting to a completely new culture.
7 The Godfather: Part III (7.6)
The third movie in The Godfather trilogy looks into the later years of Michael Corleone and his regrets about how he attained his power. More tragedy befalls the family when Vincent Mancini (played by Andy Garcia), Michael’s illegitimate nephew, joins the family business.
The movie’s reviews were mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes criticizing the movie’s “underwhelming performances and confused tonality.” Despite the mixed reviews, the movie was nominated for many awards, including Andy Garcia’s nomination for an Academy Award.
6 Ocean’s Eleven (7.7)
This comedy heist features George Clooney as Danny Ocean, a thief who proposes a plan to his business partner, Rusty Ryan, to rob three major casinos in Las Vegas. Andy Garcia plays Terry Benedict, the owner of the three casinos.
Rotten Tomatoes praised the movie as “fast-paced, witty, and entertaining as it is star-studded and coolly stylish.” Referring to the pacing, Newsweek said that the movie “bounces along with finger-snapping high spirits.”
5 The Untouchables (7.9)
Brian De Palma helms this movie set in the Prohibition era that follows Federal Agen Elliott Ness as he tirelessly pursues Al Capone. Coming up against rampant corruption in the police department, he assembles a special team and takes on the notorious gangster himself. Andy Garcia plays police academy recruit, George Stone, who joins Ness on his mission.
The movie has gotten mainly positive reviews from critics. The New York Times called it “vulgar, violent, funny, and sometimes breathtakingly beautiful.”
4 The Savoy King: Chick Webb And The Music That Changed America (8.1)
This documentary gives the audience insight into drummer and big band leader, Chick Webb, as well as others in the Harlem Savoy Ballroom scene in the 1930s. Andy Garcia provides the voice for jazz musician, Mario Bauza.
It covers how Webb broke racial barriers and gained immense popularity in Harlem’s only integrated nightclub. BostonArtDiary describes the movie as a “labor of love as a tribute to the Savoy and to the great musicians, dancers, and impresarios who gave it life.”
3 I Ain’t Scared Of You: A Tribute To Bernie Mac (8.2)
This tribute to late comedian Bernie Mac traces his beginnings from the underground comedy clubs in Chicago to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood movies. Through anecdotes and clips from his movies and TV appearances, the documentary gives an insight into how much he meant to his co-stars, family, and friends.
Hollywood Soapbox comments on the style of the documentary, saying that “These aren’t eulogies for Mac, but fond memories of a good man with a killer sense of humor.”
2 Celia: The Queen (8.3)
This documentary covers the life and longlasting legacy of salsa queen, Celia Cruz. It follows her life from her popularity in the music scene in Cuba to her newfound popularity in America when she arrived in 1960. Her music became eternally associated with Cuba, although her music was banned in the country.
In addition to her fans, many celebrities (including Andy Garcia) were interviewed about the impact her music had on their careers and their lives. Audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes called it “a really enjoyable documentary about the life and times of Celia Cruz.”
1 Cachao: Uno Mas (8.5)
This documentary focuses on the life of Israel Lopez “Cachao,” one of the most influential Afro-Cuban musicians of all time. The movie follows Lopez’s life from his humble beginnings in Cuba to international fame. Many of his musical collaborators, including Andy Garcia, are interviewed throughout the movie, as well as featured in a tribute concert in San Francisco.
Variety’s Dennis Harvey comments on Andy Garcia’s enthusiasm for “Cachao’s” music, recounting how he “plays bongos upfront in a loud pink shirt, versus the other musicians’ conservative attire.”
