Rum and Coke

Running time: N/A

For years, Linda's ideal man has been one who respects her career and independence and considers everything equal in the relationship. Convenience over love has been her motto. The daughter of Cuban immigrants, she has spent her life denying her Latin heritage. Refusing to salsa dance and date Latin men, she collects American folk art, eats frozen meals, and has just moved in with her gringo boyfriend, Steve. Linda has her life all planned out, that is, until the day a freak accident at work introduces a dashing young Cuban firefighter, Jose, into her life. Linda is hardheaded and a "tough nut to crack." Preferring the safety of a passionless relationship to the emotional dangers of love, Linda is swift to reject Jose's attention. But a firefighter never leaves a woman in danger, even if from herself. It is up to Jose to woo her back to her roots and prove that not all Latin men are like her father, an irresponsible, macho scoundrel. Rum and Coke is a delicious comedy teeming with romance. It proves that life can't truly begin until one accepts who one is. Love is a risk--and so is learning to salsa dance. --Meredith H. Sherter