The fact the musicians in Buena Vista Social Club - Wim Wenders' tribute to the rediscovered Cuban artists - emerge as spirited and funny individuals is a stunning testament to their talent and vibrancy. You'll want to go out and buy the Grammy award-winning album of the same name, produced by Ry Cooder, and race home to listen to it again.

But these aged musicians, found by Cooder in Cuba (one, Ibrahim Ferrer (above), the country's Nat King Cole, was working as a shoeshine man), almost struggle against Wenders' super-stylised documentary to shine through. Shot mostly in Havana with two hand-held digital cameras, this work is visually repetitive to the point of almost obscuring the subject matter. Time and time again Wenders cuts away from a song or a story for his camera to circle endlessly around derelict buildings and rooms in Havana: an interesting move the first time out, but annoying by the end.

Wenders also restricts access to the music - or, at least, full songs. If you're half aware of the musicians, or at least of their inspirational stories, this will initially prove frustrating. But Buena Vista Social Club members finally emerge victorious, especially by their showcase Carnegie Hall performance. When Wenders finally allows them unobstructed screen time, the effect is almost magical - apart from Ferrer, there's pianist Ruben Gonzalez, 80 and complaining of arthritis, the over-90 Compay Segundo, and singer Omara Portundo together on stage for a joyful finale. And despite the cool hand on the tiller, this documentary ultimately rocks.

Buena Vista Social Club is screening at Broadway Cinematheque and Cine-Art House.