Mambo Italiano
by Emile Gaudreault
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ginette Reno, Luke Kirby, Mary Walsh, Paul SorvinoDirector: Emile Gaudreault
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.85:1
Running Time: 89 minutes
Published: 2004-02-01
DVD Release Date: 2004-02-17
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Mambo Italiano
Movie Review: Mambo No. 1
Summary: 5 Stars
Gay Italians coming out of the closet? Dysfunctional Italian families? Sound all too familiar? Well, what surprised me the most about Mambo Italiano was its uniqueness and originality. Granted, there is nothing new under the sun, but Mambo combines elements of Maurice (gay men trapped by social convention), Moonstruck (Italians in love), and even The Way We Were (unrequited love) in a manner that is fresh and fun. Billed as a comedy (and funny, indeed), Mambo never forgets its fundamental and powerful messages: the importance of family, of being oneself, and of fighting social convention.Angelo, our lovable lead, grew up in a stereotypical Italian family. At school, he is taunted for being a "fag" and even abandoned by his best friend Nino. At that point, his only joy in life is his Aunt Yolanda. Years later, he becomes a travel agent and does what no single Italian does: move out of his parents' home. By chance Nino, now a hunky policeman, re-enters his life. Nino moves in with Angelo and they become lovers. The conflict begins because Angelo does not want to stay in the closet and live a lie. Nino prefers the closet. Angelo tells his parents what is going on and all hell breaks loose.
In comedies, I always expect the happy ending. But Mambo instead follows the path of Maurice and The Way We Were. In The Way We Were, we know Streisand is madly in love with Redford, but we're never quite sure if Redford feels the same way for Streisand. The same is true of Angelo and Nino. Angelo is head over heels over Nino, but we're never quite sure how Nino feels for Angelo. Remember the final encounter between Redford and the teary-eyed Streisand? I did when I saw the final scene between Nino and Angelo.
In short, I recommend this movie. Well-acted, funny, moving, and realistic, it is a worthy addition to any DVD collection (not just the gay man's).
Summary of Mambo Italiano
Set in the Little Italy neighborhood of Montreal, "Mambo Italiano" is a fresh and enjoyable take on gay relationships. After reconnecting with an estranged childhood friend, Angelo (Luke Kirby) discovers that he and Nino (Peter Miller) have more in common than just their Italian heritage and suffocating families. After they move in together, Angelo finds that he can't stand being in the closet any longer--but Nino, who's a cop and much more attached to passing as straight, resists. After Angelo tells his parents (Ginette Reno and Paul Sorvino), their lives explode and Angelo discovers that coming out may cost him everything he held dear. The emphasis on ethnic humor threatens to turn "Mambo Italiano" into "My Big Gay Italian Wedding", but the clever writing, sprightly performances, and inventive direction keep the movie consistently unpredictable and funny. Also featuring Claudia Ferri as Angelo's neurotic sister. "--Bret Fetzer"
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