Mambo Italiano (2003)

Film Title: Mambo Italiano (2003)

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Director: Emile Gaudreault

Two Most Important Member of the Cast: Luke Kirby( Angelo Barberini) and

Peter Miller (Nino Paventi)

Review

[1]The movie is about Angelo Barberini, the oddball son of Italian immigrants Gino and Maria, who inadvertently ended up in Canada rather than the States. He is a gay Italian-Canadian and an aspiring television writer who tries to hide his sexuality from his parents. His folks want to set him up with a nice Italian girl. But, he shocks them by moving out on his own without getting married. He shocks them further when he reveals that he's gay. He moves in with his lover Nino, a childhood friend whom his parents see only as a good roommate for their son. Nino is not as ready to come out of the closet to protect his job being a police officer.

[2]According to the review posted on Bibloi.com, the movie is based on a stage play of the same name and this structure is still shown in the film despite the addition of Technicolor outdoor sets. Further, the conventional set-up could have work well but it does not really work out due to problems with the script and lack of respect for the characters. Similarly, Angelo’s monologue starting the movie feels flat on the film but it could work well within the conventions of the theatre.

[3]In the same way, Frank Scheck (2003) writes in his review for the festival screening of Mambo Italino that ethnic and sexual stereotypes receive clumsy treatment in this comedy movie. He also added that the ending is perhaps appropriate for a stage play. The movie also according to him has its share of problems, setting up things that are not coming, thus leaving the audience feeling somewhat cheated.

[4]On one hand, Bibloi.com reports that one of the good attributes of the movie is the funnier scenes. Some of these involve Angelo’s parents trying to come to grip with their son being a homosexual and with Angelo’s sister, Maria going through therapy and trying her experiences she gained on her clueless brother. Another thing which the movie can be proud of is the characters playing Angelo’s family which according to Bibloi.com are by far the best asset of Mambo Italiano.

[5]Jean Lowerison (2006) agrees with it. According to her, the movie is done with such a good humor that the audience may laugh throughout. Even if it might be offensive or annoying to some, most people may giggle watching the movie , thus forgetting the hard day.

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[1] Internet. (1996-2006). Mambo Italiano (2003). Amazon.com. Retrieved November 8, 2006, from www.amazon.com

[2] Internet. Mambo Italiano (2004). Bibloi.com. Retrieved November 9, 2006, from www.bibloi.com

[3] Scheck, F. (2003, September 22). The festival screening of Mambo Italiano. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 9, 2006, from www.hollywoodreporter.com

[4] Internet. Mambo Italiano (2004). Bibloi.com. Retrieved November 9, 2006, from www.bibloi.com

[5] Lowerison, J. (2006) 'Mambo Italiano' Beckham in Montreal. San Diego Metropolitan Uptown Examiner and Daily Business Report. Retrieved November 9, 2006, from http://metro.sandiegometro.com