[.ca] Mambo Italiano

an interesting topic:
It's true that this is a silly "ethnic" comedy about immigrants and their assimilated offspring, to be watched just for fun. But I still found the topic interesting because it relates to my experience as a North American guy in his 20s in a long-term relationship (in Italy itself) with an Italian guy in his 20s and his very traditional family, whom I got to observe thoroughly. A few times I found the spaghetti-commercial-style stereotypes just too overblown, but a couple of moments I thought "YES, that's how it is!" - especially the hysterical reaction of the family, and the part about living at home until marriage, or (if you're gay) NEVER leaving home. Also the family's efforts to fix Nino and Angelo up with girls as a reaction to their coming out is a fairly common in Italy. Some Italian families actually keep their gay sons or daughters secluded in the home so that the disgrace won't "get out", but that's not as common today. But the 180 degree switch from hiding it to showing it off at the end seemed contrived, but it was the only way to make a happy ending out of what would have been a long, emotional ordeal for a real family. I liked that they kept it a light-hearted comedy instead of letting it deteriorate into sugary sentimentalism or self-important drama. If you have no connection to the subject matter though, it's not a particularly special film but it's not too slow-moving and makes decent light entertainment for an evening.

The night at the Olive Garden is less cheesy than........:
this movie. A cute little play turns into a bland and predictable movie. We can tell by the quick pace of the movie in introducing the characters that we are in for some major plot holes.Angelo(played by Luke Kirby....humm doesn't sound Itailian to me) life is explained in about 5 mins flat and his relationship with Nino( played by Peter Miller) in almost less time.The main plot is Angelo difficulty coming out to his parents and what happens after he tells them. But the main story is a universal "Gay" story. The fear of coming out to your parents.But this movie makes light of something that in real life would have been a major ordeal for a Second generational family.The acting is top notch with Paul Sorvino doing what he's does best(outshining the rest of the cast) is terrific as the "Old World" Italian father who feels God is punishing him for having a Gay son. But for me the story lies flat and perdictable. And I did not like the Gay help line scene where callers with real problem where made to be the butt ( pardon the expression) of some really bad jokes when the Angelo character insults them and even hangs up on one of the callers in the results to get laughs. But this story has been done before on so many levels (ie: "Maurice", "Get Real" even " Billy Elliot")that it looks old and rehashed. We all know halfway into the movie Angelo and Nino relationship will be doomed and the parents will learn to love their Gay son. But I must amit I did laugh a FEW times at the sterotypical antics of the parents."Mambo Itailiano" is far from groundbreaking and highly overratted by some of the reviwers on this site. But if you want to see a cute,shirtless,Itailan hunk(Nino) and get a couple of chuckles laughing at some over the top sterotype jokes. Then this no-brainer movie will pass the time away just fine.

Mambo Italiano tickled my funny bone:
I am a closeted Asian case. I just watched Mambo Italiano and found the movie to be very funny and charming (although there were some Italian stereotypes that seemed bizzarre to me). Everyone involved in this movie must have had a joyous time on the set because the chemistry between them seemed genuine. The lead actors and the supporting cast played their roles wonderfully. I particularly respected the performances of the actors who played the parents of the main character. I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to those who like light comedies and are not too critical of exaggerated stereotypes.

Funny:
This is a very funny movie. Maybe a little one-dimensional and cartoonish, but I think that's part of its comedic style and it works. Anyway it succeeds with its little touching moments too. I specially liked the ending. The acting is satisfying, the actors who play the parents of the main character being the strong point. And it only lasts 90 minutes, wich I always appreciate a lot. The dvd itself shows a great widescreen anamorphic transfer, but I found the lack of extras a little disapointing, I'd have liked a director's commentary.

Academy Award? No. Enjoyable picture? Absolutely:
Let's take 'Mambo Italiano' for what it's worth: a very enjoyable film stocked with a lot of laughs, but also poignant because there's no doubt that the tale has been pulled from the real life experiences of playright Steve Galluccio. While leads Luke Kirby ('Angelo') and Peter Miller ('Nino') don't stand out in any way, it's Paul Sorvino and Ginette Reno as Angelo's parents who will stick with you. Yes, as others have noted, these are highly stereotypical portrayals. But it's Gaulluccio's life and *he* wrote the characters that way. Obviously, he's played it up a bit, but that gives Reno (and especially) Sorvino big meaty roles that they can really sink their teeth into. Watching Paul Sorvino is a treat. He's the kind of guy who could read the phone book to you with panache. I also completely loved Mark Camacho's over-the-top, hilariously profane take as TV exec Johnny Christofaro. In a series of episodes that could again only have been drawn from playright Galluccio's real life experiences, the Christofaro character - in what can best to described as a series of 'friendly' profane explosions - rips into the writer, belittling his work, tearing down his confidence, but then finishing his tirade every time with an upbeat, sincere "How's your Mom?" Once Angelo hits the big time, there's Christofaro on an interview show in a classic exchange, remembering how he always encouraged Angelo to 'never give up' (replete with a series of now characteristic F bombs). Nothing could be further from the truth of course, which is what makes it so funny. Great writing. A hidden gem: look for Galluccio appearing as 'himself' (in a way) - he's the 'TV version' of Angelo in the sitcom-within-the-movie.