Mambo Italiano

R

Released Sep 19, 2003

1 hr. 28 min.

Comedy

List

32%

75 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Angelo Barberini (Luke Kirby) lives at home and harbors a secret from his Italian parents, Gino (Paul Sorvino) and Maria (Ginette Reno) : He's gay. Angelo's decision to move out surprises Gino and Maria because they believe that Angelo should only leave home if he's getting married. The trusted few who know the truth are Angelo's older sister, Anna (Claudia Ferri), and his secret crush, Nino (Peter Miller). As Angelo and Nino grow closer, their families get more and more confused.

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Critics Consensus

A broad, shrill comedy that plays like a sitcom.

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Audience Member

The most glorious element of this film was it's ridiculously camp decorand costuming redolent of the 1970's, which I got guilty about enjoying, bout these touches were a thin veneer for a story which didn't fly with any integrity of real gay lives. The script re-itetated all the steretypes of a heterosexual purview where heterosexuality is the template and lens through which the otherness of same sex male relationships ate viewed as fake aberrations doomed for failure or caricature. I find it depressing that every screen writer feels compelled to make all gay relationships non functional and doomed to failure. I enjoyed the music, and there were some mildly comic moments, but the characters lacked any emotional depth thus leaving the audience disinterested in their destinies. I still would love to rob the dressing room of the lead protagonist.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Loved it 15 years ago, love it more even now. I was Luke Kirby's exact age in the film, and I called out that he was an exceptional actor. He's still in the spotlight today, go figure. Bravo!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Even though the plot gets a little jumpy, you can tell a lot of love was put into this movie. Also, I've never seen a movie with a gay Italian guy at the center. It wasn't some sappy love story either, this movie was more realistic than most movies with gay protagonists. Also the characters are pretty charming.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Don't waste your time. It's stereotypical without being funny. I can't believe I watched it to the end. Guess I was hoping for a plot twist or line to justify losing two hours of my life. NOT!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". Italian stereotypes and typical Mediterranean drama synthesize this comedy that still manages to stay true in the heart and show the real problem as it is. It was fun and entertaining and mostly just to its characters. "Mambo Italiano" is a light-hearted comedy, but underneath its funny surface there is a good and clear purpose.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Frances H

Utterly hilarious! Paul Sorvino is greater than ever!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/11/15

Full Review

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Émile Gaudreault

Director

Luke Kirby

Angelo Barberini

Ginette Reno

Maria Barberini

Paul Sorvino

Gino Barberini

Mary Walsh

Lina Paventi

Claudia Ferri

Anna Barberini

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Sheila Norman-Culp

Associated Press

The comic possibilities of Mambo Italiano are mind-boggling. The reality is less so.

Jan 23, 2019

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

BBC.com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 15, 2004

Full Review

Amanda Jane Stern

Film Inquiry

With an entire cast of characters who are not the most likable, and romances that are far from believable, this movie leaves much to be desired.

Sep 8, 2020

Full Review

Betsy Bozdech

DVDJournal.com

Everyone who thought that My Big Fat Greek Wedding went a little easy on the ethnic stereotyping is going to love Mambo Italiano.

Rated: 1.5/4

Oct 29, 2006

Full Review

Anton Bitel

Movie Gazette

Rated: 6/10

Oct 30, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

Angelo Barberini (Luke Kirby) lives at home and harbors a secret from his Italian parents, Gino (Paul Sorvino) and Maria (Ginette Reno) : He's gay. Angelo's decision to move out surprises Gino and Maria because they believe that Angelo should only leave home if he's getting married. The trusted few who know the truth are Angelo's older sister, Anna (Claudia Ferri), and his secret crush, Nino (Peter Miller). As Angelo and Nino grow closer, their families get more and more confused.

Director: Émile Gaudreault
Screenwriter: Émile Gaudreault, Steve Galluccio
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: Cinémaginaire Inc.
Rating: R (Sexual Situations|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 20, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.2M
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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