SummaryAdapted from the successful play by the same name, the movie explores further the subtleties and complexities of a quintessential Italian family -- a family straddling the cultures, traditions, and mores of the old and new worlds. (Samuel Goldwyn Films)
Directed By:Émile Gaudreault
Written By:Steve Galluccio, Émile Gaudreault
Mambo italiano
Metascore
Mixed or Average
41
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
19% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
58% Mixed
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
23% Negative
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
75
This is feel-good filmmaking, to be sure, but the culture clash here is more than a meaningless vehicle for fizzy wish fulfillment. The not-unpleasant result is hearty Italian fare with the half-life of Chinese takeout.
63
So desperately eager to please: Gaudreault doesn't offer much in the way of wit or originality, but he's determined to win us over with sheer enthusiasm.
50
Unless you think "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was the height of genius, there's little reason to sit though another version.
50
You don't have to be gay or Italian or live in Canada to enjoy Mambo Italiano, but a tolerance for ethnic mugging helps.
40
As Angelo, Mr. Kirby has a boyish charm, which is probably the best that can be said for this film as well.
33
The script is inane, and though Ferri has some funny moments, the acting is annoying or hopelessly bland.
20
Lacks that outrageous effrontery that might have socked it to its intended audience.
User score
Generally Favorable
69% Positive
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
15% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
15% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Feb 24, 2013
4
Mambo Italiano is the story of an Italian immigrant coming out to his old school Italian family. There are some really hysterical lines in this movie, but in general I found the whole thing to have been done. Putting an Italian twist on it, was in theory a good idea, but the whole film just comes across as cliché. The gay stereotypes are outdated and the other F word is thrown around way too much. If you're looking for an original "gay" comedy, watch Sascha Baron Cohen's Bruno, that was a great movie. Mambo Italiano is just a fast moving, sexist nightmare, with the occasional great one liner.
Production Company:
- Cinémaginaire Inc.
- Equinoxe Films
- The Harold Greenberg Fund
Release Date:Sep 19, 2003
Duration:1 h 39 m
Rating:R
Tagline:Things change. Family doesn't.
Awards
Canadian Comedy Awards
• 6 Nominations
Jutra Awards
• 5 Nominations
Mezipatra Queer Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
