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Amos Lassen wrote on 02/20/2011:

“Mambo Italiano”
Pure Entertainment
Amos Lassen
In “Mambo Italiano” Angelo Barberini is the weird son of Italian immigrants, Gino and Maria who find themselves in Canada instead of the United States. Angelo gives his parents a shock when he decides to move out of the house, something most Italian children do only after they are married. But that is a small shock compared to the one he gives them when he tells them that he is gay. His boyfriend, a policeman, Nino Paventi is not so ready to swing open his closet door; especially since his mother is such a busybody. Life would be so easy for the guys if the parents were not involved. Angelo’s go almost crazy when he comes out. This is a zany comedy complete with oddball characters, witty dialog and lots of humor.
“Mambo Italiano” is a very clever little film. However in order to enjoy the film for what it is, you must overlook the stereotypical representations of Italians as pictured here. Somehow the makers of the film did not mention nor show that Italians give the film all of its charm and beauty.
The characters and situations shown in the movie are credible and very funny but they cannot be accepted for Italians as a whole. The stereotypical representations of Italians are just that—stereotypical representations and should not be interpreted to be anything more than that. In the movie they are not offensive but rather delightful. Angelo (Luke Kirby) as just enough humor but more than enough heart to make his character believable. The movie focuses on his journey of self discovery in relation to his family, to his partner and to his own self and sexuality.
The end of the film leaves you with a good feeling. Sometimes we need a movie in which everything turns out alright in the end to remind us how much fun life can really be.
Here is the story of gay guys who have repressive families and how the guys face the pressures of coming out. All is depicted for the sake of a laugh or two and it works. With the stereotypical portrayals of an ethnic group in the wrong place at the wrong time, we indeed get something to laugh about. The script is well written, the editing is excellent and the actors and the director hit all the right angles.
Angelo’s trails and tribulations are hilarious as he strives to find that inner voice as a writer while everything around him is both earthbound and mundane. The issue of gayness is dealt with by tactfulness and humility—these are rare qualities to find in movies that are supposedly pro-gay. Angelo is a man who likes men but he is also a man who feels pain. He loves and he has desires and he is not just a stereotype. He struggles with his identity just as his partner does—just as we all do.
The movie has many more strengths than limitations. It has moments of humor and it has some very dark moments but all in all it chooses to tell a story with humor and in that it is highly successful.

Musss7 wrote on 10/13/2007:

At first, I don't expect too much by watching this movie but then... after one by one scene I realised that the story became more and more interesting. I couldn't wait to watch it till the end. One thing I like about this movie is the emotion put by the actors on their roles. All of the actors are really good and played their character well. The story made me laughs and cry but one thing I will not forget, the values from this movie. Although our family is not perfect (and maybe freak), but they are the one who we really need the most to support our decisions in life. Personally, I really enjoyed watching Mambo Italiano over and over again and I even asked some of my friends to watch it too. Guest what? They like it too... Two thumbs up from me!

natalscar wrote on 10/14/2004:

I reluctantly purchased this movie after reading several reviews from multiple sources. I knew it didn't have the ending i always like to see but many reviewers commented on how funny and gay positive it was. Ultimately I think the actors did an average job but the story was just too depressing for me and there was definitely not enough dialogue and scenes to get "you" invested into the two main characters. At the end I basically felt like I just had blueberry cotton candy--when you take your first bite, you think oohh this is going to be tasty and yummy but by the time your halfway thru, you realize you feel just as empty as before and the flavor was never as good as you thought. The bottom line is that if you want a see a frilly movie that makes you subtly grin on occasion but ultimately leaves you feeling cheated and doesn't really flesh out it's characters, just try and rent it or watch it on cable cause it's certainly not worth the purchase. It's like Will & Grace if it had gay people.....wait, no it's just like that show..ugh.

John Nail (tojonail@bellsouth.net) wrote on 07/05/2004:

This cute, lighthearted romantic comedy is definitely deserving of all the "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" comparisons, from its explorations of growing up with immigrant parents to its frothy tone. "Mambo" even has a similar look to "My Big Fat..." Thought one of the characters was deserving of more of a cumuppance than what he got, but that's a minor complaint. After seeing "Mambo Italiano" and other gay romantic comedies (like "Trick"), I want to know where I can find the portal to this alternate universe where gym-built hunks routinely go after quirky guys with average physiques. Would Gino really go after a guy who won't even take his shirt off in bed? Well, it is a fantasy... and one worth seeing, nonetheless.

N/A (djbrns@hotmail.com) wrote on 06/28/2004:

I thought this was by far the most creative movie I've seen since My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The whole Italian culture is strange if it really is like it is displayed in the movie. How dare Nino not confront his fears! Shame! Anyway, Angelo, his sister Anna, and his parents were truly funny. No other cast could've been more perfect for the script and the movie. I hope they decide on a sequel of some sort. A Hit deserves to be reborn again.