Coming out of the closet may never be easy, and MAMBO ITALIANO takes a comedic look at why it may be even harder for first generation Italian-Canadians. Angelo (Luke Kirby), son of Italian immigrants, realizes at a young age he's gay, and so does everyone else in his Montreal elementary school. Yet somehow his family remains in the dark. After thirty years of living at home with his naive parents (Ginette Reno, Paul Sorvino) and garish sister Anna (Claudia Ferri), Angelo decides to get his own apartment. A burglary re-acquaints Angelo with Nino, his childhood friend (Peter Miller), now a hardbody twentysomething cop. Nino and Angelo quickly fall in love and Nino moves in, but they decide to keep it a secret from their families. After a disastrous dinner party, chaos ensues, sending Angelo and Nino into a vortex of identity politics. The film's colorful sets stand out, decorated with ostentatious wall patterns that reflect Anna's Fendi-esque wardrobe and the bright hues of the landscape. The film exaggerates other various Italian-immigrant stereotypes for comedic effects, but works hard to earn endearing moments of family loyalty, self-searching, and love.
Theatrical Release: SEPTEMBER 19, 2003 (LIMITED)
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Audio:
Dolby 5.1 - English
Story
Steve Galluccio: Story, MAMBO ITALIANO (2003)
Director of Photography
Serge Ladouceur: Director of Photography, MAMBO ITALIANO (2003)
Review 1:
"...This is feel-good filmmaking..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.75 09/26/2003
Review 2:
"...MAMBO ITALIANO is intent on offering viewers a good time yet manages to sneak in considerable substance in a disarming, even old-fashioned manner..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C8 09/19/2003
Review 3:
"...There are laughs in the movie, and a lot of good feeling..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.37 10/17/2003
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