Review of Mambo Italiano

Introduction

I really liked this movie. Despite the obvious stereotyping of both Italians and gays, it was thoroughly enjoyable. I suspect that members of both these communities would also thoroughly enjoy it - with gay Italians possibly enjoying it most of all.

So why be so forgiving about the stereotyping? Well, mainly because in both cases it eventually becomes a touchingly affectionate portrayal, and in today`s market, that`s becoming a really unusual quality.

On its 2003 release it seemed like a bandwagon-jumping `Big Fat Greek Wedding` type movie - and therefore to be avoided. But this Canadian social-comedy is surprisingly good.

Based on the semi-auto-biographical hit play of the same name by Steve Galluccio, it`s the story of how a young gay Italian, still living with his parents and older sister, can begin to live an honest life `out of the closet`.

In truth, it`s probably less a movie about gay issues than it is about Italian culture - where machismo and the opinions of others reign supreme. It`s a film about honesty winning out over falsehood - and in that respect you could put it comfortably into the `feel good` movie category too.

The film is very knowingly written, played and directed with a fine cast giving some hilariously comedic performances, nicely counterbalanced with some serious thought-provoking compassion.

Angelo (Luke Kirby) is a young man in his mid-twenties who is still living at home with his overbearing Italian parents (played brilliantly by Ginette Reno and Paul Sorvino) and neurotic older sister (Claudia Ferri). Working in a thankless corporate travel agency, he harbours aspirations to become a TV writer - a fact that, when announced at his graduation, nearly sends his parents to an early grave.

But that`s not all. Angelo, who was bullied at school and called a `fag`, is also gay. When he meets up with old school friend Nino (Peter Miller), a good-looking cop, and also part of the Montreal Italian community, they fall in love and decide to set up home together.

All`s fine until Angelo decides it`s time to break out of the closet, against Nino`s wishes.

Nino then decides, after taking plenty of stick from working colleagues and his over-bearing mother, that he would prefer to deny his instincts and go back to dating women, and in particular a wealthy but spiteful Italian woman (Sophie Lorain).

There are some great moments throughout, including a scene where the proud parents decide to make a virtue of their son`s `gayness` to get one up on Nino`s mum. `No one is more gay than our son!`.

Video

The transfer is of a very high quality with the films vibrant choice of colours reflecting the lively larger than life feel of the family scenes, all reproduced beautifully here.

There is some clever, clearly well thought through and storyboarded cinematography here with unusual angles and composition that create a very stylish looking picture - all reflected well in this first-class transfer.

Audio

5.1 Dolby Digital and 2.0 Dolby stereo options. I opted for the 5.1 which was generally fine though the dialogue was a little lost on pre-set. This was easily fixed by nudging the volume up on the centre speakers. Though the surround was workman-like, there was little in the way of isolated effects or music to the rear.

Features

A standard but not un-pleasing bundle here.

First, the de rigueur trailer. Pretty pointless as you`ve just bought / rented the movie.

Next up, `Working on Mambo Italiano - cast and crew interviews` is exactly what it says on the tin. The cast and crew seem a likable and unpretentious bunch who seem to have thoroughly enjoyed making the movie.

`Deleted and Extended Scenes` include two short scenes cut from the final picture as well as a scene that has been shortened for the theatrical release. `Nino at the Post Office` is a scene where the couple overhear some homophobia in a post office queue- and react to it. `Construction Site` is an interesting pivotal scene that shows Nino catch the eye of his bride to be`s cousin who`s working on their new house. It`s an interesting scene as it`s apparent that Nino is still decidedly gay - that he knows it, his wife to be knows it, and that others know it. In the movie, we are never entirely sure - though I think the decision to leave out this rather unsubtle scene was the right one. Finally - `Family catastrophe` is an extended version of the gloomy `your life is worthless` sequence. (Once you`ve watched the movie, you`ll know which bit I mean…).

Finally, there are some out-takes which, on balance, are less funny than the movie. We see Nino get a shirt stuck over his head, as well as a number of lines being fluffed. (On movie sets, the only people who find fluffing lines even remotely funny are the actors themselves. Everyone else would rather get the job done.).

Conclusion

`Mambo Italiano` could well be the surprise comedy release of the year. It`s a really enjoyable feel-good movie with some superb performances, and a nice mix of humour and pathos.
It`s a fast-moving, thoroughly engaging film which, if the style of cinematography and acting never quite lets you suspend disbelief entirely, will give you a couple of hours of first-class entertainment.

Of course some may object to the gross stereotyping of all the main characters. But I suspect that it may well appeal most to those who would have the right to take offence - recognising traces of reality in these over the top portrayals.

Of course, I can`t speak on their behalf, but for myself - I enjoyed this little known-movie far more than I thought I would. Recommended!