Mambo italiano (2003)

The son of Italian immigrants to Canada struggles to find the best way to reveal to his parents that he's gay.

Director:

Émile Gaudreault

Writers:

Steve Galluccio (play), Steve Galluccio (screenplay),

Stars:

Luke Kirby, Ginette Reno, Paul Sorvino

14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Luke Kirby	...	Angelo Barberini
Ginette Reno	...	Maria Barberini
Paul Sorvino	...	Gino Barberini
Mary Walsh	...	Lina Paventi
Peter Miller	...	Nino Paventi
Claudia Ferri	...	Anna Barberini
Sophie Lorain	...	Pina Lunetti
Tim Post	...	Peter
Tara Nicodemo	...	Yolanda / Woman in Airplane / Jolene
Pierrette Robitaille	...	Rosetta
Dino Tavarone	...	Giorgio
Mark Camacho	...	Johnny Christofaro
Michel Perron	...	Father Carmignani
Lou Vani	...	Marco
Diane Lavallée	...	Mélanie

Storyline

Angelo Barberini is the oddball son of Italian immigrants Gino and Maria, who inadvertently ended up in Canada rather than the States. Angelo shocks his parents by moving out on his own without getting married, and shocks them further still when he reveals that he's gay. But his boyfriend, policeman Nino Paventi isn't as ready to come out of the closet -- especially not to his busybody mother, Lina.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | italian | immigrant | canada | moving out | 

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Taglines:

Things change. Family doesn't.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexual situations

Details

Official Sites:

official site [ca] (French/English) Official site [uk]

Country:

Canada

Language:

English Italian French

Release Date:

9 October 2003 (Slovenia)

Also Known As:

Mambo olasz módra

Filming Locations:

Le Village Gai, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$305,428 (Germany) (25 June 2004)

Gross:

$305,428 (Germany) (25 June 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinémaginaire Inc., Equinoxe Films, Harold Greenberg Fund, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min 92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both the film and the play (which the film is based upon) are based on Steve Galluccio's own life and experiences.

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Goofs

When Gino and Maria visit the cemetery, Maria says that her sister was 33 when she died, but the dates on the tombstone are 1960-1987, which would make her 27.

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Quotes

Lina Paventi: Oh, Nino... look at this beautiful face! Nice, eh? Now, think of his big, fat mother - because that's the face you're going to end up with!

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Connections

References My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Fear and Love"
Written by Skye Edwards, Paul Godfrey, Ross Godfrey
Chrysalis Songs (BMI)
Performed by Morcheeba
Courtesy of Warner Music Canada LTD.

User Reviews

Funniest film around

This is the one film of the year I would recommend to anyone who wants a good laugh. Ignore the po-faced people who did not enjoy it and prepare yourself for an over-the-top stereotypical portrayal of "chaotic yet serene" ethnics in the wrong province in the wrong country. It is well-scripted and well-edited and the timing of the actors and director never fails. If you want to find out about real gay life or Italian Quebeckers, this is not the film to see; it is just an excellent comedy with plenty of gems - and good comedies are few and far between nowadays.