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

In two shots, the Italian flag is shown back to front. On the television, and on the computer monitor the Italian flag is shown as red, white, and green. The colors of the flag are green, white, and red.

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Quotes

Gino Barberini: What can I get for you?
Lina Paventi: My husband has been dead for eighteen years. What I need you can't offer cause you're married.
Gino Barberini: We make special arrangement. What do you say Maria, we help out a friend?
Maria Barberini: [looks at him reproachfully, then turns to Lina] You're better off with your memories.

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Connections

References Dynasty (1981)

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Soundtracks

"Mama"
Written by Harold Barlow / Cesare A. Bixio / Bruno Cherubini
Used by permission of Peermusic International/Peermusic Canada Inc.
Performed by Connie Francis
Courtesy of Universal Records under license from Universal Music Canada

User Reviews

Not for clueless heteros or over-sensitive Italians

This very clever and fun little film has had more off-base reviews written about it than any film in history. Way too many reviewers react with horror at - gasp - stereotypical representations of Italians. They neglect the fact that in actual fact the Italian-ness is 100% of the charm and beauty of the film, and that not one of the Italians are not people we have all seen in real life. They also neglect the fact that Italian culture and tradition has seldom looked so good or as real as it does in "Mambo Italiano." The Italian sister is heroic in her actions, and the Italian parents who come around in he end are just like parents of ANY nationality. I really fail to see what all the squawking about "negative stereotypes" is all about.

As a Southerner and as a gay man I know something about stereotyping. All groups get stereotyped. This is not necessarily a bad thing, unless it is the ONLY representation of a group that society ever sees. We all need to see the true diversity of any group. I think we have all seen plenty of other Italians and gay persons now, so we don't have to worry that a viewer will see this movie and assume that all Italians and gay men are like the folks in "Mambo Italiano." But frankly, if they did, I think they would have rather positive images of Italians. Unfortunately they would leave the theater thinking that half of all gay men get married to women in order to hide the fact that they are gay. Luckily I suspect most folks know this is not the case, though it certainly does happen, since society still makes it impossible for some of us to stay in certain professions and be gay at the same time (cops, firemen, coaches, soldiers in the U.S., pro athletes...).

"Mambo Italiano" is hilarious and light-hearted. It is a big mistake to try to read too much into it. Just sit back, relax, and laugh. It is one heck of a clever, funny little film, with a surprise ending. Betcha can't guess how it ends!