Rating: 
Summary: Mama mia, what went wrong?!?
Review: To be completely honest I didn't know what to expect when I first popped MAMBO ITALIANO into my DVD player, but I did expect a film with much more substance and sincerity than what was delivered. The premise of MAMBO ITALIANO is nothing new: a young man, Angelo, comes out of the closet to his family when they realize that his "roommate" is so much more than just someone who helps contribute to the cable bill. However, to add a spin Angelo comes from a quintessential Italian family who is less than sympathetic or understanding to his lifestyle. His mother and father are the stereotypical high-strung, overly emotional Italian parents who want their son to meet their expectations and be a good reflection on their Italian neighbors and friends. But unfortunately this came off as flat and tiring. Been there, done that. Furthermore, it is apparent that whomever wrote this screenplay has no inkling, let alone personal experiences, of coming out of the closet or being gay. I found many scenes and dialogue to be outright ridiculous and contrived. The inclusion of the gay village that Angelo visits for the first time and his insistence that he has nothing in common with "them" is hilarious, but not in the manner which it was intended. One would think that he would have had some exposure to gay culture, whether directly or unintentional, to be more educated and acclimated. To add insult to injury the entire sequence where Angelo volunteered at the gay teen hotline is ridiculous. Angelo and Nino's relationship is as cold as my freezer, and just not believable in any context. In addition, the laughs were few and far between. MAMBO ITALIANO is an ethnic comedy that went sour and has little redeeming value. I don't mean to rip this movie apart, but it's just so bad.
Rating: 
Summary: Bothered by Stereotypes????
Review: To the reviewer who wrote:The thing that bothered me was that the movie tried hard to be Italian! Over-the-top performances by the parents were at times embarrassing to even watch on the screen. You obviously have not been raised in a Sicilian Family. Believe, me. That was my family and every Sicilian family in our small Pennsylvania town that was 80% Sicilian. Everything was catastropic....but, God, was there Love and Food. "Eat, you will feel better!"
| 
