Mambo italiano (2003)

A very obvious labor of love for all involved
Within minutes of the start of this film, it's obvious what a labor of love that it must have been for all of the parties involved. After all, no one could do work this good without thoroughly enjoying it. And you will, too, I promise! In fact, I don't think I could name a funnier, more perfectly made movie with a gay theme in it, and I've seen them ALL, believe me.

The biggest surprise to me was how much the film could portray ethnic stereotypes so broadly, and maintain such a breakneck pace, without ever wearing out its welcome. Credit for this must go, most of all, to Paul Sorvino who plays the aggrieved father of the young man (whose Coming Out story this is) and Ginette Reno who portrays the mother. Watching the two of them together, pitching and trading their lines with such perfect, lightning fast timing was like seeing an excellent game of tennis, only with huge laughs!

My favorite scene in the whole film comes fairly late, when the parents receive, react to, and debate the best way to respond to the wedding invitation of one of the other characters. I think it was one of the funniest comic scenes I've ever seen in a movie, period--with or without gay subject matter. My very highest recommendations!

Brilliantly funny!
Frst of all, this is NOT My Big Fat Greek Wedding in an Italian context. It's much more about the hilarious consequences of two men coming out of the closet much to the consternation (and conservatism) of everyone else around them. I would rate this move as good as MBFGW. The script is incredibly intelligent and in fact it is precisely the script that carries this movie, not the actors.

Mambo Infuriato
A VERY good movie for any ethnicity. The humor and true to life culture kept the integrity of this movie together. Very well done.