TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

Solidrariol Am I Missing Something?

Grimossfer Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Roy Hart If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Lechuguilla Energetic Latin rhythms and dramatic conflict permeate this story of two Cuban brothers, mambo musicians, who leave Havana in 1952 and go to New York in search of success. But success means different things to each.To Cesar (Armand Assante), extroverted and materialistic, it means international stardom. To Nestor (Antonio Banderas), sensitive and artistic, success means managing a small club where the music is good and customers enjoy themselves. Cesar, somewhat domineering, drags Nestor along to conform to Cesar's definition of success. And romantic interests complicate the overall plot, en route to a poignant ending.The way the script is written one would think the story was based on fact, especially given the "I Love Lucy" and Desi Arnaz sequence. But the story is fictional, based on a novel. Still, the film could be construed thematically as a kind of archetype story of immigrants who migrate to America to pursue the 1950s American dream.Casting is okay. But Armand Assante overplays his role as Cesar, a character who is not terribly sympathetic. The result is a performance that grates a bit much. Banderas' performance seems more natural, less contrived.Cinematography trends a bit dark. Though the story is superficially upbeat, the tone conveys a dark undercurrent. And colors correspond to moods of various scenes. Production design, costumes, and sets are lavish. Celia Cruz adds zest as a Latin diva."The Mambo Kings" is something of a period piece, a "come-to-America" success story more fashionable in previous decades. Maybe that's why the story didn't really interest me. But it's a well-made film, one that will be enjoyed by the right audience.

icreeem First, I am a professional drummer whose interest in this film was only ignited by with the knowledge that the genius Tito Puente makes an appearance, and even better, shares a solo with the star. That aside, the rest of the movie is a favorite of mine, especially the fantastic, contagious personality of Cesar, superbly played by Assante...you grow to love this rogue of a man almost instantly. His constant laughter is just a hint of how rascally a businessman/band leader and devoted brother he is. The music is no less contagious, and I find myself interested in Salsa and Mambo music all the more because of this entertaining film. My one complaint is that the above-mentioned solo between Puente and Assante is interrupted by gangland violence, just at the moment when everyone is getting into the spirit! Other than that, it was brilliantly casted and acted. A great look at the way of the entertainment business in the early 1950's, especially for hopeful immigrants like the Castillo Brothers. Excellent!

Acapulqueno A better than average re-hash of the standard "rags-to-riches" formula: two Cuban musicians go to New York and overcome great hardships to find success as "The Mambo Kings." Spanish speakers, who might otherwise be a receptive audience, find it strange to watch two attractive but very white guys -- one French (Armand Assante) and one Spanish (Antonio Banderas) -- pretending to be Cuban without even trying for a Cuban accent. Even Desi Arnaz, Jr., playing his father, has a pronounced English accent. Linda Ronstadt, by contrast, does a wonderful job on Perfidia, but that song is only used as background music.The incomparable Celia Cruz, whose life is a genuine Cuban rags-to-riches story, has a small part, but is mostly limited to singing in English except for a bit of the classic "Guantanamera". It's too bad the producers didn't decide to film her story instead: at least she, her music and her speech are all genuine Cuban.

george.schmidt THE MAMBO KINGS (1992) *** Armand Assante, Antonio Banderas, Cathy Moriarty, Maruschka Detmers, Desi Arnaz Jr. Flamboyant and fun watching film about two immigrant Cuban brothers in 1950s NYC trying to make the big time with their style and music. Banderas is particularly good as the heartbroken younger sibling and the soundtrack is memorably poignant and lavish set designs as well.