Mambo italiano
Samuel Goldwyn Films | Release Date: September 19, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
41
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews
Positive:
5
Mixed:
15
Negative:
6
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Entertainment WeeklyScott Brown
This is feel-good filmmaking, to be sure, but the culture clash here is more than a meaningless vehicle for fizzy wish fulfillment. The not-unpleasant result is hearty Italian fare with the half-life of Chinese takeout. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Intent on offering viewers a good time yet manages to sneak in considerable substance in a disarming, even old-fashioned manner. Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
So desperately eager to please: Gaudreault doesn't offer much in the way of wit or originality, but he's determined to win us over with sheer enthusiasm. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick Groen
Patterns itself after the Greek model -- that is, more ethnic humour with a contemporary twist. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeJanice Page
No sophisticated dance, but it moves about with an open heart. And hey, it's at least as funny as that Greek thing. Read full review
60
EmpireCaroline Westbrook
Lacks sparkle, and finally tips its gallery of colourful protagonists into the realm of caricature. Read full review
60
VarietyDavid Rooney
The broad comedy is somewhat strained and obvious, and the hyper-real atmosphere encourages the cast to slice the prosciutto a little thickly. But the film's sweet-natured ingenuousness proves reasonably contagious. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Beneath the heavy accents, wild gesticulating, slaps to the head and garish flocked wallpaper, there's an awful lot of heart. Read full review
50
New York PostLou Lumenick
You don't have to be gay or Italian or live in Canada to enjoy Mambo Italiano, but a tolerance for ethnic mugging helps. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleCarla Meyer
A coming-out comedy that mines every cliche of cloistered Italian culture. But like "Greek Wedding," Mambo has enough funny moments to save it. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
Likable but relentlessly trivial. Read full review
50
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
The "Big Fat Wedding" formula dictates a certain amount of ugly-duckling fantasy along with the ethnic scenery chewing. Read full review
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
There are laughs in the movie, and a lot of good feeling, but it seems more interested in its Italian stereotypes than its gay insights. Read full review
50
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Unless you think "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was the height of genius, there's little reason to sit though another version. Read full review
42
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
More than painful to behold, it's simply insincere in a film determined to undermine gay stereotypes. Read full review
40
Village VoiceEd Halter
Old annoying ethnic family stereotypes meet new annoying gay-relationship stereotypes in this candidate for "Kiss Me Guido's" heretofore uncontested niche. Read full review
40
L.A. WeeklyChuck Wilson
More dispiriting than the caricatured Italian families is the sense that, by picture's end, the filmmakers have neutered Angelo, so that his sexual energy is dulled, made non-threatening -- the perfect son after all. Read full review
40
The New York TimesDave Kehr
As Angelo, Mr. Kirby has a boyish charm, which is probably the best that can be said for this film as well. Read full review
40
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
Ethnic and sexual stereotypes receive equally clumsy treatment in this Canadian comedy. Read full review
40
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
If Gaudreault's 90-minute pilot ever makes it to television, French-Canadians can look forward to their own Italian version of A.K.A. Pablo. Read full review
38
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
This film might have been daringly funny 10 years ago, even with its broadest elements intact. Now it's comfortable as old slippers and unthreatening as a sleeping kitten. Read full review
33
Portland OregonianKim Morgan
The script is inane, and though Ferri has some funny moments, the acting is annoying or hopelessly bland. Read full review
30
Dallas ObserverDavid Ehrenstein
If any further indication were needed of the fact that gay has gone mainstream, this flaccid farce provides definitive proof, for it's as forced and unfunny as subpar Sandra Dee. Read full review
25
PremiereAddison MacDonald
Perfectly harmless but by no means cinematic. It is unapologetically vying for the same moviegoers that "Greek Wedding" connected with last summer. Read full review
20
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Lacks that outrageous effrontery that might have socked it to its intended audience. Read full review
20
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
Disappointing flop that is best left off your dance card. Read full review
More From This Movie

41 Critic Reviews

7.7 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL