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The Mambo Kings (R, 1992)

common sense media says

Cuban brothers bring dazzling music to NYC.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there are several scenes of explicit sexuality with total nudity, and other incidents with partial nudity. Characters smoke and drink throughout, with one character drinking to excess on a number of occasions. One volatile brother is the victim of a knife-wielding villain who, in a close shot, cuts his throat and leaves him for dead. Other violent moments include a nightclub shooting and a fatal car accident.

Positive messages: The movie stays true to the Latin-American "macho" culture of the 1950s. The honorable heroes make a sincere effort to keep their distance from gangsters who have a chokehold on the New York nightclubs. Women are seen as little more than objects of desire in most instances.
Violence: Man is attacked with knife, his throat is cut; he's bloodied but survives. Girl punches obnoxious customer. Shooting, knifing in a nightclub. Deadly car accident.
Sex: Several scenes of passionate lovemaking with total nudity; one scene with partial nudity.
Language: Minor cursing on a few occasions: "son-of-a-bitch," "ass," "whore," "hell."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Smoking and drinking throughout; lead character is drunk in a number of scenes.
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More on The Mambo Kings

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how the Castillo brothers' lack of communication and/or miscommunication hurt their relationship. How did the movie's music reflect the character of the brothers?

The filmmakers carefully created a certain look for this movie. How did the use of bright colors, vivid lighting, and authentic 1950s sets help them evoke a sense of time, place, and character?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The talented, passionate Castillo brothers, known as The Mambo Kings, leave their native Cuba to find fame and fortune in New York City. Nestor (Antonio Banderas) is the quiet one still yearning for Maria, the woman he left behind. Cesar (Armand Assante), the tightly-wound ladies' man, is the center of attention wherever he goes. Fighting the demons of their souls, as well as the gangsters who run the Latin nightclubs of the city, the Castillos work hard, perform their dynamic music, and find love and sorrow in their new country.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The music is soulful and vibrant. The throbbing heart of the Latin culture in 1950s New York permeates every scene in this uniquely colorful, beautifully photographed and designed movie. The tale, however, is familiar. Gifted, but self-destructive artists with dreams of greatness let their fragile spirits defeat them. And there's nothing subtle about this film, even when the story calls for it. While Banderas makes a dazzling American debut, Assante's performance, along with a number of other actors, is obvious and over the top.

Still, the movie is worth seeing for the music, the dancing, and the heartfelt attempt to recreate an authentic picture of this transplanted Cuban culture.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Arne Glimcher
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Armand Assante, Cathy Moriarty
Genre: Drama
Run time: 104 minutes
Theatrical release: February 28, 1992
DVD release: August 16, 2005
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: for sensuality
This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
 
 

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