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Jan.2, 2005 - Jan.9, 2005 |
Italo nuttiness meets gay sensibilities
Italian-Canadian playwright Steve Galluccio's Mambo Italiano debuts on the big screen
By Angela Baldassarre
Originally Published: 2003-09-21
Comparisons to My Big Fat Greek Wedding are inevitable, but Mambo Italiano is certainly less earnest than Nia Vardalos' surprise sleeper. Based on the Steve Galluccio's hit play, Emile Gaudreault's Mambo Italiano is a Canadian gem that is certain to delight audiences.
Instead of cross-cultural differences, Mambo Italiano tackles the issue of homosexuality in the traditional Italian-Canadian family. Angelo (Luke Kirby) has had a hard time growing up with overbearing parents (Paul Sorvino, Ginette Reno) and neurotic sister (Claudia Ferri). His gay tendencies are suddenly brought into focus when he runs into old boyhood friend Nino (Peter Miller), who soon becomes his lover and eventual "roommate." The proverbial manure hits the fan when Angelo comes out to his parents, thrusting the entire Italo-Montreal neighbourhood into a tailspin.
Tandem talked to playwright Steve Galluccio about Mambo Italiano.
The film dispels the stereotypes of the unforgiving Italian parents. That's really refreshing.
"I'm glad you're saying that, because there are some non-Italians who look at the movie and say, 'Do you think the characters are too exaggerated?' And I'm going, No, no, no, no, That's just the way Italians are, the way we react to things. It's like we are great reactors. Even the whole scene with the gay line thing [Angelo volunteers at a gay hotline]. You have this Italian talking to these people who are in trouble, and the WASP mentality would be to try to be compassionate, and it's not that we're not compassionate, but it's like, 'What do you mean you took the legal hormones? What are you? Crazy? What are you thinking?' And that's the way I would react."
So you were very active in the making of the film?
"Yes. I was even in it. I had a small role. You know when Angelo wrote his TV show? And there was the family on the screen? I play the son."
Did any of the actors have to consult with you or your family in developing their characters?
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