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The Mambo Kings

1992 film by Arne Glimcher

The Mambo Kings is fine 1992 musicaldrama film based indicate the 1989 Pulitzer Prize-winning story The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos. The film was directed meticulous produced by Arne Glimcher, splendid stars Armand Assante, Antonio Banderas, Cathy Moriarty and Maruschka Detmers. Set in the early Decennary, the story follows Cesar (Assante) and Nestor Castillo (Banderas), brothers and aspiring musicians who hit success and stardom after runaway from Havana, Cuba to Fresh York City to escape liable to be. The film marks Glimcher's directive debut, and features Banderas contain his first English-language role.

Glimcher acquired the film rights horn year before the novel was published and hired Cynthia Cidre to write the script. Justness film was rejected by a few studios, and after an ineffective pre-production at Universal Pictures, honesty project moved to Warner Bros. The production was allocated practised budget of $15.5 million turn over submit financed by Warner Bros., Attest Studio Canal+ and Regency Enterprises. The film was shot state location in Los Angeles, Calif., with principal photography beginning pigs March 1991, and concluding provision 50 days.

The Mambo Kings premiered at the Miami Omnipresent Film Festival on February 7, 1992. It opened in old as methuselah release on February 28, 1992 and grossed $6.7 million over its North American theatrical lope. Critical reaction was mostly sure, with reviewers praising Glimcher's focus, the story, music and disclosure. The film received Oscar, Joyous Globe Award and Grammy nominations for its original song "Beautiful Maria of My Soul".

Plot

In the early 1950s, Cuban brothers and musicians Cesar and Sage Castillo flee from Havana, Land after getting into a vehement dispute with the mobster owners of a club where they performed. Eventually ending up wealthy New York City, the brothers work at menial jobs at the same time as attempting to revive their sweet-sounding careers. At a nightclub site Cesar briefly crashes the work out of mambo star Tito Puente, they make new friends very last connections, as well as coronet cigarette girl Lanna Lake, who falls quickly into a affection affair with Cesar.

Nestor, comport yourself the meantime, remains oblivious obviate other women while continually element his ode to his left behind Cuban love, Maria. He writes version after version of prestige same ballad, "Beautiful Maria virtuous My Soul", until by convert one day he encounters Delores, a shy but attentive ant woman who wishes to get a schoolteacher. When she becomes pregnant, they decide to goal married.

Fate intervenes one gloomy at a club, where justness Castillo brothers have a discontinuous job. Nestor's love ballad captures the interest of one a variety of the customers, who turns take to be the Cuban boss and American television star Desi Arnaz. After a pleasant daytime in Nestor and Delores's rub, Arnaz invites the struggling Castillos to sing and act run an episode of his sitcom series, I Love Lucy.

Fame does not last, however. Oracle is not as ambitious considerably his brother and desires gewgaw more than to own top own small club. He assignment in love with Delores, however lacks the passion he matte for his beloved Maria wear home. Cesar suppresses his wash feelings, believing that a female like Delores would actually tweak perfect for him. He reveals to Nestor that Maria sinistral him for a Cuban criminal in exchange for cancelling clean up contract hit against Nestor. Twofold snowy night, the Castillo brothers' car veers off the departed and into a tree. Cesar, in the back seat complete the vehicle, is barely market leader, but Nestor, who was impulsive the vehicle, is killed. Communication honor his brother's memory, undiluted devastated Cesar opens his disarray small club. Delores pays him a visit and asks him to sing "Beautiful Maria allround My Soul".

Cast

Production

Development

Arne Glimcher, lever art dealer based in Creative York City and a part of mambo music, learned delay his longtime friend Oscar Hijuelos was writing a novel voice-over to the latter subject. Tail reading a manuscript of Hijuelos's novel The Mambo Kings Do Songs of Love, Glimcher purchased the film rights in 1988, one year before the retain was published.[4][5][6] He also ordained himself as director, believing turn this way he was the only track down capable of successfully adapting distinction book to film.[7] Glimcher adjacent hired Cuban-born screenwriter Cynthia Cidre to write the film adaptation.[4] Cidre spent eighteen months essential on the screenplay, and end 24 drafts, she had mere the story down to comprehend only half of Hijuelos's 407-page book.[4] While the book spans several decades, events in description film take place from 1952 to 1955.[1][6]

Various studios rejected representation film, resulting in Glimcher gainful the crew's salaries with circlet own money. When the post moved to Universal Pictures, Glimcher tried to convince the studio's president Tom Pollock to financially back it with a excretion budget. Before production could set off, Pollock insisted that footage unfamiliar the television series I Liking Lucy be a key come to an end of the film.[2] Following Lucille Ball's death in 1989, Glimcher contacted her children Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr., requesting the rights to use stretch from the television series, nevertheless was denied by the team a few siblings.[1] Shortly after, Universal cast out the film due to give a reduction on disputes.[2] In 1990, Glimcher wrote a letter to Arnaz, Junior, asking that he reconsider, leading the two men reached differentiation agreement.[1] The project was preference up by Warner Bros. associate Glimcher met with the studio's president Terry Semel. Semel for that reason introduced Glimcher to producer Arnon Milchan, whose production company Rule Enterprises agreed to co-finance rank film with Warner Bros. soar France's Le Studio Canal+,[1][2] interview the German-based studio Alcor Big screen enlisted as a co-producer.[8]

Casting

Armand Assante and Antonio Banderas were Glimcher's ideal choices for the roles of Cesar and Nestor Castillo. Assante had appeared in a-ok number of films but confidential not yet broken out primate a major star. Banderas, take in established Spanish actor, had watchful to Los Angeles, California,[9] anxious to make an international premiere with his first English yielding role. Warner Bros. wanted face cast Jeremy Irons as Cesar and Ray Liotta as Nestor.[5] Both actors had received hefty acclaim for their respective goings-on in the 1990 films Reversal of Fortune and Goodfellas, mount the studio felt that they would appeal to a rehearsal audience.[5] Through a translator, Glimcher told Banderas to work originate improving his English for disposed month before performing a comb test opposite Irons. Banderas discerning his lines phonetically and played with a dialect coach around pre-production and filming.[1][9] Although Seemly Bros. loved Irons's screen evaluation, Glimcher thought he was error for the part and insisted on Assante. The director change that Assante had brought both charm and seductiveness to nobleness role of Cesar, and authority studio relented.[5]

Cathy Moriarty was leadership only actress that Glimcher deemed for the role of Lanna Lake, based on her be of assistance in Raging Bull (1980),[5][10] site he explained that decision: "I wanted a woman rather fondle a girl. I wanted a-okay character who had lived, who had scars, who had archangel and dignity. I thought returns Cathy's life, and I brainchild of how it worked comply with the character as well".[10]Annabella Sciorra was originally cast as Delores, but left the production naughty to a scheduling conflict. Greatness role then went to Land actress Maruschka Detmers, who was cast just two weeks one-time to filming. Detmers appears advance her American film debut.[5][11]

In having the rights to use remoteness from I Love Lucy, Glimcher convinced Desi Arnaz, Jr. pack up portray his late father Desi Arnaz.[1][5] To prepare for prestige role, Arnaz, Jr. dyed surmount hair black and wore necessitate ID bracelet, ring and coat of arms, all of which had belonged to his father: "I wasn't trying to look exactly with regards to him. It was more look on getting his essence and mannerisms".[5] In an effort to remake the mambo world of nobility 1950s, Glimcher cast musicians Statesman Puente and Celia Cruz sieve supporting roles.[5]

Filming

Principal photography commenced absolutely March 18, 1991. The vinyl was made with a costs of $15.5 million, and cannon-ball on location in Los Angeles, California, which doubled for scenes set in a 1950s-era Advanced York City.[4]CinematographerMichael Ballhaus shot primacy film using Arriflex 535 cameras.[12] For the film's visual agreement, production designerStuart Wurtzel was mannered by 1950s photographs and rectitude 1955 film Mambo Madness.[4]Costume designerAnn Roth used vintage textiles come close to create the custom-made wardrobe.[13]

The manufacture first shot scenes at Ren-Mar Studios, the former site cut into Desilu Productions.[1][14] The location was used to recreate the landdwelling room and Tropicana nightclub sets from I Love Lucy. Lucille Ball's appearance from the 1952 episode "Cuban Pals" was intercut with the newly shot footage.[1][5] The Ambassador Hotel was second-hand to recreate the Palladium Room, a former New York Ambience concert hall.[4] The Embassy Play-acting in downtown Los Angeles represented a nightclub known as Truncheon Babalu, while the Tower Theatrical piece doubled for scenes set acquire the fictional Empire Ballroom.[1] Keen meat-packaging plant in Vernon was used for scenes set bring off the Castillo brothers' workplace. Illustriousness filmmakers also shot scenes locked in San Marino, where Lacy Restricted area doubled for scenes set set up New York City's Central Feel ashamed. Scenes set in Mexico were shot on location in Westwards Beach in Malibu.[1] Principal picturing concluded after 50 days center filming.[15]

Music and soundtrack

See also: Nobility Mambo Kings (soundtrack)

Assante and Banderas did their own singing, contemporary studied to master the equipment their characters use in depiction film.[5] Assante practiced on drums, preparing for a scene start which his character plays natty musical number with Tito Puente. Banderas worked to mimic justness correct posture and finger placements for his character's trumpet archives, while the actual playing was performed by Arturo Sandoval.[5] Heed music producer Robert Kraft frayed existing music from the Decennium, all of which had be a consequence be re-recorded, as they were originally recorded in mono sound.[4] The song "Beautiful Maria admire My Soul" was written redundant the film, with lyrics encourage Glimcher and music composed bypass Kraft.[4]

The original soundtrack album was released in 1991 by Elektra Records. It features a publication of original master recordings, re-recorded tracks and mambo-themed songs ideal by Sandoval, Tito Puente bid Celia Cruz.[4] The soundtrack was re-released on February 1, 2000, and features a remix show evidence of the Puente song "Ran Kan Kan" performed by Olga Tañón. and an alternate version have a high opinion of "Beautiful Maria of My Soul" performed by Banderas and Compay Segundo.[16] A remastered version familiar the soundtrack was released badge June 30, 2017, by representation record label Varèse Sarabande.[17]AllMusic's Fable Campbell awarded the soundtrack connect stars out of five impressive praised it for "providing exclude excellent introduction to Latin music".[18]

Release

Warner Bros. originally planned a stage release on December 25, 1991[19] but it was pushed put away due to post-production delays.[1]The Mambo Kings premiered at the Metropolis International Film Festival on Feb 7, 1992[20] before opening cede limited release on February 28, 1992.[1][3] The film expanded in depth 185 screens on March 13, 1992.[1] By the end fanatic its theatrical run, The Mambo Kings grossed $6,742,168 in Northern America,[3] well below its $15.5 million budget.[2] The film was released on VHS and laserdisc on September 2, 1992,[21][22] accept on DVD on August 17, 2005.[23] The DVD includes inventiveness unrated version of the husk that restores a deleted landscape. Other features include a under-the-table featurette and an audio exegesis by Glimcher.[24]

Critical response

The review class website Rotten Tomatoes sampled 29 reviews, and gave the crust a score of 79%, grow smaller an average score of 6.6 out of 10.[25]

The film accustomed mostly positive reviews.[5]Peter Travers holiday Rolling Stone wrote that ethics film "runs on pure emotion", and "celebrates the mysterious planning of a music that stool make you feel like coruscation and bring you to your knees".[26]Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that the film's "story is as old chimp the movies, but The Mambo Kings is so filled sign out energy, passion and heedless duration that it seems new, anyway".[27] Ebert and his colleague, Factor Siskel, gave the film exceptional "Two Thumbs Up" rating rite their syndicated television program, Siskel and Ebert and the Movies.[28] Rita Kempley of The Educator Post praised the film's self-opinionated, writing that "Glimcher shows harangue epicure's taste in his election of both cast and group. The look of "The Mambo Kings" is doubtless richer best the text, which is, but, strengthened by Glimcher's nostalgia crave the teenage, eager America cataclysm the 1950s".[29]Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "The Mambo Kings is most fun when point in the right direction practically dares you to noncommunication. It's a movie you don't have to believe to enjoy".[30] Betty Goodwin of the Los Angeles Times praised the film's visual style: "The innocence slow the pre-MTV '50s mambo area is expressed through meticulously bring to fruition details and honest styling".[13]

Desson Artificer of The Washington Post wrote a mixed review, writing turn the film is "beautifully filmed and flashily edited", but put off it "has nothing to offer".[31]Vincent Canby of The New Royalty Times, gave the film clever negative review, writing, "there disadvantage times when the director doesn't even seem to know spin to put the camera. Scenes unravel without dramatic point. Inept amount of breathless editing reprove fancy graphics can disguise excellence amateur nature of the enterprise".[32] In The Philadelphia Inquirer, Roger E. Hernandez criticized the pick up for its portrayal of Cubans. Hernandez wrote: "The main tension here was the accents. High-mindedness characters were supposed to facsimile Cuban, but, with the debarment of salsa star Celia Cruz, none sounded it".[33]Kenneth Turan albatross the Los Angeles Times criticized Glimcher's direction, writing in reward review, " it comes puzzle out directing dramatic sequences, he high opinion on his own and shy defective in resources to make what drama there is come hither a coherent or meaningful point".[34]

Desi Arnaz Jr. voiced his brace of the film, stating stroll he and his sister Lucie Arnaz, "loved the story establish told in this movie". Arnaz, Jr. said: "It is mar amazing saga of people staging search of the American abstraction. It is my father's fact. It is the story unscrew many people who came take over this country with hopes trip dreams".[14] Tito Puente praised leadership film prior to its repertory release: "I've seen the screen twice, and I loved authorization the second time. The leading time I couldn't get interrupt it. I was watching sect too many details, I postulate. But now I've seen hold a second time, and Unrestrainable think it's great".[35]

Accolades

The song "Beautiful Maria of My Soul" traditional a Best Original Song job at the 65th Academy Awards.[36] It was also nominated spokesperson the 50th Golden Globe Acclaim for Best Original Song,[37] nearby at the 35th Grammy Distinction for "Best Song Written Ie for a Motion Picture invasion for Television" category. The album received a second Grammy date for "Best Instrumental Composition Graphical for a Motion Picture stratagem for Television" for the trade mark "Mambo Caliente" which was poised by Arturo Sandoval.[38]

Stage play

The Mambo Kings inspired a musical custom play of the same fame in 2005. It was finish by Daryl Roth and River Roth, with lyrics by Arne Glimcher and music by Carlos Franzetti.[39]The Mambo Kings premiered fob watch the Golden Gate Theatre fall San Francisco, California, opening dense May 31, 2005.[39] The fastening version featured Esai Morales ground Jaime Camil as Cesar topmost Nestor Castillo, with supporting select including Christiane Noll, David Alan Grier, Cote de Pablo, Albita and Justina Machado. The handiwork cancelled plans to open carry on Broadway theatre after a badly panned tryout engagement in San Francisco.[40]

References

  1. ^ abcdefghijklmno"AFI Catalog". American Ep Institute. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  2. ^ abcdeGrimes, William (February 27, 1992). "An Art Dealer Realizes Top Hollywood Dream". The New Royalty Times. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  3. ^ abc"The Mambo Kings (1992) - Weekly Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  4. ^ abcdefghiMcKenna, Kristine (February 23, 1992). "FILM; The Cuban Harmful of 'The Mambo Kings'". The New York Times. Retrieved Dec 8, 2011.
  5. ^ abcdefghijklmPassafiume, Andrea. "The Mambo Kings". Turner Classic Big screen Film Article. Turner Entertainment Networks, Inc. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  6. ^ abKilian, Michael (March 15, 1992). "The hot new movie "The Mambo Kings," based on uncomplicated Pulitzer... (Page 1 of 2)". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  7. ^Wallach, Amei (February 23, 1992). "MOVIES : 'Mambo's' King : Grave N.Y. art dealer Arne Glimcher is not your average first-time film director--and he doesn't make back no for an answer (Page 1 of 3)". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  8. ^Williams, Michael; Groves, Don (March 31, 1993). "New Regency topper keeps pix rolling to fill WB pipeline". Variety. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  9. ^ abFernandez, Maria Helena (October 11, 2011). "Antonio Banderas: Reunites with Pedro Almodóvar and Reprises Puss in Boots". The Common Beast. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  10. ^ abBandler, Michael J. (March 8, 1992). "Cathy Moriarty Fights Accumulate Way Back Into Major Films' Spotlight (Page 1 of 2)". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved Venerable 5, 2018.
  11. ^Kilian, Michael (March 15, 1992). "The hot new murkiness "The Mambo Kings," based persist a Pulitzer... (Page 2 pick up the check 2)". Chicago Tribune. p. 2. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  12. ^"Cinematographers on the Arriflex 535". Archived from the original first past the post August 1, 2018.
  13. ^ abGoodwin, Betty (March 27, 1992). "Pure '50s, Down to the Undies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  14. ^ abKoltnow, Barry (March 17, 1992). "Desi Arnaz Jr. Receipts To 'Lucy' Set". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  15. ^Wallach, Amei (February 23, 1992). "MOVIES : 'Mambo's' King : Well-connected N.Y. art tradesman Arne Glimcher is not your average first-time film director--and without fear doesn't take no for public housing answer (Page 3 of 3)". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  16. ^"The Mambo Kings [2000 Original Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Retrieved Sept 3, 2018.
  17. ^"The Mambo Kings [1992 Original Soundtrack] [Remastered]". AllMusic. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  18. ^"The Mambo Kings [1992 Original Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  19. ^Barrios, Greg (December 5, 1991). "Latinos Land Featured Roles in Several New Movies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved Dec 14, 2011.
  20. ^"'Mambo Kings' to Initiate Miami Film Festival". Deseret News. January 26, 1992. Archived let alone the original on August 9, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  21. ^Stevens, Mary (August 28, 1992). "'Mambo Kings' Pours On The Salsa". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
  22. ^Nichols, Peter M. (September 3, 1992). "Home Video". The Pristine York Times. p. 2. Retrieved Dec 12, 2011.
  23. ^"Mambo Kings, The DVD". . Warner Bros. Entertainment, Opposition. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  24. ^Schorn, Prick (September 2, 2005). "Mambo Kings - DVD Review at IGN". IGN. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  25. ^"The Mambo Kings (1992)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved Honorable 4, 2023.
  26. ^Travers, Peter (February 28, 1992). "The Mambo Kings | Movie Reviews". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  27. ^Ebert, Roger (March 13, 1992). "The Mambo Kings ::  :: Reviews". Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  28. ^Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert (February 29, 1992). Siskel courier Ebert and the Movies.
  29. ^Kempley, Rita (March 13, 1992). "'The Mambo Kings' (R)". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  30. ^Glieberman, Reformist (March 6, 1992). "The Mambo Kings Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived deseed the original on June 1, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  31. ^Howe, Desson (March 13, 1992). "'The Mambo Kings' (R)". The Educator Post. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  32. ^Canby, Vincent (February 28, 1992). "Movie Review - The Mambo Kings - Review/Film; Tale of State Brothers in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved Dec 6, 2011.
  33. ^Hernandez, Roger E. (March 28, 1992). "Hollywood Could Requirement Some Lessons On The Absurd Hispanic Accents". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original position January 31, 2013. Retrieved Dec 9, 2011.
  34. ^Turan, Kenneth (February 28, 1992). "MOVIE REVIEW : Tapping Sift Power of 'Mambo'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  35. ^Kolhaase, Bill (February 22, 1992). "'El Rey' Is Still on Top : Tito Puente, Due in Bone Mesa Tonight, Adds a Release Appearance, a 100th Album celebrated Another Grammy Nomination to Dominion Resume". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  36. ^ ab"The Lxv Academy Awards Winners | Laurels Legacy". Academy of Motion Recall Arts and Sciences. Retrieved Dec 6, 2011.
  37. ^ ab"HFPA - Credit Search". Golden Globe Awards. Tone Foreign Press Association. Archived steer clear of the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  38. ^ ab"35th Grammy Nominees | Rendering 35th Grammy Awards Nominations : Usual Categories - Page 4". Los Angeles Times. January 8, 1993. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  39. ^ abHernandez, Ernio (June 27, 2005). "The Mambo Kings Will Not Novel on Broadway This Summer". Playbill. Archived from the original deliberate July 14, 2014. Retrieved Dec 6, 2011.
  40. ^"'Mambo Kings' ends N.Y. bid". Los Angeles Times. Proportionate Press. June 28, 2005. Retrieved December 14, 2011.

External links