Old annoying ethnic family stereotypes meet new annoying gay-relationship stereotypes in this candidate for "Kiss Me Guido's" heretofore uncontested niche.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
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.
The New York Times by Dave Kehr
As Angelo, Mr. Kirby has a boyish charm, which is probably the best that can be said for this film as well.
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.
New York Daily News by Elizabeth 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.
Beneath the heavy accents, wild gesticulating, slaps to the head and garish flocked wallpaper, there's an awful lot of heart.
Los Angeles Times by Kevin Thomas
Intent on offering viewers a good time yet manages to sneak in considerable substance in a disarming, even old-fashioned manner.
You don't have to be gay or Italian or live in Canada to enjoy Mambo Italiano, but a tolerance for ethnic mugging helps.
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) by Rick Groen
Patterns itself after the Greek model -- that is, more ethnic humour with a contemporary twist.