Among the best portrayals of the real Cuba. Excelent fotography, and the real cuban music
36 Reviews
The real thing
sberenth27 July 2020
Incredible Cuban film, not to be missed, especially for those of Cuban descent
rannynm14 September 2020
Mambo Man is an incredible Cuban flick! One not to be missed, especially for those of the Cuban culture. Relatable and a great family film.
Mambo Man is about a Cuban named JC (Hector Noas) who is both a farmer and a music promoter, popular on the island for his music. When his friend, Roberto (David Parez), appears out of the blue with a business offer JC cannot refuse, JC is left scrambling to find fifty thousand dollars. Throughout the film we see JC and his family struggle with their everyday life. We see how poor the island is and posters of Fidel Castro, whether praising or fearing him. Throughout the film, Cuba is shown in its poverty-overcrowded, with residents looking for work for food and money. Mambo Man doesn't hide Cuba's flaws nor does it glorify the country, but rather shows the day-to-day life of the island's inhabitants.
Another plus is the authenticity: the whole cast is Cuban and the movie is filmed in Cuba. (As a Cuban myself, I enjoyed seeing these shots of where my father grew up.) The entirety of Mambo Man is in Spanish with subtitles, with people rarely speaking English. At times, the subtitles do not match what the dialogue really says. Some lines are changed, sometimes phrases and expressions aren't included. Some of my favorite scenes are those that include music, especially traditional Cuban music made for dancing. The soundtrack includes wonderful songs that many Cubans can recognize. Mambo Man has incredible shots of the countryside of Cuba, too, such as JC's farmland, and when he and his chauffeur, David (Alejandro Palomino) drive through the city and countryside.
Overall, the main plot of the film feels extremely rushed, and the not-so-needed scenes drag on for way too long. For example, at one point, JC's friend steals ten thousand dollars from him. We never meet his friend, Omar, so it seems odd to have a character who is pretty unrelated to the plot steal such a grand amount of money. Also, there are parts in the film where tourists visit JC's farm that are longer than necessary. It would have been much better to meet Omar rather than see tourists that have no effect on the storyline. In another example, JC's wife, Rita (Yudexi De La Torre Mesa) is angry with her husband about how much money he is risking, and then in her next scene she talks about how losing a huge sum of money is no big deal, and that family is what is important. We miss her character development, and it seems peculiar how in one scene she nags JC about almost losing their home and in the next she shrugs it off.
The message of the film is that family is what matters most, not money, as JC learns towards the end. There are many uses of adult language; some shown in subtitles, and some not included but still said in Spanish. Heavy alcohol and tobacco depictions are shown as well.
I give Mambo Man 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. It premieres on virtual cinema on September 11, 2020.
Reviewed by Heather S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
Mambo Man is about a Cuban named JC (Hector Noas) who is both a farmer and a music promoter, popular on the island for his music. When his friend, Roberto (David Parez), appears out of the blue with a business offer JC cannot refuse, JC is left scrambling to find fifty thousand dollars. Throughout the film we see JC and his family struggle with their everyday life. We see how poor the island is and posters of Fidel Castro, whether praising or fearing him. Throughout the film, Cuba is shown in its poverty-overcrowded, with residents looking for work for food and money. Mambo Man doesn't hide Cuba's flaws nor does it glorify the country, but rather shows the day-to-day life of the island's inhabitants.
Another plus is the authenticity: the whole cast is Cuban and the movie is filmed in Cuba. (As a Cuban myself, I enjoyed seeing these shots of where my father grew up.) The entirety of Mambo Man is in Spanish with subtitles, with people rarely speaking English. At times, the subtitles do not match what the dialogue really says. Some lines are changed, sometimes phrases and expressions aren't included. Some of my favorite scenes are those that include music, especially traditional Cuban music made for dancing. The soundtrack includes wonderful songs that many Cubans can recognize. Mambo Man has incredible shots of the countryside of Cuba, too, such as JC's farmland, and when he and his chauffeur, David (Alejandro Palomino) drive through the city and countryside.
Overall, the main plot of the film feels extremely rushed, and the not-so-needed scenes drag on for way too long. For example, at one point, JC's friend steals ten thousand dollars from him. We never meet his friend, Omar, so it seems odd to have a character who is pretty unrelated to the plot steal such a grand amount of money. Also, there are parts in the film where tourists visit JC's farm that are longer than necessary. It would have been much better to meet Omar rather than see tourists that have no effect on the storyline. In another example, JC's wife, Rita (Yudexi De La Torre Mesa) is angry with her husband about how much money he is risking, and then in her next scene she talks about how losing a huge sum of money is no big deal, and that family is what is important. We miss her character development, and it seems peculiar how in one scene she nags JC about almost losing their home and in the next she shrugs it off.
The message of the film is that family is what matters most, not money, as JC learns towards the end. There are many uses of adult language; some shown in subtitles, and some not included but still said in Spanish. Heavy alcohol and tobacco depictions are shown as well.
I give Mambo Man 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. It premieres on virtual cinema on September 11, 2020.
Reviewed by Heather S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
Real actual Cuba life
adecora8 August 2020
little Cuba
SnoopyStyle12 July 2021
JC is a big man in a small Cuban town. He has his hands in many pies. He has farms but they are struggling to produce. He plays host to foreign tourists. He's a music promoter. He's a hustler rushing to put out multiple fires. An old friend introduces him to a deal which could salvage his failing finances if only he could get the money to pull it off.
One gets a sense that this is a somewhat realistic portrayal of Cuba. Supposedly, it's based on a true story. It has the music. It has the place. It has the people. The people are poor although the light nature of the film diminishes its impact. Quite frankly, I assumed initially JC to be a local government bigwig with his big house. That is connected to a main issue with this movie. It needs to be clearer about his life. His wife should do the bankruptcy rant much sooner. It should lay out the road map in the first act. It would allow the tension to build better. The filmmaking is closer to indie level. The story telling just needs to be clearer. Also, JC is doing a couple of dumb things towards the end. It's obvious that he needs to bring at least two experts. I figured that one expert could double-cross him. If the wife's worried, he should bring her along for the deal. He could at least trust her which is more than he can say about anybody. The ending is inevitable. This is a nice little foreign indie. It's like a nice little Cuban vacation and a story broke out.
One gets a sense that this is a somewhat realistic portrayal of Cuba. Supposedly, it's based on a true story. It has the music. It has the place. It has the people. The people are poor although the light nature of the film diminishes its impact. Quite frankly, I assumed initially JC to be a local government bigwig with his big house. That is connected to a main issue with this movie. It needs to be clearer about his life. His wife should do the bankruptcy rant much sooner. It should lay out the road map in the first act. It would allow the tension to build better. The filmmaking is closer to indie level. The story telling just needs to be clearer. Also, JC is doing a couple of dumb things towards the end. It's obvious that he needs to bring at least two experts. I figured that one expert could double-cross him. If the wife's worried, he should bring her along for the deal. He could at least trust her which is more than he can say about anybody. The ending is inevitable. This is a nice little foreign indie. It's like a nice little Cuban vacation and a story broke out.
Not so much
MaRosie1113 July 2022
A special film with Cuban culture at its heart
philcastang8 October 2020
Mambo Man is beautifully filmed in rural Cuba. You can feel the music, smell the cigars and taste the food. It explores mans greed and his blindness. It is reflective and presents an authentic truth. The acting is absolutely first rate.
I loved it.
What a great movie!
juankgt27 July 2020
One of the best cuban based feature ever done!!!
jalejandrov-9215028 July 2020
If you want to enjoy with the best cuban music, his landscapes and a really magnificent set of actors this the movie you have to see. His storyline based in a real history has been motive for more than 10th good deserved awards. This is a movie who invite you to see it and enjoy it.
A must see!!
lele28729 July 2020
Wonderful
lixa-8418329 July 2020
Great movie!
adiaz-9740729 July 2020
Captures Cuban life perfectly
colin-1603430 July 2020
Very Good film
hgps-6132913 August 2020
Great film!
carynimia23 September 2020
Cuba in pure state
carlitoselbelga10 November 2020
I really liked the film for the photography and for the soundtracks that accompany the viewer during the film, it recreates the typical Cuban atmosphere. After seeing it, I understand the awards it has received and its nominations. Congratulations
A gripping depiction of life in provincial Cuba - with a top class soundtrack
josephwalker-9020414 August 2020
Mambo Man is an enjoyable and unexpected film. I've never been to Cuba but it appears to show an authentic depiction of the country. Usually, when a film takes you to Cuba it takes you to Havana - but Mambo Man is set in a provincial town - what you might call the 'real Cuba'.
Mambo Man follows a (true) chapter in the life story of local businessman and pillar of his community JC. I won't give any spoilers, but it takes some unexpected twists, and makes interesting commentary on the Cuban social and political scene along the way.
Finally, as you might expect from a film co-directed by the owner of Latin music label Tumi Music - it's worth watching for the sound track alone!
Mambo Man follows a (true) chapter in the life story of local businessman and pillar of his community JC. I won't give any spoilers, but it takes some unexpected twists, and makes interesting commentary on the Cuban social and political scene along the way.
Finally, as you might expect from a film co-directed by the owner of Latin music label Tumi Music - it's worth watching for the sound track alone!
Full Of Personality, Mystery And Suspense
salarrazaghi1 August 2020
I didn't really know what to expect of this film so went to watch it quite blank.
I was drawn to the characters and their different personalities immediately.they were very believable and you almost felt as if you were there.
The film was very natural and the shots were nice and tidy, as a lot of foreign or arty films end up being too 'diffeent', this was easy to watch. as the plot became more complex the viewing was compelling and the director created suspense very well and built it up slowly.
The actors were really great, adding to the story's realism. as we the audience started to try and piece the mysteries of the story you just had to keep watching. i recommend it, the location was really pretty too.
I was drawn to the characters and their different personalities immediately.they were very believable and you almost felt as if you were there.
The film was very natural and the shots were nice and tidy, as a lot of foreign or arty films end up being too 'diffeent', this was easy to watch. as the plot became more complex the viewing was compelling and the director created suspense very well and built it up slowly.
The actors were really great, adding to the story's realism. as we the audience started to try and piece the mysteries of the story you just had to keep watching. i recommend it, the location was really pretty too.
Cuba and its people
ventas-4389029 July 2020
I really liked this movie, it has for me the best actor in Cuba, Hector Noa. It is a beautiful drama, its music its people, it is Cuba and its culture. This movie already has 15 international awards and deserves many more. Mo Fini and Edesio are two very talented directors and they achieved an exclusive product on cinema with Cuban themes. Congratulations.
Amazing movie!
julio-8290118 August 2020
In love with this movie.
elianyspaz16 August 2020
It made me remember my childhood and my adolescence in Cuba, since I don't live there. I really liked seeing the landscapes and the wonderful performance of the actors. I recommend 100% this movie for anyone who wants to know my beautiful island of Cuba.
I love !!!!!!!
mirisinger27 July 2020
Mambo man is a wonderful movie, you can see that it was made with a lot of love, it has talented artists, a spectacular production !! fantastic music, I really love it !!! I ask you to keep making more movies like this !!! Blessings !!!
Do not miss it friends!
Excellent
angel-6903226 July 2020
The Mambo Man movie is great. It has a very beautiful photograph, excellent locations, the Cuban countryside, its animals, the green of Cuba, but above all the music. The music is spectacular from the best traditions. Excellent.
The real cuba .....
lucyfini27 July 2020
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