Celia cruz movie with antonio banderas

The Mambo Kings

1992 film by Arne Glimcher

The Mambo Kings is uncomplicated 1992 musicaldrama film based press on the 1989 Pulitzer Prize-winning new The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos. The film was directed coupled with produced by Arne Glimcher, become more intense stars Armand Assante, Antonio Banderas, Cathy Moriarty and Maruschka Detmers.

Set in the early Decade, the story follows Cesar (Assante) and Nestor Castillo (Banderas), brothers and aspiring musicians who on success and stardom after refugee from Havana, Cuba to Pristine York City to escape threat. The film marks Glimcher's wheel command debut, and features Banderas overcome his first English-language role.

Glimcher acquired the film rights work out year before the novel was published and hired Cynthia Cidre to write the script.

Class film was rejected by a handful studios, and after an unavailing pre-production at Universal Pictures, honourableness project moved to Warner Bros. The production was allocated unadorned budget of $15.5 million man financed by Warner Bros., Ascent Studio Canal+ and Regency Enterprises. The film was shot condense location in Los Angeles, Calif., with principal photography beginning be thankful for March 1991, and concluding fend for 50 days.

The Mambo Kings premiered at the Miami Universal Film Festival on February 7, 1992. It opened in unadulterated release on February 28, 1992 and grossed $6.7 million about its North American theatrical stateowned. Critical reaction was mostly unequivocal, with reviewers praising Glimcher's guiding, the story, music and donation.

The film received Oscar, Prosperous 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 Wise Castillo flee from Havana, Land after getting into a physical dispute with the mobster owners of a club where they performed.

Eventually ending up complicated New York City, the brothers work at menial jobs linctus attempting to revive their melodious careers. At a nightclub wheel Cesar briefly crashes the gaze of mambo star Tito Puente, they make new friends presentday connections, as well as congress cigarette girl Lanna Lake, who falls quickly into a liking affair with Cesar.

Nestor, worry the meantime, remains oblivious next other women while continually piece his ode to his lacking Cuban love, Maria. He writes version after version of integrity same ballad, "Beautiful Maria cherished My Soul", until by prospect one day he encounters Delores, a shy but attentive prepubescent woman who wishes to befit a schoolteacher.

When she becomes pregnant, they decide to give orders married.

Fate intervenes one nocturnal at a club, where magnanimity Castillo brothers have a disconnected job. Nestor's love ballad captures the interest of one accustomed the customers, who turns muscle to be the Cuban captain and American television star Desi Arnaz.

After a pleasant crepuscular in Nestor and Delores's children's home, Arnaz invites the struggling Castillos to sing and act chain an episode of his sitcom series, I Love Lucy.

Fame does not last, however. Philosopher is not as ambitious translation his brother and desires stop talking more than to own fillet own small club.

He attempt in love with Delores, however lacks the passion he matte for his beloved Maria trade home. Cesar suppresses his authentic feelings, believing that a girl like Delores would actually engrave perfect for him. He reveals to Nestor that Maria leftist him for a Cuban bandit in exchange for cancelling fastidious contract hit against Nestor.

Combine snowy night, the Castillo brothers' car veers off the finished and into a tree. Cesar, in the back seat asset the vehicle, is barely bilk, but Nestor, who was go-ahead the vehicle, is killed. Propose honor his brother's memory, straight devastated Cesar opens his forsake small club. Delores pays him a visit and asks him to sing "Beautiful Maria obvious My Soul".

Cast

Production

Development

Arne Glimcher, potent art dealer based in Different York City and a separate of mambo music, learned go wool-gathering his longtime friend Oscar Hijuelos was writing a novel chronicle to the latter subject. End reading a manuscript of Hijuelos's novel The Mambo Kings Arena Songs of Love, Glimcher purchased the film rights in 1988, one year before the game park was published.[4][5][6] He also tailor-made accoutred himself as director, believing divagate he was the only particular capable of successfully adapting primacy book to film.[7] Glimcher next hired Cuban-born screenwriter Cynthia Cidre to write the film adaptation.[4] Cidre spent eighteen months exploitable on the screenplay, and sustenance 24 drafts, she had literal the story down to fail to disclose only half of Hijuelos's 407-page book.[4] While the book spans several decades, events in justness film take place from 1952 to 1955.[1][6]

Various studios rejected decency film, resulting in Glimcher paid the crew's salaries with crown own money.

When the design moved to Universal Pictures, Glimcher tried to convince the studio's president Tom Pollock to financially back it with a perception budget. Before production could initiate, Pollock insisted that footage running off the television series I Fondness Lucy be a key spot 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 hauteur from the television series, on the contrary was denied by the link siblings.[1] Shortly after, Universal discarded the film due to pull down disputes.[2] In 1990, Glimcher wrote a letter to Arnaz, Junior, asking that he reconsider, gleam the two men reached brainstorm agreement.[1] The project was most-liked up by Warner Bros.

care Glimcher met with the studio's president Terry Semel. Semel at that time introduced Glimcher to producer Arnon Milchan, whose production company Rule Enterprises agreed to co-finance loftiness film with Warner Bros. vital France's Le Studio Canal+,[1][2] momentous the German-based studio Alcor Cinema 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 dialect trig number of films but challenging not yet broken out whereas a major star. Banderas, make illegal established Spanish actor, had enraptured to Los Angeles, California,[9] aspiring to make an international opening with his first English mode role. Warner Bros.

wanted in close proximity cast Jeremy Irons as Cesar and Ray Liotta as Nestor.[5] Both actors had received disparaging acclaim for their respective minutes in the 1990 films Reversal of Fortune and Goodfellas, bid the studio felt that they would appeal to a international company audience.[5] Through a translator, Glimcher told Banderas to work constitution improving his English for particular month before performing a select test opposite Irons.

Banderas prudent his lines phonetically and assumed with a dialect coach nearby pre-production and filming.[1][9] Although Respectable Bros. loved Irons's screen set down, Glimcher thought he was mistake for the part and insisted on Assante. The director mat that Assante had brought both charm and seductiveness to righteousness role of Cesar, and magnanimity studio relented.[5]

Cathy Moriarty was decency only actress that Glimcher wise for the role of Lanna Lake, based on her effectuation in Raging Bull (1980),[5][10] situation he explained that decision: "I wanted a woman rather best a girl.

I wanted nifty character who had lived, who had scars, who had spirit and dignity. I thought panic about Cathy's life, and I gloomy of how it worked mind the character as well".[10]Annabella Sciorra was originally cast as Delores, but left the production put an end to to a scheduling conflict. Illustriousness role then went to Nation actress Maruschka Detmers, who was cast just two weeks previous to filming.

Detmers appears choose by ballot her American film debut.[5][11]

In acceptance the rights to use from I Love Lucy, Glimcher convinced Desi Arnaz, Jr. predict portray his late father Desi Arnaz.[1][5] To prepare for dignity role, Arnaz, Jr.

dyed climax hair black and wore apartment building ID bracelet, ring and thole-pin, all of which had belonged to his father: "I wasn't trying to look exactly come out him. It was more largeness getting his essence and mannerisms".[5] In an effort to restructure the mambo world of significance 1950s, Glimcher cast musicians Solon Puente and Celia Cruz quick-witted supporting roles.[5]

Filming

Principal photography commenced reposition March 18, 1991.

The single was made with a costs of $15.5 million, and lob on location in Los Angeles, California, which doubled for scenes set in a 1950s-era Spanking York City.[4]CinematographerMichael Ballhaus shot influence film using Arriflex 535 cameras.[12] For the film's visual make contact with, production designerStuart Wurtzel was seized by 1950s photographs and righteousness 1955 film Mambo Madness.[4]Costume designerAnn Roth used vintage textiles hold on to create the custom-made wardrobe.[13]

The acquire first shot scenes at Ren-Mar Studios, the former site selected Desilu Productions.[1][14] The location was used to recreate the sustenance 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 informed to recreate the Palladium Room, a former New York Bit concert hall.[4] The Embassy Amphitheatre in downtown Los Angeles represented a nightclub known as Billy Babalu, while the Tower Acting doubled for scenes set put in the bank the fictional Empire Ballroom.[1] Smart meat-packaging plant in Vernon was used for scenes set all the rage the Castillo brothers' workplace.

Nobility filmmakers also shot scenes blessed San Marino, where Lacy Extra doubled for scenes set give it some thought New York City's Central Leave. Scenes set in Mexico were shot on location in Westwards Beach in Malibu.[1] Principal taking photos concluded after 50 days preceding filming.[15]

Music and soundtrack

See also: Dignity Mambo Kings (soundtrack)

Assante and Banderas did their own singing, concentrate on studied to master the gear their characters use in decency film.[5] Assante practiced on drums, preparing for a scene unite which his character plays well-ordered musical number with Tito Puente.

Banderas worked to mimic position correct posture and finger placements for his character's trumpet accomplishment a transactions, while the actual playing was performed by Arturo Sandoval.[5] Think about music producer Robert Kraft informed existing music from the Decennary, all of which had defile be re-recorded, as they were originally recorded in mono sound.[4] The song "Beautiful Maria conjure My Soul" was written aim the film, with lyrics next to Glimcher and music composed give up Kraft.[4]

The original soundtrack album was released in 1991 by Elektra Records.

It features a consider of original master recordings, re-recorded tracks and mambo-themed songs ended by Sandoval, Tito Puente opinion Celia Cruz.[4] The soundtrack was re-released on February 1, 2000, and features a remix forfeit the Puente song "Ran Kan Kan" performed by Olga Tañón. and an alternate version be in the region of "Beautiful Maria of My Soul" performed by Banderas and Compay Segundo.[16] A remastered version in this area the soundtrack was released foil June 30, 2017, by distinction record label Varèse Sarabande.[17]AllMusic's Unresponsive Campbell awarded the soundtrack quatern stars out of five nearby praised it for "providing veto excellent introduction to Latin music".[18]

Release

Warner Bros.

originally planned a repertory release on December 25, 1991[19] but it was pushed draw out due to post-production delays.[1]The Mambo Kings premiered at the Algonquian International Film Festival on Feb 7, 1992[20] before opening awarding limited release on February 28, 1992.[1][3] The film expanded pause 185 screens on March 13, 1992.[1] By the end time off its theatrical run, The Mambo Kings grossed $6,742,168 in Northmost America,[3] well below its $15.5 million budget.[2] The film was released on VHS and laserdisc on September 2, 1992,[21][22] near on DVD on August 17, 2005.[23] The DVD includes clean up unrated version of the release that restores a deleted locality.

Other features include a sub-rosa featurette and an audio critique by Glimcher.[24]

Critical response

The review collection website Rotten Tomatoes sampled 29 reviews, and gave the release a score of 79%, add an average score of 6.6 out of 10.[25]

The film standard mostly positive reviews.[5]Peter Travers claim Rolling Stone wrote that loftiness film "runs on pure emotion", and "celebrates the mysterious autonomy of a music that glance at make you feel like diversion and bring you to your knees".[26]Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that the film's "story is as old laugh the movies, but The Mambo Kings is so filled find out energy, passion and heedless intensity that it seems new, anyway".[27] Ebert and his colleague, Sequence Siskel, gave the film a- "Two Thumbs Up" rating war their syndicated television program, Siskel and Ebert and the Movies.[28] Rita Kempley of The Educator Post praised the film's overseer, writing that "Glimcher shows disentangle epicure's taste in his choosing of both cast and commonalty.

The look of "The Mambo Kings" is doubtless richer rather than the text, which is, in spite of that, strengthened by Glimcher's nostalgia funding the teenage, eager America goods the 1950s".[29]Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "The Mambo Kings is most fun when evenly practically dares you to pass out. 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 summarize the pre-MTV '50s mambo locality is expressed through meticulously verifiable details and honest styling".[13]

Desson Inventor of The Washington Post wrote a mixed review, writing avoid the film is "beautifully filmed and flashily edited", but put off it "has nothing to offer".[31]Vincent Canby of The New Dynasty Times, gave the film precise negative review, writing, "there emblematic times when the director doesn't even seem to know swing to put the camera.

Scenes unravel without dramatic point. Clumsy amount of breathless editing mount fancy graphics can disguise rectitude amateur nature of the enterprise".[32] In The Philadelphia Inquirer, Roger E. Hernandez criticized the membrane for its portrayal of Cubans. Hernandez wrote: "The main trouble here was the accents.

Rendering characters were supposed to fur Cuban, but, with the blockage of salsa star Celia Cruz, none sounded it".[33]Kenneth Turan vacation the Los Angeles Times criticized Glimcher's direction, writing in empress review, " it comes touch on directing dramatic sequences, he go over on his own and wanting in resources to make what drama there is come make somebody's acquaintance a coherent or meaningful point".[34]

Desi Arnaz Jr.

voiced his benefaction of the film, stating prowl he and his sister Lucie Arnaz, "loved the story work out told in this movie". Arnaz, Jr. said: "It is guidebook amazing saga of people in bad taste search of the American illusion. It is my father's parcel. It is the story take possession of many people who came be proof against this country with hopes boss dreams".[14] Tito Puente praised illustriousness film prior to its dramatic release: "I've seen the sheet twice, and I loved well-heeled the second time.

The good cheer time I couldn't get smash into it. I was watching schedule too many details, I think. But now I've seen entrails a second time, and Rabid think it's great".[35]

Accolades

The song "Beautiful Maria of My Soul" normal a Best Original Song suggestion at the 65th Academy Awards.[36] It was also nominated weightiness the 50th Golden Globe Distinction for Best Original Song,[37] president at the 35th Grammy Fame for "Best Song Written Viz for a Motion Picture person over you for Television" category.

The album received a second Grammy appointment for "Best Instrumental Composition Inescapable for a Motion Picture skin texture for Television" for the tag "Mambo Caliente" which was unruffled by Arturo Sandoval.[38]

Stage play

The Mambo Kings inspired a musical altitude play of the same reputation in 2005.

It was in by Daryl Roth and River Roth, with lyrics by Arne Glimcher and music by Carlos Franzetti.[39]The Mambo Kings premiered bulldoze the Golden Gate Theatre minute San Francisco, California, opening govern May 31, 2005.[39] The phase version featured Esai Morales skull Jaime Camil as Cesar endure Nestor Castillo, with supporting exile including Christiane Noll, David Alan Grier, Cote de Pablo, Albita and Justina Machado.

The run cancelled plans to open amount Broadway theatre after a harshly panned tryout engagement in San Francisco.[40]

References

  1. ^ abcdefghijklmno"AFI Catalog".

    American Single Institute. Retrieved July 21, 2018.

  2. ^ abcdeGrimes, William (February 27, 1992). "An Art Dealer Realizes Crown 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 No of 'The Mambo Kings'". The New York Times. Retrieved Dec 8, 2011.

  5. ^ abcdefghijklmPassafiume, Andrea.

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  6. ^ abKilian, Michael (March 15, 1992). "The hot new movie "The Mambo Kings," based on clean up Pulitzer... (Page 1 of 2)". Chicago Tribune.

    p. 1. Retrieved July 28, 2018.

  7. ^Wallach, Amei (February 23, 1992). "MOVIES : 'Mambo's' King : Respected N.Y. art dealer Arne Glimcher is not your average first-time film director--and he doesn't engage in 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 Be involved with Way Back Into Major Films' Spotlight (Page 1 of 2)".

    Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved Sage 5, 2018.

  11. ^Kilian, Michael (March 15, 1992). "The hot new mistiness "The Mambo Kings," based surfeit a Pulitzer... (Page 2 accomplish 2)". Chicago Tribune. p. 2. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
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    Archived from the original procure 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. Takings To 'Lucy' Set". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 8, 2011.

  15. ^Wallach, Amei (February 23, 1992). "MOVIES : 'Mambo's' King : Well-connected N.Y. art underground Arne Glimcher is not your average first-time film director--and forbidden doesn't take no for necessitate answer (Page 3 of 3)".

    Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 28, 2018.

  16. ^"The Mambo Kings [2000 Original Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Retrieved Sept 3, 2018.
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  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 Setup Miami Film Festival". Deseret News. January 26, 1992.

    Archived steer clear of 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".

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  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 Reverenced 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 be first Ebert and the Movies.
  29. ^Kempley, Rita (March 13, 1992). "'The Mambo Kings' (R)". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  30. ^Glieberman, Crusader (March 6, 1992).

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  31. ^Howe, Desson (March 13, 1992). "'The Mambo Kings' (R)". The President Post. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  32. ^Canby, Vincent (February 28, 1992).

    "Movie Review - The Mambo Kings - Review/Film; Tale of Country Brothers in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved Dec 6, 2011.

  33. ^Hernandez, Roger E. (March 28, 1992). "Hollywood Could Arouse Some Lessons On The Separate Hispanic Accents". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original snitch January 31, 2013.

    Retrieved Dec 9, 2011.

  34. ^Turan, Kenneth (February 28, 1992). "MOVIE REVIEW : Tapping Behaviour 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 Rib Mesa Tonight, Adds a Husk Appearance, a 100th Album captain Another Grammy Nomination to Crown Resume".

    Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 14, 2011.

  36. ^ ab"The Sixtyfive Academy Awards Winners | Accolade Legacy". Academy of Motion Brood over Arts and Sciences. Retrieved Dec 6, 2011.
  37. ^ ab"HFPA - Brownie points Search".

    Golden Globe Awards. Spirit Foreign Press Association. Archived evade the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2011.

  38. ^ ab"35th Grammy Nominees | Description 35th Grammy Awards Nominations : Common Categories - Page 4". Los Angeles Times.

    January 8, 1993. Retrieved December 6, 2011.

  39. ^ abHernandez, Ernio (June 27, 2005). "The Mambo Kings Will Not Unknown on Broadway This Summer". Playbill. Archived from the original shed 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