The Mambo Kings

Wuchak

2021-08-06

⭐ 6

_**Dynamic Latin dance performers in America in the 50s**_ Two brothers flee Cuba in the early 50s in search of the American Dream playing mambo music. The older sibling, Cesar, is a natural showman and businessman (Armand Assante) whereas the younger brother, Nestor, is a reserved composer (Antonio Banderas). The women in their lives are played by curvy Cathy Moriarty and Maruschka Detmers. "The Mambo Kings" (1992) is reminiscent of “The Cotton Club” (1984) mixed with the later “Pollock” (2000) and maybe a little “Dirty Dancing” (1987). While not quite as good as those, it’s still wort…

CinemaSerf

2025-11-23

⭐ 6

It’s the early 1950s in Cuba when, after a violent near-death experience, talented musicians “Cesar” (Armand Assante) and his brother “Nestor” (Antonio Banderas) decide that they can make more of a go of things, and stay safer, if they move to the New York. There, their lively and vibrant styles of Latin themed music and dance quickly go down a storm. The former falls for the cigarette seller “Lanna” (Cathy Lake) whilst the latter marries and has a child with “Delores” (Maruschka Detmers) and things look set fair. Their success hasn’t gone unnoticed by local kingpin “Perez” (an unconvincing ch…