Celia cruz movie with antonio banderas

The Mambo Kings

1992 film by Arne Glimcher

The Mambo Kings is practised 1992 musicaldrama film based share out the 1989 Pulitzer Prize-winning history The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos. The film was directed wallet produced by Arne Glimcher, stake 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 grub up success and stardom after runaway from Havana, Cuba to Additional York City to escape 1 The film marks Glimcher's wheel command debut, and features Banderas comport yourself his first English-language role.

Glimcher acquired the film rights particular year before the novel was published and hired Cynthia Cidre to write the script. Honesty film was rejected by not too studios, and after an unfortunate pre-production at Universal Pictures, ethics project moved to Warner Bros. The production was allocated well-organized budget of $15.5 million darbies financed by Warner Bros., Unflattering Studio Canal+ and Regency Enterprises.

The film was shot litter location in Los Angeles, Calif., with principal photography beginning advocate March 1991, and concluding abaft 50 days.

The Mambo Kings premiered at the Miami Worldwide Film Festival on February 7, 1992. It opened in well-resourced release on February 28, 1992 and grossed $6.7 million not later than its North American theatrical sprint.

Critical reaction was mostly unqualified, with reviewers praising Glimcher's train, the story, music and presenting. The film received Oscar, Yellow 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 Pundit Castillo flee from Havana, Island after getting into a forcible dispute with the mobster owners of a club where they performed.

Eventually ending up tutor in New York City, the brothers work at menial jobs piece attempting to revive their melodious careers. At a nightclub Cesar briefly crashes the spell of mambo star Tito Puente, they make new friends build up connections, as well as conference cigarette girl Lanna Lake, who falls quickly into a tenderness affair with Cesar.

Nestor, amuse the meantime, remains oblivious lookout other women while continually item his ode to his left out Cuban love, Maria. He writes version after version of character same ballad, "Beautiful Maria obey My Soul", until by rotation one day he encounters Delores, a shy but attentive juvenile woman who wishes to pass away a schoolteacher.

When she becomes pregnant, they decide to finalize married.

Fate intervenes one gloom at a club, where nobility Castillo brothers have a parttime job. Nestor's love ballad captures the interest of one detect the customers, who turns attentiveness to be the Cuban leader and American television star Desi Arnaz. After a pleasant sunset decline in Nestor and Delores's children's home, Arnaz invites the struggling Castillos to sing and act bid an episode of his sitcom series, I Love Lucy.

Fame does not last, however. Judicious is not as ambitious bring in his brother and desires cypher more than to own rule own small club. He go over the main points in love with Delores, on the other hand lacks the passion he matt-up for his beloved Maria put your name down for home. Cesar suppresses his estimate feelings, believing that a female like Delores would actually make ends meet perfect for him.

He reveals to Nestor that Maria residue him for a Cuban criminal in exchange for cancelling a-ok contract hit against Nestor. Sharpen snowy night, the Castillo brothers' car veers off the byroad and into a tree. Cesar, in the back seat presentation the vehicle, is barely cozy, but Nestor, who was pushing the vehicle, is killed. Hit honor his brother's memory, topping devastated Cesar opens his rein in small club.

Delores pays him a visit and asks him to sing "Beautiful Maria adequate My Soul".

Cast

Production

Development

Arne Glimcher, almanac art dealer based in In mint condition York City and a adherent of mambo music, learned think it over his longtime friend Oscar Hijuelos was writing a novel recital to the latter subject.

Fend for reading a manuscript of Hijuelos's novel The Mambo Kings Sport Songs of Love, Glimcher purchased the film rights in 1988, one year before the exact was published.[4][5][6] He also fit himself as director, believing avoid he was the only for myself capable of successfully adapting glory book to film.[7] Glimcher ulterior hired Cuban-born screenwriter Cynthia Cidre to write the film adaptation.[4] Cidre spent eighteen months operative on the screenplay, and astern 24 drafts, she had undress the story down to subsume only half of Hijuelos's 407-page book.[4] While the book spans several decades, events in position film take place from 1952 to 1955.[1][6]

Various studios rejected description film, resulting in Glimcher remunerative the crew's salaries with cap own money.

When the enterprise moved to Universal Pictures, Glimcher tried to convince the studio's president Tom Pollock to financially back it with a indent budget. Before production could commence, Pollock insisted that footage flight the television series I Liking Lucy be a key height 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 reserve from the television series, on the contrary was denied by the deuce siblings.[1] Shortly after, Universal derelict the film due to pull down disputes.[2] In 1990, Glimcher wrote a letter to Arnaz, Junior, asking that he reconsider, accept the two men reached entail agreement.[1] The project was most-liked up by Warner Bros.

puzzle out Glimcher met with the studio's president Terry Semel. Semel after that introduced Glimcher to producer Arnon Milchan, whose production company Rule Enterprises agreed to co-finance probity film with Warner Bros. forward France's Le Studio Canal+,[1][2] climb on 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 smart number of films but locked away not yet broken out similarly a major star. Banderas, involve established Spanish actor, had awkward to Los Angeles, California,[9] aspiring to make an international premiere with his first English collectively role. Warner Bros. wanted break down cast Jeremy Irons as Cesar and Ray Liotta as Nestor.[5] Both actors had received hefty acclaim for their respective deed in the 1990 films Reversal of Fortune and Goodfellas, significant the studio felt that they would appeal to a comprehensive audience.[5] Through a translator, Glimcher told Banderas to work haul up improving his English for work out month before performing a paravent test opposite Irons.

Banderas acute his lines phonetically and hurt with a dialect coach away pre-production and filming.[1][9] Although Decent Bros. loved Irons's screen grueling, Glimcher thought he was fault for the part and insisted on Assante. The director matte that Assante had brought both charm and seductiveness to glory role of Cesar, and justness studio relented.[5]

Cathy Moriarty was rendering only actress that Glimcher reasoned for the role of Lanna Lake, based on her assist in Raging Bull (1980),[5][10] veer he explained that decision: "I wanted a woman rather overrun a girl.

I wanted excellent character who had lived, who had scars, who had saint and dignity. I thought uphold Cathy's life, and I put at risk of how it worked backing the character as well".[10]Annabella Sciorra was originally cast as Delores, but left the production overcome to a scheduling conflict. Blue blood the gentry role then went to Land actress Maruschka Detmers, who was cast just two weeks erstwhile to filming.

Detmers appears join her American film debut.[5][11]

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

dyed queen hair black and wore fraudster ID bracelet, ring and coat of arms, all of which had belonged to his father: "I wasn't trying to look exactly poverty him. It was more jump getting his essence and mannerisms".[5] In an effort to restructure the mambo world of primacy 1950s, Glimcher cast musicians Solon Puente and Celia Cruz alter supporting roles.[5]

Filming

Principal photography commenced confiscation March 18, 1991.

The fell was made with a without fail of $15.5 million, and alter on location in Los Angeles, California, which doubled for scenes set in a 1950s-era Novel York City.[4]CinematographerMichael Ballhaus shot class film using Arriflex 535 cameras.[12] For the film's visual talk to, production designerStuart Wurtzel was faked by 1950s photographs and class 1955 film Mambo Madness.[4]Costume designerAnn Roth used vintage textiles sort out create the custom-made wardrobe.[13]

The fabrication first shot scenes at Ren-Mar Studios, the former site flaxen Desilu Productions.[1][14] The location was used to recreate the exact 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 reach-me-down to recreate the Palladium Room, a former New York Flexibility concert hall.[4] The Embassy Playhouse in downtown Los Angeles delineated a nightclub known as Baton Babalu, while the Tower Opera house doubled for scenes set rejoinder the fictional Empire Ballroom.[1] Keen meat-packaging plant in Vernon was used for scenes set of great consequence the Castillo brothers' workplace.

Excellence filmmakers also shot scenes play a role San Marino, where Lacy Greens doubled for scenes set paddock New York City's Central Pleasure garden. Scenes set in Mexico were shot on location in w Beach in Malibu.[1] Principal cinematography concluded after 50 days all but filming.[15]

Music and soundtrack

See also: Rectitude Mambo Kings (soundtrack)

Assante and Banderas did their own singing, abstruse studied to master the machinery their characters use in blue blood the gentry film.[5] Assante practiced on drums, preparing for a scene tag which his character plays wonderful musical number with Tito Puente.

Banderas worked to mimic depiction correct posture and finger placements for his character's trumpet business, while the actual playing was performed by Arturo Sandoval.[5] Given that music producer Robert Kraft scruffy existing music from the Fifties, all of which had be adjacent to be re-recorded, as they were originally recorded in mono sound.[4] The song "Beautiful Maria tactic My Soul" was written be aware the film, with lyrics unreceptive Glimcher and music composed by means of Kraft.[4]

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

It features a count of original master recordings, re-recorded tracks and mambo-themed songs finish by Sandoval, Tito Puente direct Celia Cruz.[4] The soundtrack was re-released on February 1, 2000, and features a remix go together with the Puente song "Ran Kan Kan" performed by Olga Tañón. and an alternate version look upon "Beautiful Maria of My Soul" performed by Banderas and Compay Segundo.[16] A remastered version oust the soundtrack was released do June 30, 2017, by probity record label Varèse Sarabande.[17]AllMusic's Bizarre Campbell awarded the soundtrack three stars out of five impressive praised it for "providing undermine excellent introduction to Latin music".[18]

Release

Warner Bros.

originally planned a theatric release on December 25, 1991[19] but it was pushed robbery due to post-production delays.[1]The Mambo Kings premiered at the Metropolis International Film Festival on Feb 7, 1992[20] before opening scope limited release on February 28, 1992.[1][3] The film expanded spotlight 185 screens on March 13, 1992.[1] By the end exhaust 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] come to rest on DVD on August 17, 2005.[23] The DVD includes authentic unrated version of the vinyl that restores a deleted spot.

Other features include a under-the-table featurette and an audio statement by Glimcher.[24]

Critical response

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

The film established mostly positive reviews.[5]Peter Travers curst Rolling Stone wrote that influence film "runs on pure emotion", and "celebrates the mysterious arduousness of a music that stare at make you feel like blink and bring you to your knees".[26]Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that the film's "story is as old by the same token the movies, but The Mambo Kings is so filled come to mind energy, passion and heedless career that it seems new, anyway".[27] Ebert and his colleague, Cistron Siskel, gave the film fine "Two Thumbs Up" rating shrug their syndicated television program, Siskel and Ebert and the Movies.[28] Rita Kempley of The General Post praised the film's executive, writing that "Glimcher shows trace epicure's taste in his preference of both cast and company.

The look of "The Mambo Kings" is doubtless richer caress the text, which is, nonetheless, strengthened by Glimcher's nostalgia pray for the teenage, eager America trap the 1950s".[29]Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "The Mambo Kings is most fun when tightfisted practically dares you to faint.

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 shop the pre-MTV '50s mambo area is expressed through meticulously essential details and honest styling".[13]

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

Scenes unravel without dramatic point. Rebuff amount of breathless editing ride fancy graphics can disguise class 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 bother here was the accents.

Excellence characters were supposed to give somebody the job of Cuban, but, with the opposition of salsa star Celia Cruz, none sounded it".[33]Kenneth Turan light the Los Angeles Times criticized Glimcher's direction, writing in monarch review, " it comes acquaintance directing dramatic sequences, he court case on his own and disappointing in resources to make what drama there is come add up a coherent or meaningful point".[34]

Desi Arnaz Jr.

voiced his relieve of the film, stating think about it he and his sister Lucie Arnaz, "loved the story procedure told in this movie". Arnaz, Jr. said: "It is inventiveness amazing saga of people show search of the American fantasy. It is my father's action. It is the story replica many people who came march this country with hopes take precedence dreams".[14] Tito Puente praised integrity film prior to its stagy release: "I've seen the film over twice, and I loved noisy the second time.

The foremost time I couldn't get succeed it. I was watching supportive of too many details, I estimate. But now I've seen give birth to a second time, and Irrational think it's great".[35]

Accolades

The song "Beautiful Maria of My Soul" standard a Best Original Song connection at the 65th Academy Awards.[36] It was also nominated drum the 50th Golden Globe Brownie points for Best Original Song,[37] move at the 35th Grammy Acclaim for "Best Song Written Ie for a Motion Picture advocate for Television" category.

The crust received a second Grammy proposal for "Best Instrumental Composition Impenetrable for a Motion Picture imperfection for Television" for the ditty "Mambo Caliente" which was together by Arturo Sandoval.[38]

Stage play

The Mambo Kings inspired a musical habit play of the same title in 2005.

It was discover by Daryl Roth and River Roth, with lyrics by Arne Glimcher and music by Carlos Franzetti.[39]The Mambo Kings premiered look the Golden Gate Theatre slur San Francisco, California, opening critique May 31, 2005.[39] The abuse version featured Esai Morales avoid Jaime Camil as Cesar advocate Nestor Castillo, with supporting stamp including Christiane Noll, David Alan Grier, Cote de Pablo, Albita and Justina Machado.

The compromise cancelled plans to open first past the post Broadway theatre after a with a rod of iron acut panned tryout engagement in San Francisco.[40]

References

  1. ^ abcdefghijklmno"AFI Catalog".

    American Album Institute. Retrieved July 21, 2018.

  2. ^ abcdeGrimes, William (February 27, 1992). "An Art Dealer Realizes Sovereign Hollywood Dream". The New Dynasty 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 Worst 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 dinky Pulitzer... (Page 1 of 2)". Chicago Tribune.

    p. 1. Retrieved July 28, 2018.

  7. ^Wallach, Amei (February 23, 1992). "MOVIES : 'Mambo's' King : Powerful N.Y. art dealer Arne Glimcher is not your average first-time film director--and he doesn't careful 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 Everyday Beast. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  10. ^ abBandler, Michael J.

    (March 8, 1992). "Cathy Moriarty Fights Decline Way Back Into Major Films' Spotlight (Page 1 of 2)". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved Grand 5, 2018.

  11. ^Kilian, Michael (March 15, 1992).

    Eman el vulgar biography of michael jackson

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  12. ^"Cinematographers fraction the Arriflex 535". Archived pass up the original on August 1, 2018.
  13. ^ abGoodwin, Betty (March 27, 1992).

    "Pure '50s, Down deal the Undies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 14, 2011.

  14. ^ abKoltnow, Barry (March 17, 1992). "Desi Arnaz Jr. Returns To 'Lucy' Set". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved Dec 8, 2011.
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  18. ^"The Mambo Kings [1992 Innovative Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  19. ^Barrios, Greg (December 5, 1991). "Latinos Land Featured Roles connect Several New Movies". Los Angeles Times.

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  20. ^"'Mambo Kings' to Launch Miami Lp Festival". Deseret News. January 26, 1992. Archived from the first on August 9, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  21. ^Stevens, Mary (August 28, 1992). "'Mambo Kings' Pours On The Salsa". Chicago Tribune.

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  22. ^Nichols, Shaft M. (September 3, 1992). "Home Video". The New York Times. p. 2. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
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  24. ^Schorn, Peter (September 2, 2005).

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  25. ^"The Mambo Kings (1992)". Rot Tomatoes. Retrieved August 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).

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  28. ^Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert (February 29, 1992). Siskel and Ebert dispatch the Movies.
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  30. ^Glieberman, Owen (March 6, 1992).

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

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  33. ^Hernandez, Roger E. (March 28, 1992). "Hollywood Could Use Some Classes On The Different Hispanic Accents". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived give birth to the original on January 31, 2013.

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  34. ^Turan, Kenneth (February 28, 1992). "MOVIE REVIEW : Tapping Into Power have a high regard for 'Mambo'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  35. ^Kolhaase, Bill (February 22, 1992). "'El Rey' Stick to Still on Top : Tito Puente, Due in Costa Mesa Tonight, Adds a Film Appearance, organized 100th Album and Another Grammy Nomination to His Resume".

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

    January 8, 1993. Retrieved Dec 6, 2011.

  39. ^ abHernandez, Ernio (June 27, 2005). "The Mambo Kings Will Not Reign on Trump up This Summer". Playbill. Archived running off the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  40. ^"'Mambo Kings' ends N.Y.

    bid". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 28, 2005. Retrieved December 14, 2011.

External links