SYNOPSIS

The film is a vibrant celebration of music, culture, and brotherhood that captures the allure and intensity of the Latin music scene in 1950s New York. Directed by Arne Glimcher and based on Oscar Hijuelos’ Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, the film follows Cuban brothers Cesar and Nestor Castillo, played by Armand Assante and Antonio Banderas, who leave Havana to chase the American dream and make their mark in New York’s thriving mambo scene. What unfolds is an emotional tale of family bonds, ambition, and the deep-seated love for music that drives both men.



CINDIE SAYS:

A landmark film for Hollywood at the time, The Mambo Kings was one of the first mainstream American movies to bring authentic Latin culture and music to the screen in such a compelling way. Assante and Banderas both turned in powerhouse performances that resonated with audiences. This was actually Banderas’s first English-speaking role, and despite not knowing the language at the time, he memorized all his lines phonetically, delivering an emotive and nuanced portrayal of the sensitive, soulful Nestor. Banderas’s commitment was inspiring and marked the beginning of his successful Hollywood career, making him an icon for Latino representation in film.

The film’s music is another star in its own right, featuring performances by legendary artists like Tito Puente and Celia Cruz.

One of the film’s most exciting anecdotes involves Desi Arnaz Jr., who makes a cameo as his father, the legendary Desi Arnaz. His appearance in the movie, performing “Babalu” alongside the Castillo brothers, not only adds a sense of historical depth but also bridges the film’s celebration of Latin culture with a real icon of Latin-American television and music history.