The Mambo Kings

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The Mambo Kings ★★★ 1992 (R)

Armand and Banderas (in his first English speaking role) are Cesar and Nestor Castillo, two brothers who flee Cuba for New York City with dreams of hitting it big with their mambo music. Desi Arnaz Jr. gets to play his own dad in a funny and technical scene that leads to a climactic confrontation between the brothers. Good cast and great music make this one worthwhile. Based on the Pulitzer prizewinning novel “The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love” by Oscar Hijuelos. 100m/C VHS, DVD . Armand Assante, Antonio Banderas, Cathy Moriarty, Maruschka Detmers, Desi Arnaz Jr., Celia Cruz, Roscoe Lee Browne, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Tito Puente, Talisa Soto; D: Arne Glimcher; W: Cynthia Cidre; C: Michael Ballhaus; M: Robert Kraft, Carlos Franzetti.