Customer Reviews

Mad About Mambo [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love to watch this movie over and over again. It has great music. I was very sad to find there is no soundtrack to this movie but I have found a couple of the artists names that have songs on this movie if anyone is wondering. One of the songs "One Night" is from The Corrs and another song that is played at the end of the movie is called "Digge Dime" is from Burlap to Cashmere. You can find those songs on CD's here on Amazon. Check them out! Otherwise enjoy watching the movie over and over again like do. Wish they would release this on DVD at some point.

"Mad About Mambo" is a slight but fun film starring Keri Russell and William Ash as Lucy and Danny, two mismatched dance partners in modern day Belfast. Russell is a spoiled princess, Ash is a working class football (or soccer, depending on what side of the pond you're on) player, and together they overcome many obstacles, some of which pretty silly, before finally making their dreams come true.

Russell displays a surprising talent for dancing (and accents), holding herself like a dancer and managing the steps with ease. Ash is not as good; but then, he's not supposed to be. The supporting cast is great, with the standout being Danny's fashion-obsessed best friend. The dance sequences are decent but not stellar, with the real reason to see the film being the sweet portrait of Irish life.

For dance-film lovers, I would say this film is well-below "Strictly Ballroom" but well-above "Save the Last Dance". You may also enjoy it if you like romantic comedies or films about Ireland. Enjoy!

Grade: B/B-

I like ballroom dancing, and that's what I'm commenting on mostly. The plot is pretty typical teen romance -- boy gets girl. Not too bad, not too good.

Unfortunately, neither "Lucy" nor "Danny" could actually perform what they were supposedly dancing. "Lucy" at least could do a few spins and looked like she had taken some dance lessons. "Danny" looked pretty bad as a Latin dancer. In the beginning of the movie I thought he was doing it on purpose. But his dance skill didn't improve even in the finale. That's why the dance sequence was edited into mostly upper body and head shots, even though the action of Latin dancing is below the chest level.

Incidentally, the dancing feathered in the movie were samba and rumba. It would be better called Mad About Samba or Mad About Latin Dancing.

Cute romantic comedy - watch it for the romance, for the soccer, for the actors, but don't watch it for the dancing. You ballroom people will notice right away that there is no mambo in the movie, mostly samba and a bit of rumba. That said, you don't see much of the dancing: the cameras focus mostly on the faces and leave you wondering about the footwork. Also, very limited choreography - same steps over and over throughout the film.

Nevertheless, it's a fun movie overall, and the acting is very good.

Okay, so maybe you wouldn't watch the movie for the dancing alone -- though that part of it is fun. But the story is so touching. Check out how noble and selfless Danny's love is: how fearlessly he pursues uptown girl Lucy, but without allowing himself to be treated like a doormat. His character alone is worth watching the movie 100 times for...but the dancing and fun Latin beats add a lot as well.

When I first saw this movie I thought it was pretty silly. But I have to admit I looked forward to watching it again. Whenever I see it the movie gets better every time. The story's really cute- an Irish soccer player falls for a dancer (Keri Russell) whom he then tries to win over. Of course, the ending's very obvious but when you're in the mood for a romatic comedy who cares?

It was funny and it had a spin on it. I loved it, I thought it was a grate dance movie. I say this is a must see weather you are a dancer lover or even a dancer hatter you still will enjoy this movie.

"Ok not only was the VHS Movie advertise a movie as being in VERY GOOD condition when selling it....YES I know its Prev. Used but AT LEAST have the respect to REWIND the MOVIE! I got the movie & it clearly shows it was watched & NEVER rewound. " ALSO for paying almost $23.00 for this tape as again "VERY GOOD" condition, I found the sound quality to be BAD & some lines throughout the movie....I would NOT have labled this movie "MAD ABOUT MAMBO" as Very Good Condition & would NEVER have PAID that price for the quality I did get!

This movie about a working-class Irish soccer player and an upper-class girl who loves to dance is the equivalent of a good beach read. It is light, amusing fare that will let you escape your own life for awhile. Girl has an upper-class boyfriend, but doesn't love him. Boy has a dream and an eye for the girl. Dance brings them together. Happy ending, complete with fireworks. It is another take on Dirty Dancing without the dirt. It's sweet and a little silly, but a spirited feel-good romp.

I'd say this is more of a movie for teens and soccer fans. The plot isnt terrible but what made me like it is the soccer action. "Danny" is definatly a good player and his skills are impressive. So if you like soccer and maybe wanna pick up a few new moves, watch the movie.