Mambo Café

Nydia (Thalia), a student at Boston University, comes home to Spanish Harlem between semesters. Her mother and father own the small Mambo Cafe where business is slow. To give their restaurant a higher profile, the owners invite a mobster to the restaurant. Their hope is that he will be rubbed out in their establishment and that the notoriety will improve their cash flow. Meanwhile, Nydia thinks she's in love with a snooty college student, even though handsome homeboy Manny holds her in high esteem. Will the family's plans succeed?

This movie invites viewers to enjoy a good laugh and a good feeling, even considering the darker elements of the plot. The restaurant's owners are a hard-working duo with plenty of charm and grit. Likewise, Thalia is utterly beautiful and enthralling as the daughter with man trouble. Then, too, the setting allows the viewer to experience an environment that may be different from his or her own. Recommended for romantic comedy fans and comedy fans in general. A fun evening of entertainment awaits those who seek it out at the video store or library.

About the only good thing about this film is that it has apparently put an end to Thalia acting career. You might think that anything Paul Rodriguez and Danny Aiello are in on can't be all bad, but this one comes close. I fast forwarded through over half the movie, and I still didn't miss anything (except maybe the chance to see a good film). An intriguing premise falls apart under the weight of a witless script and wooden performances. Just say no.

The theme of this movie could be interesting because I don't think there are a lot of light comedies using the scenario of the latin people living in New York. The story could be potentially funny, but in this case they try it too hard and simply don't make it happen. The acting doesn't help either, Thalia is just awful trying to portray a puertorrican from the Bronx, when she barely knows how to speak English(the accent and slang are so fake). I think it could have MAYBE worked better if they had cast someone like J. Lopez or any other latin actress.

Puerto Rican family with nice restaurant in Spanish Harlem can't attract enough customers to keep creditors at bay. Another restaurant with a recent mob hit has lines waiting for tables. Word on the street is that Fat Tony, local mob guy, is about to go down. You fill in the blanks. The real chemistry is in the young leads, who are excellent, along with Danny Aiello as a really wacky mob guy. Sometimes similar to Big Fat Greek Wedding - watching an average day with this cast would be fun, the plot doesn't really matter. Give it a look.

Mambo Cafe did what it was supposed to, which was to introduce Latin singer and actress Thalia to a new audience. Thalia is one of Mexico's biggest star. Her albums and soap operas has been sold in many different countries. Thalia gave a great performance, for someone who was barely learning the English language.The made for TV movie has a good plot to keep you attached to your seat. Mambo Cafe is funny and entertaining. I would like to see Thalia in more movies, I think she has great potential. Paul Rodriguez gives the performance that he is known for. His great comedic timing will keep you laughing. Mambo Cafe also introduced actor Rick Gonzalez. Gonzalez in known for his work in The Rookie, Old School, War of the Worlds, and in the upcoming films Pulse and First Snow.