Mango Tango

First the positive: the first five minutes, in a comic-book-meets-Allen kind of way aren't that bad. But really only the first five minutes. The film does do what's on the tin: there's a great deal of tangoes and mangoes. I may suggest, tho, that an even more apt title would be "Me, myself and I" as the filmmaker can't resist putting herself in every single shot: she's practically photobombing her own movie. I get the premise: to reveal the grotesque side of love stories through a heavy use of symbolism. Sadly, such good premise is betrayed almost immediately, and all we get is a lot of little boring dance numbers and wheelbarrows of self-indulgent rubbish. There are several recurring themes which don't mean absolutely anything: apart from the regular mango eating and tango dancing, we get excruciatingly long sequences, for example, of the protagonist just walking on a beach. Or frowning. Or looking in the far distance.

The bottom line is: you can't film yourself doing mundane things for one hour and a half and call it an art-house movie.

I had the pleasure of seeing "Mango Tango" at a movie theater in Berlin, Germany, where I've been living for a few years now. I really enjoyed being able to see the film in the original English version and was struck that the German audience was very responsive to the humor of the film. The writer/ director Ms. Hettinger was present at the screening. I loved the film, its originality, unique take on the New York singles scene and "looking for love in all the wrong places" which a lot of people can relate to, I'm sure. It is definitely an art house film. But rather than labeling it, it's a surreal, entertaining and visually very gratifying work. Wonderful acting by the lead actors, including Ms. Hettinger's performance, who manages to show a subtly and not so subtly nuanced performance. I loved Michael E. Knight, Emmy award winner and star of all My children as a fake preposterous Shaman with a light Southern accent. Many of the scenes are so hilarious: the Iowasca scene, a tantric sex scene in a way I've never seen before and not for the faint of heart and coconut rolling rituals to bust one's "karma". I love Ms. Hettinger's self deprecating humor and the deus ex machina ending which according to screen writing guru Robert McKee is a "no no", but really works in this absurd and touching film. But isn't life absurd most of the time?

I had the opportunity of seeing Mango Tango at a recent festival. This is Ms. Hettinger's first film and we look forward to seeing what else she has in store.

The story follows the loves and travails of a young woman seeking her true love soul mate, as we follow this woman from one bad relationship to another, the coda is provided by our heroine eating mangoes in the tub. The tango part of the title comes from her work a day profession which is that of dance instructor and competitive ballroom/tango dancer.

At times it feels as though the story veers off into odd sub plots, but at its heart is the age old search for love in the large and slightly tilted world.

She has a singular vision and a lovely warm hearted touch in her writing.

It also contains one of the most acrobatic sex scenes we have ever witnessed.

Go see Mango Tango.

James Gettys -

I got to see MANGO TANGO at the Queens International Film Festival where it was nominated for best Screenplay and Best Director for Marianne Hettinger. As far as I know, Marianne Hettinger directed, wrote, produced and acted in this film which turns out to be a strong feature film debut. The film moved me. It's about the search of a Manhattan dancer for the ideal mate. Instead of finding him she ends up with a bunch of neurotic, crazy guys. Not till the end does she realize that her strength and love lie within her and are not 'out there'. Ms. Hettinger reminds me of a female Woody Allen, she has her own quirky humor and style and her acting is superb. There was a lot of laughter in the audience until the film turned darker and more surreal after the first half and reminded me of many lost souls in a big city who will trust any therapist or healer but themselves. I also enjoyed a cameo by Michael E. Knight of 'All My Children' as a Southern Shaman- con artist, and Patrick Stephenson as her Ex-boyfriend. Great sound track and the dance pieces were beautiful. I felt moved by this film, that was done with a lot of talent and heart and I hope that it will find a distributor because it deserves to be seen by many!

I am very impressed with this 1st effort by this extremely talented and stunningly beautiful director-writer-actress-dancer-singer-pianist !! I was blown away by the originality of the writing, the quirckiness of the humor and the character development, the bravery of the actors, the quality and integration of the music, the authentic and honest choreography, and the cleanliness and simplicity of the cinematography. I laughed , and sighed, and felt my heart open to the sadness and frustration and joy and exhiliration of this woman's life situation around men. And her efforts to process and grow through these experiences was a pleasure and honor to watch. The willingness of this lead actress to "expose" all parts of herself to us all is commendable.! The integration of fantasy and reality , I believe , served us as an audience, in keeping us involved in the lead character's inner thoughts and some of her logic for the choices she made . I look forward to seeing the sophomore project by this director..