REVIEW: ‘Mambo Cool’
Chris Gude’s Mambo Cool is an interesting, albeit difficult film to watch. The one-hour drama is more experimental than anything else, but woven within its rich fabric are heartfelt moments of humanity and survival.
The movie follows a small community of people in Medellín, Colombia. Drugs figure prominently, but most of the inhabitants of this small corner of the world are simply living, talking and wiling away the time. Some of them take cocaine, or sell it, and others try to make a peso any way they can.
The dialogue appears to be improvisational, although no doubt Gude, credited as writer and director, had an idea of what each scene needed to accomplish. If it is actual dialogue, then much credit should be bestowed upon this first-time filmmaker because the conversations, or lack thereof, feel natural and spontaneous.
His direction is unique, with many closeups of faces and objects. There are few wide shots in the entire one-hour movie, and his lens is so finely focused that at times it can be difficult to figure out who is talking or what is being viewed.
There are recurring characters, including a therapist and drug dealer. They are not cast as heroes or villains, simply smalltime leaders in this downtrodden universe. Other supporting roles come and go, much like life.
Perhaps the most memorable element of these few cinematic minutes is the music. Salsa emanates from the streets and apartments, and characters sometimes break out into a dance. The musical energy is never enough to placate the sorrowfulness of the dialogue and the fate of the characters, but it doesn’t hurt.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Mambo Cool (2013), written and directed by Chris Gude, is now available on DVD and also available on IndiePix Unlimited on Amazon. Running time: 60 minutes. Click here for more information. Rating: 
