The Mambo Kings

The Mambo Kings
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Arne Glimcher
Screenplay by	Cynthia Cidre
Based on	The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos
Produced by	Arnon Milchan Arne Glimcher
Starring	Armand Assante Antonio Banderas Cathy Moriarty Maruschka Detmers
Cinematography	Michael Ballhaus
Edited by	Claire Simpson
Production companies	Le Studio Canal+ Regency Enterprises Alcor Films Northwest Productions[1]
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release dates	February 7, 1992 (1992-02-07) (MIFF) February 28, 1992 (1992-02-28) (United States)
Running time	104 minutes
Countries	United States France[1]
Language	English
Budget	$15.5 million[2]
Box office	$6.7 million[3]

The Mambo Kings is a 1992 musical drama film based on the 1989 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos. The film was directed and produced by Arne Glimcher, and stars Armand Assante, Antonio Banderas, Cathy Moriarty and Maruschka Detmers. Set in the early 1950s, the story follows Cesar (Assante) and Nestor Castillo (Banderas), brothers and aspiring musicians who find success and stardom after fleeing from Havana, Cuba to New York City to escape danger. The film marks Glimcher's directing debut, and features Banderas in his first English-language role.

Glimcher acquired the film rights one year before the novel was published and hired Cynthia Cidre to write the script. The film was rejected by several studios, and after an unsuccessful pre-production at Universal Pictures, the project moved to Warner Bros. The production was allocated a budget of $15.5 million jointly financed by Warner Bros., Le Studio Canal+ and Regency Enterprises. The film was shot on location in Los Angeles, California, with principal photography beginning in March 1991, and concluding after 50 days.

The Mambo Kings premiered at the Miami International Film Festival on February 7, 1992. It opened in limited release on February 28, 1992 and grossed $6.7 million during its North American theatrical run. Critical reaction was mostly positive, with reviewers praising Glimcher's direction, the story, music and visuals. The film received Oscar, Golden Globe Award and Grammy nominations for its original song "Beautiful Maria of My Soul".