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?
