My Family (1995)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Gregory Nava

Writers (WGA):

Gregory Nava (written by) &
Anna Thomas (written by)

Release Date:

3 May 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Three generations of dreams.

Plot:

Traces over three generations an immigrant family's trials, tribulations, tragedies, and triumphs. Maria and Jose...

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | 1920s | Brother Sister Relationship | Coming Of Age | Father Son Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Edward James Olmos	...	Paco
Rafael Cortés	...	Roberto (as Rafael Cortes)
Ivette Reina	...	Trini
Amelia Zapata	...	Roberto's Girlfriend
Jacob Vargas	...	Young Jose
Emilio Del Haro	...	Oxcart Driver
Abel Woolrich	...	Oxcart Driver
León Singer	...	El Californio (as Leon Singer)
Rosalee Mayeux	...	Maria's Employer
Jennifer Lopez	...	Young Maria
Alicia del Lago	...	Maria's Aunt
Thomas Rosales Jr.	...	The Boatman (as Thomas Rosales)
Anthony Gonzalez	...	Baby Paco
Michael Gonzalez	...	Little Paco
Esai Morales	...	Chucho

Also Known As:

Cafe con leche
East L.A. (UK) (video title)
My Family, Mi Familia

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language, some graphic violence and a scene of sexuality.

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo | DTS

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Hong Kong:IIB | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Agoura Hills, California, USA

Company:

American Playhouse

Trivia:

The final scene is duplicated shot-for-shot from the final scene of Apur Sansar (1959).

Goofs:

Continuity: When Isabella is at the Sanchez home, we see a medium shot of Paco with a bowl of popcorn, and Memo. In front of them is a tray of taquitos. But a minute or two later, Irene brings out the same tray and sets it down on the coffee table in front of them.

Quotes:

Paco: Everyone said the police had killed Chucho, but my mother never believed it. She knew that he was meant to die at the river. Chucho's life had been on borrowed time, but you cannot cheat fate forever. The spirit of the river had returned to claim what was rightfuly his.

Movie Connections:

References Apur Sansar (1959)

Soundtrack:

Rosa de Castilla

A great peek into Mexican life

Mexican culture has rarely been pictured in the Hollywood cinema (even though they we are the biggest minority in the country!), but this film probably rates as the best Mexican-themed film (until further notice). The evolution of the family's house really makes this an interesting image in regards to the lives of the family. The intersecting lives of the family are all well thought out, even though it all seems rather convenient they all have these different personas and political aspirations. When I first watched this film, I thought it was one of the greatest movies of all time. Instead of portraying Mexicans as lazy, this film really encompassed the cultural aspects and fears of the common Mexican man. A great film to watch, even if you aren't Mexican.