My Family/Mi familia (1995) User Reviews

'My Family'

[rah604 · 8/10 · 26 April 2004]

'My Family' is a compelling tale spanning three generations about a family of Mexican origin living in Los Angeles. It starts with the father of the family, Jose Sanchez (terrifically played by Jacob Vargas), making a one year journey on foot from Mexico to Los Angeles. Once there, he meets and marries the love of his life, Maria (Jennifer Lopez, in an interesting performance). After, Maria survives a tragic separation, she and Jose settle in Los Angeles and raise a family of six.

There is a tremendous amount of expectation here, namely because Francis Ford Coppola, who crafted arguably the most exhilarating family saga in the Godfather pictures, is an executive producer. But, My Family is nowhere near in the same league as films like 'The Godfather'. Rather, 'My Family' turns out to be a great film that could have been better. One glaring flaw is in the script written by Gregory Nava and Anna Thomas is that too often, the script relies on tragedies to stir our emotions. Consequently, the emotion presented in the film feel fake at times. Particularly, in the scenes involving Jimmy attempting to bond with his only son, Carlitos.

Despite the missteps in the film, there are many positives to draw upon. The strong performances of the cast. Jimmy Smits, in particular, dominates the film with an intense and yet affecting performance. The film hardly ever succumbs to being a standard tear-jerker or phony. Instead, the film succeeds at creating a touching and provocative portrait of a family's struggles and tribulations in a world that hardly seems just.

A great peek into Mexican life

[Agent10 · 8/10 · 24 June 2002]

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.

Great epic story of three generations of a Mexican American family.

[cgvsluis · 8/10 · 9 May 2022]

This year for Cinco de Mayo I made pico de gallo, fresh guacamole, homemade soft tacos and a mango dessert...I couldn't think of a better film to share with my husband, who had never seen it, than Mi Familia. This is the film that won me over to Jimmy Smits, prior to seeing Mi Familia years ago I was not a big fan...and then I watched the clinic that he put on during this film and have been a fan ever since.

Mi Familia is loaded with star power...Edward James Olmos, Esai morales and Jimmy Smits...and that is just the men, young Maria is initially played by Jennifer Lopez and eventually by the phenomenal actress Jenny Gago. For me the most memorable storyline is between Jimmy (Jimmy Smits) and his wife Isabel (Elpidia Carillo)...they were both phenomenal, bonding over their shared stories of pain and loss.

This is an epic tale of three generations of one Mexican American family and it begins with the voyage (mainly on foot) of Jose from the heart of Mexico to his distant relative nicknamed El California, because when he was born his house was in Mexico...but now his home is officially in California. The story is narrated by Edward James Olmos, who plays the eldest son of Jose and wants to be a writer. Jose lives in East LA with El California and goes to work on the west side as a gardener where he meets Maria who is the nanny for a wealthy family. Maria and Jose don't have a lot but they are happy growing Beans in the front and corn in the back of their modest home which grows with their family as they have a son and then a daughter. During her third pregnancy Maria is picked up by INS and deported to the middle of Mexico, even though she was born and raised in America. Maria delivers their third child, a son named Chucho, in Mexico and then journeys on foot back to Jose and their home...a process that took two years! Jose and Maria end up with three more children after that Tina, Memo and the youngest Jimmy.

Without ruining the film their stories include gang violence, death, a restaurant, a lawyer, a nun, marriage, children, activism, jail and dancing!

I loved the storytelling aspects of this film and the Mexican folklore...but one of the best parts is the little window into history.

This is a wonderful story that has stood up to the test of time. I highly recommend watching it and I enjoyed it tremendously for our themed evening.

A wonderful scene

[Oscar-48 · 10 May 1999]

The following tender scene (in an otherwise male-oriented movie) is totally unexpected: Jimmy Smits is a macho and is busy with his car, his wife (Elpidia Carrillo) whom he only married so she wouldn't be deported, comes up to him and changes the music in the cassette-player. She tries to get him to dance with her, right there on the street. At first he doesn't want to, but the way by how she finally succeeds is really a must to see. He even asks her at the end of the dance "Will you teach me how to salsa?". For only this scene one should rent the video, the rest of the movie isn't bad either!

An epic saga about a Mexican American family in Los Angeles

[rigovega · 7/10 · 17 February 2019]

My Family is a warm story that is not so far from reality. Esai Morales does an outstanding performance as Chucho, a rebellious, mambo dancing pachucho, who is misunderstood by his own father. Edward James Olmos, Jimmy Smiths, and everyone else, are perfectly casted as well and none seem out of place. It is an epic saga about one family in Los Angeles, dreams, and what family is. This film has a lot of heart.

Liked it, will film a part 2

[dgraci20 · 9/10 · 10 April 2012]

This one hit close to home with me, especially with the characters. Chucho is a fun character that seemed to just be chased by bad luck, and some Hispanics, especially the older ones, are extremely superstitious. But it was funny how close the Chucho character was to the character that same actor played on "La Bamba." And Jimmy... well, that character brings so many memories of one of my cousins life... who has been in and out of prison... he's crude, rude, and can be ruthless, but will help you any way he can, especially if you're family. As a filmmaker, I'm hoping to bring a non-integrated part 2 to this, but the background of the adventure of my lineage is exciting on both father and mother's side. It'll be filled with the unexplained, the pain and drama, Spanish royal connections, and treasure.... which still remains hidden to this day.

Que bueno

[=G= · 6/10 · 6 May 2003]

"My Family" peers into the lives of three generations of an East L.A. Mexican-American family moving through time from generation to generation. Focusing mostly on the core family group which chooses to reside in the same house in the barrio and spending most of the time with the male family members, the film gives a skewed view of the Mexican-American condition. However, it does a good job of showing what life was like for one family albeit melodramatic, stereotypical, and contrived for dramatic value. Lacking the verve, passion, color, and creativity of Showtime's "Resurrection Blvd" (though both share some cast members), "My Family" is an okay middle-of-the-marquee watch for anyone interested in Mex-Am issues or family stories in general. (B-)

Emotional roller coaster...

[stephani-2 · 9/10 · 29 September 1998]

I really enjoyed this movie. If you know anything about Mexican culture, it should really make you laugh! Of course, it also has its moments of tragedy but somehow everything ends up being okay. I liked it! It's definitely a movie that makes you feel!

Esai Morales, Chucho, does an excellent job! I think it's some of the best acting I've ever seen him do.

I hope you see it!

A very clichéd film, but also very entertaining.

[TOMNEL · 7/10 · 11 January 2007]

I did not expect to enjoy this film as much as I did. From what it sounded like, it was another drama about how a family struggles to stay together, and it was, but it was a very entertaining one. The movie follows various members of a family around through the years 1926 to 1980. I'd almost classify this as an anthology because of many different story lines based around various members of the family. The first story is Jose Sanchez's struggle to get in to the United States, and how he met Maria (when younger played by Jennifer Lopez). The second story, set 25 years later, is about daughter Irene's wedding and son Chucho's gang life. The third story, set another 20 years later, is about son Jimmy and when he gets out of prison, gets married, has a son, goes back in prison and tries to make up with his 5 year old estranged son raised by his grandparents. I wouldn't say that this is Acadamy Award material but it is still a very compelling story that had me wanting to know more about the family as the stories progressed.

My rating: *** out of ****. 122 mins. R for a scene of violence, sex, language.

Fantastic Latino movie

[Vitor-18 · 10/10 · 25 January 2002]

This is one of the best Latino movies I ever see. Story is great and the problems are real. The characters are well played. If you like "the goodfather" here's the hispanic version!

story of a family

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 20 August 2023]

A period piece from coppola. A grand epic tale, about a mexican family, starting in the 1920s, and their future generations. Narrated by edward olmos. Jennifer lopez, esai morales, jimmy smits. A lot of the conversation is tongue in cheek, and many tall tales, told to impress the youngsters. But the audience is in on the joke. The strength is the positive message it has for mexicans, and their desire to work hard and make an honest living. But there's so much spanglish and repetition used, it's almost insulting. I'm sure it's a sign of the times, since there probably weren't many mexican american actors shown on tv or in the movies back then. This struggle is symbolized by chucho, who just wants to make money, legally or otherwise. Papi tries to straighten him out, but chucho is too young to understand. Warning... racial slurs and swearing in english and spanish, so not for the young ones! It's pretty good! A little over the top in some spots. Directed by gregory nava. This film was nominated for best make-up, and nava had been nominated for el norté, ten years earlier.

I will watch this again - and again

[mathmaniac · 10/10 · 14 June 2019]

When I gave away my videocassettes, 'My Family' was included in that lot. I recently bought the DVD just so I can watch this film again, with all its crises and dramas and romances. That's what life is all about! Few people have a bland existence in which their only stresses are financial. Love and family loyalty intrude!

There's no use comparing this to a Godfather-type saga. Apples and oranges. But: there are so many surprises and developments as the generations grow up and go out into the world. Some violent. Some beautiful.

Jimmy Smits did a wonderful job in this movie. He's got the acting chops and he's smart enough NOT to show everything on his face, when so much must be held inside. Yet, the emotion seeps out gently and it's sweet, tender, and quite moving.

The Oscar was for make-up.

[janfilmfan · 5/10 · 18 June 2006]

"My mother believed everyone who got out of the house left something on the empty chairs," or something like this the narrator gives us. It seems that director Nava has watched a few hundred movies, and picked out one or two things from each of them. Be ready for a bunch of cliché's, as in words, situations and play. Maybe when you've not seen that much it will be a joy to watch. If you've seen the same films as Nava, it's getting harder. Me and my wife couldn't help sighing out loud with another birth or death. The Oscar was for make-up. As in an old Dutch pop record: "You mind about your make up, but you better make up your mind."

'My Family'

[rah604 · 8/10 · 26 April 2004]

'My Family' is a compelling tale spanning three generations about a family of Mexican origin living in Los Angeles. It starts with the father of the family, Jose Sanchez (terrifically played by Jacob Vargas), making a one year journey on foot from Mexico to Los Angeles. Once there, he meets and marries the love of his life, Maria (Jennifer Lopez, in an interesting performance). After, Maria survives a tragic separation from her husband, they both settle down in Los Angeles and raise a family of six.

There is a tremendous amount of expectation here, namely because Francis Ford Coppola, who crafted arguably the most exhilarating family saga in the Godfather pictures, is an executive producer. But, My Family is nowhere near in the same league as films like 'The Godfather'. Rather, 'My Family' turns out to be a great film that could have been better. One glaring flaw is in the script written by Gregory Nava and Anna Thomas. Too often, the script relies on tragedies to stir our emotions. Consequently, the emotion presented in the film feels fake at times. Particularly, in the scenes involving Jimmy attempting to bond with his only son, Carlitos.

Despite the missteps in the film, there are many positives to draw upon. The strong performances of the cast. Jimmy Smits, in particular, dominates the film with an intense and yet affecting performance. The film hardly ever succumbs to being a standard tear-jerker or phony. Instead, the film succeeds at creating a touching and provocative portrait of a family's struggles and tribulations in a world that hardly seems just.

Rating: (8/10)

So much depths to this film

[JeffDamulira · 10/10 · 8 July 2023]

I never got bored from watching this film, I was instantly hooked from beginning to the end. Surprisingly, if the film is long and you rarely take breaks, then you know that the film is going to be a banging film. Whenever you watch a usual family theme type of films, the script writers and directors tends to focus within one generation, and not showing the multidimensional aspects of each characters within a family. However, the constant surprise and multidimensional side of different actors and actresses is what keeps you hooked. The depths of chucho was clearly shown from the fun, vibrant, and fluctuations of human emotions which was demonstrated in conflicts with his rivals, which is the underlying shadow of a person. The transition of Jimmy and Isabel was captivating to watch, especially the powerful scene after they did their salsa and started to opened up to each other about their inner demons and trauma, that was a powerful scene. Nevertheless, there were many interesting scenes. It's such a amazing film.

The Overall Summary of the Movie

[irisjmejia · 9/10 · 19 December 2009]

This movie is by far one of the best Latino stories I have ever seen. True, the movie does use stereotypes (such as Jimmy and his prison life) Chuco and his gang life which eventually leads to his death, and of course who can forget the backyard wedding and the large family living in a small home. However, this movie is not meant to be a representation of ALL Latino's everywhere, rather its meant to merely tell one families story and struggles in the United States. The comments stating "This movie does not represent Latinos everywhere!!" are absolutely correct. And it does not represent Latinos, but it does help you learn about one family you learn to almost care about by the end of the film. Going back to the story itself, I can honestly say that the movie itself was very well made. Jimmy Smits performance was superb and the movie was very focused on all the family members. The film provides a sense of hope at the end, basically trying to get across that while life is full of problems they are manageable. Also, the fact that the movie also involved a different Latino culture, such as the Central American Isabel helped viewers understand that even among Latino's there are differences in cultures. I would definitely recommend this movie to someone willing to learn about one Mexican American families struggle.

grand Latino opera

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 5 February 2016]

Paco (Edward James Olmos) recounts three generations of his Mexican-American family. His father José Sanchez walked to L.A. where he marries his mother Maria. During the Great Depression in 1933, Maria is forcibly deported despite being a citizen. She is pregnant and Chucho is born in Mexico. It took her two years to return. In the late 50s, the large family is starting to clash. José kicks out his rebellious son Chucho (Esai Morales) out of the home. Chucho gets into trouble and killed by the police. Paco served in the Navy. Twenty more years later, youngest son Jimmy (Jimmy Smits) gets out of prison for armed robbery. Daughter Toni has left the nunnery and married priest David Ronconi (Scott Bakula). They're concerned about Salvadoran refugee Isabel.

The movie can feel a little rambling stretching out over such a long time period centering on the various characters. Each section has a compelling story. The first section is the epic journey for Jennifer Lopez. The second part is Esai Morales and the third is Jimmy Smits. Together, it paints a grand portrait of an American family.

A great work

[LordBlacklist · 10/10 · 31 May 2006]

Mi Familia is a mini masterpiece. It uses all manner of genre styles to tell its story and amazingly it works. This is a film with so much passion and significance it is almost tiring to praise it for fear of running out of breath. You could call this film an epic or a saga since it deals with many generations of the same family. The film never shies away from making a social comment or two and deals directly with the issues at hand in whatever time period it happens to take place in. The family has never had an easy life, but the closing statement rings true in that despite the hardships they have been made to endure they have lead an incredibly good life. More than twice this family is broken up by the racial hatred and civilly unjust policies of their times, but they always stick together and no matter what happens or who does what this family is truly unbreakable. All performances are fantastic but there is one the really sticks out. Jimmy Smits has proved time and again that he is a capable actor but his work in this film is simply amazing.

Family importance

[imdb-646 · 10/10 · 15 November 2000]

This is a wonderful and moving picture. Even the hardest person will shed a tear. Edward James Olmos is a great narrator. The accents are great, as well as the multi-lingual conversations.

Interesting portrayal of a family

[jamesnasso · 9/10 · 24 July 2002]

Very interesting film, mainly because it managed to avoid the cliches and the endless navel gazing that most movies with that theme would fall into. The story flowed gracefully and realistically and showcased a great cast of actors in unpretentious dramatic situations.

Shocker that was watched for school...

[h1gh-nrg · 9/10 · 19 April 1999]

All I can say is wow! Francis Ford Coppola did an amazing job on this film when he cast the crew to show a struggling but strong family growing up in the middle part of the 20th century. The acting was excellent, the script was excellent, and there was never a dull moment in the movie. If you need to do anything about Mexican culture for a school report, I would highly recommend this movie!

An epic about a Mexican family

[preppy-3 · 8/10 · 29 June 2003]

Movie follows Jose and Maria who emigrate to California in the 1920s, fall in love and get married. It follows their lives and their childrens up to 1995.

An epic--the first American movie to show a multigenerational portrait of a Mexican family. It's not perfect--some parts are romanticized (I find it hard to believe that the house of a pretty poor family looks that good) and some of the situations are really melodramatic.

Still, the script is good and believable and (with one exception) all the acting is good--especially the very talented Esai Morales. His was a very cliched role (the hot headed Latino brother) but he gave it depth and feeling and acted the hell out of it. When his character goes away the movie lost something. Unfortunately he's replaced by Jimmy Smits who gives a real terrible performance--he's so emotionless all the time! His prescence really drags down the last section of the film, but all the other actors keep it going.

This definetely looks like the inspiration for the (unfortunately) cancelled Showtime series "Resurrection Blvd". It's just a little better than the series and some of the same actors appear in both (Morales played a hot-headed latino in the series too).

Engrossing and one of a kind. Also it's kind of fun to see Jennifer Lopez in a small role before she hit it big. A definete must-see...it doesn't matter if you're Latino or not.

One of the best Latino movies I have ever scene

[morales_zoraida · 10/10 · 13 May 2004]

Contains Spoiler I really love this movie so much I bought the DVD. Edward James Olmos is so good as the father of the family. He acts just like my father used to when we were that age of the people in the movie. In fact, all the acting is really very good. The music in this movie is very authentic. The struggles of the family over so many years really made me cry at times -- what they went through was really so tough. The Mexican countryside is also very authentic too from what I can remember of it. Also, the part where the mother was having a baby, only she died instead -- that was really very good too -- and also reminded me of some people I used to know back when we lived in Mexico. This is a really terrific movie especially if you are also Latino actually.

I was intrigued

[Di-12 · 9/10 · 15 January 1999]

The story of a Spanish family going through the routine did not interest me until I found out Michael DeLorenzo was in it. But his such short lived character did nothing for the fact that the movie had many interesting and notable parts to it. Jimmy Smits was ever crazed not like I was used to seeing him from his lawyer days. As always James Edward Olmos has been my favorite. But it was good to see the portrayal of hispanics in this long-winded film. Issues, issues, issues. I put this at the top of the list for movies of this type because it gave a break down of each character and made them hold their weight. I would definitely recommend it as it served the hispanic communtiy very well.

Seemed Mildly Awful

[Bash · 30 June 1999]

The best person in this movie was Esai Morales who played Chucho. Too bad he dies early in this movie and Jimmy Smits looked like he was taking Chucho's place. It did have some violence that I have seen, quite awful, especially the tragedies. I hate tragedies. But it doesn't show violence at the end of the movie like most others. Plus I can't imagine a child being disgraceful to his parent.