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IMDbPro

American Me

  • 19921992
  • RR
  • 2h 5m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
9.5K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
8,873
468
William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)
BiographyCrimeDrama
A Mexican-American Mafia kingpin is released from prison, falls in love for the first time, and grows introspective about his gangster lifestyle.A Mexican-American Mafia kingpin is released from prison, falls in love for the first time, and grows introspective about his gangster lifestyle.A Mexican-American Mafia kingpin is released from prison, falls in love for the first time, and grows introspective about his gangster lifestyle.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
9.5K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
8,873
468
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Edward James Olmos
    • Writers
      • Floyd Mutrux(story)
      • Desmond Nakano(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Edward James Olmos
      • William Forsythe
      • Sal Lopez
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Edward James Olmos
    • Writers
      • Floyd Mutrux(story)
      • Desmond Nakano(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Edward James Olmos
      • William Forsythe
      • Sal Lopez
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 59User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    American Me
    Trailer 1:48
    American Me

    Photos37

    Richard Coca, Panchito Gómez, and Steve Wilcox in American Me (1992)
    Edward James Olmos in American Me (1992)
    William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, Pepe Serna, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)
    Edward James Olmos, Evelina Fernández, Ken Medlock, and Rolando Molina in American Me (1992)
    American Me (1992)
    William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)
    William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)
    William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)
    William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)
    William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)
    William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)
    William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edward James Olmos
    Edward James Olmos
    • Montoya Santana
    William Forsythe
    William Forsythe
    • JD
    Sal Lopez
    Sal Lopez
    • Pedro Santana
    Vira Montes
    • Esperanza Santana
    Roberto Martín Márquez
    • Acha
    • (as Robert Martin Marquez)
    Dyana Ortelli
    Dyana Ortelli
    • Yolanda
    Joe Aubel
    • Tattoo Artist
    Rob Garrett
    • Zoot Riot Bystander
    Lance August
    Lance August
    • Young Sailor
    Cody Glenn
    Cody Glenn
    • Older Sailor
    Don Pugsley
    Don Pugsley
    • Police Officer
    Panchito Gómez
    • Young Montoya Santana
    • (as Panchito Gomez)
    Albert Joe Medina Jr.
    • Street Mechanic
    Alex Solís
    • Street Mechanic
    • (as Alex Solis)
    Raymond Amezquita
    • Abuelito
    Steve Wilcox
    Steve Wilcox
    • Young JD
    Richard Coca
    Richard Coca
    • Young Mundo
    Javier Castellanos
    • Hazard Kid
    • Director
      • Edward James Olmos
    • Writers
      • Floyd Mutrux(story) (screenplay)
      • Desmond Nakano(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Two of the most dangerous street gangs of East L.A., Il Grande Hazard and MC Forceros, called a truce to allow director Edward James Olmos to shoot the movie on their turfs.
    • Goofs
      The lingo/street talk many of the gang members use didn't start to be used until the late 70's or early 80's.
    • Quotes

      Montoya Santana: I hear Little Puppet's name is on a piece of paper, ese.

      J.D.: I want you to cosign it.

      Montoya Santana: I'm taking it off, ese.

      J.D.: That punk got you kicked back in the hole, set us all back. Now he's running around talking loud shit about how he wants out of La Eme. His number's up, homes.

      Montoya Santana: I said I'm taking it off, ese.

      J.D.: What's gonna happen is gonna happen. Don't try to stop it. You understand me? I'm asking you, carnal.

      Montoya Santana: Is that where it's gotten to, ese?

      J.D.: Brothers are talking about you.

      Montoya Santana: What are they saying, ese?

      J.D.: They're saying that you're not showing them anything.

      Montoya Santana: You know, a long time ago, two best homeboys, two kids, were thrown into juvie. They were scared, and they thought they had to do something to prove themselves. And they did what they had to do. They thought they were doing it to gain respect for their people, to show the world that no one could take their class from them. No one had to take it from us, ese. Whatever we had... we gave it away. Take care of yourself, carnal.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: My Cousin Vinny/Article 99/American Me/The Lawnmower Man/Shakes the Clown/Daughters of the Dust (1992)
    • Soundtracks
      El Gaban
      Arrangement by Alfredo Lopez, Abel Rocha, Fernando Nataren

      Performed by Quetzlcoatl

    User reviews59

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Watch this movie!!
    American Me tells the story about the creation of one of the biggest hispanic gangs in California, the Mexican Mafia. It tells the story from the viewpoint of Santana, the co-creator of the gang, from his parents violent youth all the way to the time he spends in prison. An enthralling look at gang violence and how it effects our youth as it becomes a truly vicious cycle. Outstanding performances by James-Olmos and Forsythe really lend credit to the movie. There are some moments of extreme violence, so it may not be suitable for all people. A rating of 9 out of 10 was given.
    helpful•21
    2
    • VCRanger
    • Apr 23, 1999

    FAQ1

    • What is the name of that arrangement playing during the nostalgic 1940's scene of this film in which Santana's mother is taking the street car?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 13, 1992 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Mitt Amerika
    • Filming locations
      • California Institution for Men - 14901 Central Avenue, Chino, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Hivemind
      • Olmos Productions
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $16,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $13,086,430
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,378,100
      • Mar 15, 1992
    • Gross worldwide
      • $13,086,430
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 5 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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    William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)
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