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American Me

  • 19921992
  • RR
  • 2h 5m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
9.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)
  • Biography
  • Crime
  • Drama
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
9.4K
YOUR RATING
  • 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
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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 Santanaas Montoya Santana
    William Forsythe
    William Forsythe
    • JDas JD
    Sal Lopez
    Sal Lopez
    • Pedro Santanaas Pedro Santana
    Vira Montes
    • Esperanza Santanaas Esperanza Santana
    Roberto Martín Márquez
    • Achaas Acha
    • (as Robert Martin Marquez)
    Dyana Ortelli
    Dyana Ortelli
    • Yolandaas Yolanda
    Joe Aubel
    • Tattoo Artistas Tattoo Artist
    Rob Garrett
    • Zoot Riot Bystanderas Zoot Riot Bystander
    Lance August
    Lance August
    • Young Sailoras Young Sailor
    Cody Glenn
    Cody Glenn
    • Older Sailoras Older Sailor
    Don Pugsley
    Don Pugsley
    • Police Officeras Police Officer
    Panchito Gómez
    • Young Montoya Santanaas Young Montoya Santana
    • (as Panchito Gomez)
    Albert Joe Medina Jr.
    • Street Mechanicas Street Mechanic
    Alex Solís
    • Street Mechanicas Street Mechanic
    • (as Alex Solis)
    Raymond Amezquita
    • Abuelitoas Abuelito
    Steve Wilcox
    Steve Wilcox
    • Young JDas Young JD
    Richard Coca
    Richard Coca
    • Young Mundoas Young Mundo
    Javier Castellanos
    • Hazard Kidas Hazard Kid
    • Director
      • Edward James Olmos
    • Writers
      • Floyd Mutrux(story) (screenplay)
      • Desmond Nakano(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    This epic depiction of thirty years of Chicano gang life in Los Angeles focuses on a teen named Santana who, with his friends Mundo and the Caucasian-but-acting-Hispanic J.D., form their own gang and are soon arrested for a break-in. Santana gets into trouble again and goes straight from reform school to prison, spending eighteen years there, and becoming leader of a powerful gang, both inside and outside the prison, while there. When he is finally released, he tries to make sense of the violence in his life, in a world much changed from when last he was in it. —Gary Dickerson <slug@mail.utexas.edu>
    • gay rape
    • hood
    • rape of a girl
    • rape and revenge
    • killing a rapist
    • 121 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • In prison they are the law. On the streets they are the power.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong violence and sensuality, and for language and drug content
    • Parents guide

    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
    Edward James Olmos Triumphs Again
    "American Me" stands on a course with "Stand And Deliver" among the finest performances by the ever talented Edward James Olmos. Other than starring in this film, Olmos also supplies the direction for this brutal and sometimes disturbing to watch prison and street drama. The story has to do with a well respected gang leader (Olmos) who is released from prison and tries to go straight but his many years of experience among leading street gangs comes back to haunt him. Olmos is highly effective in the role. The film may not be for all tastes but if you are a fan of Olmos or of the genre, it is highly recommended.
    helpful•4
    0
    • soranno
    • Oct 22, 2002

    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
      • Spanish
      • English
    • 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

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