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.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 2 nominations
- Acha
- (as Robert Martin Marquez)
- Young Montoya Santana
- (as Panchito Gomez)
- Street Mechanic
- (as Alex Solis)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTwo 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.
- GoofsThe lingo/street talk many of the gang members use didn't start to be used until the late '70s or early '80s.
- 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.
- SoundtracksEl Gaban
Arrangement by Alfredo Lopez, Abel Rocha, Fernando Nataren
Performed by Quetzlcoatl
It's a stoic and intense portrayal that Olmos gives to his own direction. Olmos did his own research for the part, but more than that he lived it being born and growing up in the Mexican American area of East Los Angeles.
In the story Olmos and his two running buddies, William Forsythe and Pepe Serna while in prison found a Mexican American gang, La Primavera and in prison they pretty much are the Latino inmate population. As they gradually finish their sentences and are released the gang takes it shape and control of various rackets in the Barrio. Of course they also have to deal with other gangs, black gangs, Aryan Brotherhood, and some rival Chicano crews. That last sets in motion the downfall of Olmos.
The story is narrated in flashback by Olmos writing a letter to his younger brother while he's back in prison. It's a mournful plea for the kid not to make the same choices he did. American Me is a very good film, the personal project of a very talented man.
- bkoganbing
- Apr 19, 2009
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Mitt Amerika
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- 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
- Runtime2 hours 5 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1