My Family (1995)

This epic film traces over three generations an immigrant family's trials, tribulations, tragedies and triumphs. Jose and Maria, the first generation, come to Los Angeles, meet, marry, face... See full summary »

Director:

Gregory Nava

Writers:

Gregory Nava, Anna Thomas

Stars:

Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, Edward James Olmos

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward James Olmos	...	Paco
Rafael Cortes	...	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

Storyline

This epic film traces over three generations an immigrant family's trials, tribulations, tragedies and triumphs. Jose and Maria, the first generation, come to Los Angeles, meet, marry, face deportation all in the 1930s. They establish their family in East L.A., and their children Chucho, Paco, Memo, Irene, Toni, and Jimmy deal with youth culture and the L.A. police in the 1950s. As the second generation become adults in the 1960s, the focus shifts to Jimmy, his marriage to Isabel (a Salvadorian refugee), their son, and Jimmy's journey to becoming a responsible parent.

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | 1950s | lowrider | death in childbirth | death of wife | 

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Taglines:

Births, weddings and funerals. Madness, mayhem and murder.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 May 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cafe con leche

Filming Locations:

Agoura Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$11,079,373

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Playhouse, American Zoetrope, Majestic Films International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo DTS

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Paco: Cihuateteo. That's what my mother called them. The souls of women who had died giving birth. They became Cihuateteo, the spirits who helped the sun to set. Without Cihuateteo, the sun would not be able to rest.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Best Films of 1995 (1995)

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Soundtracks

Angel baby
Written by Rosalie Hamlin
Performed by Jeanette Jurado
Produced by Mike Piccirillo
Published by Windswetp Pacific
Jeanette Jurado courtesy of Arista Records

User Reviews

Que bueno

"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-)