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 »
Stay up on all the films and parties happening at the Tribeca and Cannes film festivals at our Festival Central hub.
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Connect with IMDb
Share this Rating
Title: My Family (1995)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
People who liked this also liked...
American Me
(1992)
Biography
|
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
Edward James Olmos
Stars:
Edward James Olmos,
William Forsythe,
Sal Lopez
Mi vida loca
(1993)
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
Allison Anders
Stars:
Angel Aviles,
Seidy Lopez,
Jacob Vargas
Boulevard Nights
(1979)
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
Michael Pressman
Stars:
Richard Yniguez,
Danny De La Paz,
Marta DuBois
Selena
(1997)
Biography
|
Drama
|
Music
Director:
Gregory Nava
Stars:
Jennifer Lopez,
Edward James Olmos,
Jon Seda
Blood In, Blood Out
(1993)
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
Taylor Hackford
Stars:
Damian Chapa,
Jesse Borrego,
Benjamin Bratt
Stand and Deliver
(1988)
Drama
Director:
Ramón Menéndez
Stars:
Edward James Olmos,
Estelle Harris,
Mark Phelan
El cantante
(2006)
Biography
|
Drama
|
Music
Director:
Leon Ichaso
Stars:
Marc Anthony,
Jennifer Lopez,
John Ortiz
La Bamba
(1987)
Biography
|
Drama
|
Music
Director:
Luis Valdez
Stars:
Lou Diamond Phillips,
Esai Morales,
Rosanna DeSoto
Blood and Wine
(1996)
Crime
|
Drama
|
Thriller
Director:
Bob Rafelson
Stars:
Jack Nicholson,
Michael Caine,
Stephen Dorff
My Little Girl
(1986)
Drama
Director:
Connie Kaiserman
Stars:
James Earl Jones,
Geraldine Page,
Mary Stuart Masterson
Bordertown
(2006)
Crime
|
Drama
|
Mystery
Director:
Gregory Nava
Stars:
Jennifer Lopez,
Antonio Banderas,
Maya Zapata
Selena: Greatest Hits
(Video 2003)
Music
Director:
Abraham Quintanilla Jr.
Stars:
Pete Astudillo,
Barrio Boyz,
Alvaro De Torres
Edit
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 | ... | ||
|
|
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
|
|
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (28) »
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. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
Plot Keywords:
marriage | death in childbirth | death of wife | topless female nudity | bare breasts |Taglines:
Three generations of dreams. See more »Genres:
DramaMotion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for strong language, some graphic violence and a scene of sexuality | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
3 May 1995 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Cafe con leche See more »Box Office
Budget:
$5,500,000 (estimated)Gross:
$11,079,373 (USA)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color
Edit
Written by Mike Piccirillo
Performed by Jeanette Jurado
Published by New Line Music
Jeanette Jurado courtesy of Arista Records
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Jennifer Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Constance Marie, Jacob Vargas, and Lupe Ontiveros later worked together again in the autobiography of the late Tejano singer Selena. See more »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. See more »Soundtracks
Are You Really SincereWritten by Mike Piccirillo
Performed by Jeanette Jurado
Published by New Line Music
Jeanette Jurado courtesy of Arista Records
See more »
'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)