My Family (1995)
88%RT Audience Score: 88%
Awards & Nominations: 10 wins & 5 nominations
My Family is a cinematic masterpiece that captures the essence of Mexican-American life with its rich exploration of family, sibling conflicts, and universal family ties. The film’s warmth, humor, and lush cinematography make it impossible to dislike despite its flaws. The first-rate cast of Latino actors, including Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, and Edward James Olmos, deliver outstanding performances that bring the characters to life. Director Gregory Nava’s attention to detail and his ability to capture the nuances of family dynamics make this film a must-see for anyone who appreciates intelligent, witty, and creative storytelling. While some critics may find fault with the film’s occasional slip into sappiness, My Family’s big spirit always shines through, making it a timeless classic that will resonate with audiences for generations to come.
My Family is like a big, warm hug from your abuela. Sure, it’s not perfect, but the love and passion poured into this film by the cast and crew make it impossible not to enjoy. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing Jimmy Smits and Edward James Olmos on screen together? It’s a must-watch for anyone who values family and the ties that bind us all.
Production Company(ies)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Bracknell, Berkshire, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual material, language throughout, some violence and drug content
Year of Release
2019
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:2h 8m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 3, 1995 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 6, 2004
Genre(s)
History/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, Eduardo López Rojas, Jenny Gago, Elpidia Carrillo, Lupe Ontiveros, Jennifer Lopez, directed by Gregory Nava, written by Gregory Nava and Anna Thomas, History, Drama, $11.1M box office, reviewed by Rene Rodriguez, Gene Seymour, Carrie Rickey, Matt Zoller Seitz, Eleanor Ringel Cater, Henry Sheehan, Rene Jordan, Mark de la Viña, Barbara Vancheri, Kristal Brent Zook, Sean P Means, R MPAA rating, produced by Anna Thomas, Mexican-American life, multi-generational, family history, political hardships, social hardships, illegal deportations, racial tensions, gang fights, strong family
Worldwide gross: $40,812,363
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $47,156,830
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,361
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 5,142,511
US/Canada gross: $22,958,886
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $26,527,949
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,309
US/Canada opening weekend: $138,780
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $160,354
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,753
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $11,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $12,710,000
Production budget ranking: 1,570
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $6,844,335
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $27,602,495
ROI to date (est.): 141%
ROI ranking: 789
Esai Morales – Chucho
Eduardo López Rojas – Jose
Jenny Gago – Maria
Elpidia Carrillo – Isabel Magaña
Lupe Ontiveros – Irene
Director(s)
Gregory Nava
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Anna Thomas
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
10 wins & 5 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (58) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (46) | Rotten (12)
There are moments in My Family that convey Nava’s love for these characters. That warmth makes My Family impossible to dislike despite its flaws.
August 26, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
Rene Rodriguez
Miami Herald
TOP CRITIC
It is evocative well-crafted and performed with verve and passion by a first-rate cast of Latino actors.
August 26, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Gene Seymour
Newsday
TOP CRITIC
The warmth of My Family’s characters and humor, the lush-ness of its cinematography and local color, and the universality of its family and sibling conflicts, make for pleasurable company.
August 26, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
One of the most satisfying dramas I’ve ever seen.
August 26, 2021
Matt Zoller Seitz
Dallas Observer
TOP CRITIC
The last segment is the best, so much so that one wishes Nava had left out the first two parts and concentrated on fleshing out the third section.
August 26, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
Eleanor Ringel Cater
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TOP CRITIC
What makes movie characters come alive are differences, not similarities. My Family could be any family, and thus, is no family at all.
August 26, 2021 | Rating: C
Henry Sheehan
Orange County Register
TOP CRITIC
The film is sweet but never cloying. The continuity doesn’t break because the actors – all excellent – convincingly resemble the others who played the same characters in the past. [Full review in Spanish]
September 9, 2021
Rene Jordan
El Nuevo Herald (Miami)
This Hollywood effort at unspooling this seldom heard American story is long overdue.
August 26, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
Mark de la Viña
Philadelphia Daily News
Smits gives a wonderful performance in a film that also stars Esai Morales, Edward James Olmos and actors without household names but with equal talent.
August 26, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Barbara Vancheri
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Were this superb drama nothing more than a rich exploration of family, it would have been more than enough. But Nava and his cowriter, wife Anna Thomas, offer up layers and nuances.
August 26, 2021
Kristal Brent Zook
L.A. Weekly
My Family/Mi Familia is a chronicle of Mexican-American life, but it’s more than that. Its a universal portrait of family ties, a film to which everyone can relate.
August 26, 2021 | Rating: 4/4
Sean P. Means
Salt Lake Tribune
Though it occasionally slips into sappiness, My Family’s big spirit always comes through.
August 26, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Robert W. Butler
Kansas City Star…
Plot
Former wrestler Ricky and his wife Julia make a living performing with their children Saraya and Zak. When brother and sister get the chance to audition for WWE, they learn that becoming a WWE Superstar demands more than they ever imagined possible.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The cast of My Family/ Mi Familia includes Jimmy Smits, Jennifer Lopez, and Edward James Olmos.
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