Spanglish is an examination of Latino immigrants to the USA. Particularly one mother and her young daughter who arrive in the USA for a better life and their interaction with a rich American family.
The story is essentially told as a flashback with the daughter recounting her experiences with her mother. It is never spelt out whether they came to the USA from Mexico legally or not.
After hooking up with a cousin in LA, as the daughter gets older her mother Flor gets a job as a domestic for Tea Leoni and Adam Sandler.
Leoni is a neurotic mother. They have two children whilst Sandler is a top chef in a restaurant. Leoni's mother played by Cloris Leachman is an alcoholic but rather wise in her years.
Even though she has been in America for several years, Flor has learnt little English and has to communicate via her daughter or others who know Spanish.
Flor is beautiful but she was abandoned by her husband hence why she moved to LA.
James Brooks of Terms of Endearment fame weaves another comedy drama. He examines the cultural clashes that ensue especially when the Sandler family move to a summer beach house for a few months and Flor comes and lives with them accompanied by her daughter.
Paz Vega is very good as Flor, the actors playing the various kids are very good as is Tea Leoni and Leachman.
However Sandler in a straight role is weak. He comes across as nice, understanding, almost every man but he is not a strong enough actor to bring the nuances of his character to light.
The film signals a budding romance with Paz but it is difficult to buy not helped with last minute re-shoots which changed the ending.
Brooks who has shown a sure touch in previous ensemble films such as Broadcast News has maybe let this film meander a bit too much. It needed focus and 20 minutes snipped off.
The story is essentially told as a flashback with the daughter recounting her experiences with her mother. It is never spelt out whether they came to the USA from Mexico legally or not.
After hooking up with a cousin in LA, as the daughter gets older her mother Flor gets a job as a domestic for Tea Leoni and Adam Sandler.
Leoni is a neurotic mother. They have two children whilst Sandler is a top chef in a restaurant. Leoni's mother played by Cloris Leachman is an alcoholic but rather wise in her years.
Even though she has been in America for several years, Flor has learnt little English and has to communicate via her daughter or others who know Spanish.
Flor is beautiful but she was abandoned by her husband hence why she moved to LA.
James Brooks of Terms of Endearment fame weaves another comedy drama. He examines the cultural clashes that ensue especially when the Sandler family move to a summer beach house for a few months and Flor comes and lives with them accompanied by her daughter.
Paz Vega is very good as Flor, the actors playing the various kids are very good as is Tea Leoni and Leachman.
However Sandler in a straight role is weak. He comes across as nice, understanding, almost every man but he is not a strong enough actor to bring the nuances of his character to light.
The film signals a budding romance with Paz but it is difficult to buy not helped with last minute re-shoots which changed the ending.
Brooks who has shown a sure touch in previous ensemble films such as Broadcast News has maybe let this film meander a bit too much. It needed focus and 20 minutes snipped off.