Spanglish (film)
Encyclopedia
Spanglish is a 2004 American comedy-drama
film written and directed by James L. Brooks
, and starring Adam Sandler
, Paz Vega
, and Téa Leoni
. It was released in the United States on December 17, 2004 by Columbia Pictures
and by Gracie Films
, and in other countries over the first several months of 2005.
Flor Moreno (Paz Vega
) is a poor, Mexican
single mother who gets hired as the housekeeper for John (Adam Sandler
) and Deborah Clasky (Téa Leoni
), their kids Bernice (Sarah Steele
) and Georgie (Ian Hayland), and Deborah's mother Evelyn Wright (Cloris Leachman
), a rich American
family. John is head chef at a popular restaurant, Deborah a former businesswoman turned stay-at-home mother and Evelyn a former jazz singer.
Flor speaks very little English. She does not mention that she has a daughter, Cristina (Shelbie Bruce
). John, Evelyn, Georgie and Bernice are very likeable; Deborah, however, is uptight, her behavior often upsetting both households.
Summer comes and Flor is needed 24/7 at the Claskys' summer home. Unable to communicate, Deborah finds a neighbor to translate. Flor reveals that she is unable to maintain these hours because she has a daughter, but Cristina is invited to come stay with them.
Cristina interprets for her mother. She impresses Deborah, who begins to treat her like a daughter, taking Cristina shopping, getting her hair done, enrolling her in a private school, and showing her more love than she does the sensitive Bernice.
Flor becomes unhappy when it appears that Cristina is influenced by Deborah, in part because she wants Cristina to keep in touch with her Mexican roots and working-class unpretention, and partly because Deborah is overstepping her bounds. Flor objects to Deborah's actions to John, who is apologetic in an endearing way.
Flor does lose her temper when she finds out that John gave Cristina over 600 dollars in cash for a minor task. She threatens to leave but decides to stay after John convinces her to do so for Cristina's sake.
Flor begins to learn English so she can communicate better. She becomes closer to John, who is having difficulty with Deborah's self-centered behavior. The alcoholic Evelyn realizes that her daughter is having an affair and that her marriage is in trouble. She pleads with Deborah to end the affair because she'll never get another man as good as John.
Deborah confesses to John that she cheated on him. John walks out and gives Flor a ride in his car. They go to his restaurant, where he cooks for Flor and they enjoy the "conversation of their lives," feeling love for one another. (In a draft of the screenplay, they consummate their love, but in the movie) Flor resists the temptation to continue and John never mentions Deborah's affair.
Flor quits and takes her daughter home, upsetting Christina, for she got along well with the Claskys. Then, on their way home, she tells Cristina that she won't go to the private school anymore either, upsetting Cristina even more; she screams in the middle of the street that Flor can't do this to her and that her decision ruined her life. Flor then loses patience with Cristina after asking her for space. Then she explains to her that she must answer the most important question of her life, at a very young age: "Is what you want for yourself to become someone very different than me?" Cristina considers this on their bus ride home, and they make up and embrace.
The film ends with Cristina as an adult, years later, acknowledging that her life rests firmly and happily on the simple fact that she is her mother's daughter.
, 53% of critics gave Spanglish a positive review. Its proponents champion the film as a seminal, revolutionary masterpiece, breaking new ground in the areas of visual composition and sound/light resonance, as well as a moving portrayal of the difficulty of family problems and self-identity (and perhaps to a lesser extent the difficulties and rewards of cross-cultural communication
). However, its detractors described it as "uneven," "awkward," and "mean-spirited."
.
was nominated for a Golden Globe Award
for Best Original Score
.
Cloris Leachman was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
film written and directed by James L. Brooks
James L. Brooks
James Lawrence Brooks is an American director, producer and screenwriter. Growing up in North Bergen, New Jersey, Brooks endured a fractured family life and passed the time by reading and writing. After dropping out of New York University, he got a job as an usher at CBS, going on to write for the...
, and starring Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
, Paz Vega
Paz Vega
Paz Campos Trigo , better known as Paz Vega, is a Spanish actress.- Early life :Vega was born in Seville, Andalusia, Spain to a homemaker mother and a retired bullfighter father. Vega's younger sister has performed as a flamenco dancer. Vega has described her family as "traditional" and Catholic....
, and Téa Leoni
Téa Leoni
Elizabeth Téa Pantaleoni , better known by her stage name Téa Leoni, is an American actress. She has starred in a wide range of films including Jurassic Park III, The Family Man, Deep Impact, Fun with Dick and Jane, Spanglish, Bad Boys, and Ghost Town.-Early life:Leoni was born in New York City...
. It was released in the United States on December 17, 2004 by Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
and by Gracie Films
Gracie Films
Gracie Films is an American film and television production company, created by James L. Brooks in 1986. The company has produced many award-winning films and television series, including Broadcast News, Jerry Maguire, and most notably The Simpsons...
, and in other countries over the first several months of 2005.
Plot
The film starts with Cristina Moreno applying to Princeton University. She tells the story of her childhood in her college essay.Flor Moreno (Paz Vega
Paz Vega
Paz Campos Trigo , better known as Paz Vega, is a Spanish actress.- Early life :Vega was born in Seville, Andalusia, Spain to a homemaker mother and a retired bullfighter father. Vega's younger sister has performed as a flamenco dancer. Vega has described her family as "traditional" and Catholic....
) is a poor, Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
single mother who gets hired as the housekeeper for John (Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
) and Deborah Clasky (Téa Leoni
Téa Leoni
Elizabeth Téa Pantaleoni , better known by her stage name Téa Leoni, is an American actress. She has starred in a wide range of films including Jurassic Park III, The Family Man, Deep Impact, Fun with Dick and Jane, Spanglish, Bad Boys, and Ghost Town.-Early life:Leoni was born in New York City...
), their kids Bernice (Sarah Steele
Sarah Steele
Sarah Jane Steele is an American actress who got her first break into the film industry by beating thousands of young hopeful females for the role of Bernice in the 2004 film, Spanglish.- Life and career :...
) and Georgie (Ian Hayland), and Deborah's mother Evelyn Wright (Cloris Leachman
Cloris Leachman
Cloris Leachman is an American actress of stage, film and television. She has won eight Primetime Emmy Awards—more than any other performer—and one Daytime Emmy Award...
), a rich American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
family. John is head chef at a popular restaurant, Deborah a former businesswoman turned stay-at-home mother and Evelyn a former jazz singer.
Flor speaks very little English. She does not mention that she has a daughter, Cristina (Shelbie Bruce
Shelbie Bruce
Shelbie Carole Bruce is an American teen actress fluent in both English and Spanish who had a lead role in the film Spanglish....
). John, Evelyn, Georgie and Bernice are very likeable; Deborah, however, is uptight, her behavior often upsetting both households.
Summer comes and Flor is needed 24/7 at the Claskys' summer home. Unable to communicate, Deborah finds a neighbor to translate. Flor reveals that she is unable to maintain these hours because she has a daughter, but Cristina is invited to come stay with them.
Cristina interprets for her mother. She impresses Deborah, who begins to treat her like a daughter, taking Cristina shopping, getting her hair done, enrolling her in a private school, and showing her more love than she does the sensitive Bernice.
Flor becomes unhappy when it appears that Cristina is influenced by Deborah, in part because she wants Cristina to keep in touch with her Mexican roots and working-class unpretention, and partly because Deborah is overstepping her bounds. Flor objects to Deborah's actions to John, who is apologetic in an endearing way.
Flor does lose her temper when she finds out that John gave Cristina over 600 dollars in cash for a minor task. She threatens to leave but decides to stay after John convinces her to do so for Cristina's sake.
Flor begins to learn English so she can communicate better. She becomes closer to John, who is having difficulty with Deborah's self-centered behavior. The alcoholic Evelyn realizes that her daughter is having an affair and that her marriage is in trouble. She pleads with Deborah to end the affair because she'll never get another man as good as John.
Deborah confesses to John that she cheated on him. John walks out and gives Flor a ride in his car. They go to his restaurant, where he cooks for Flor and they enjoy the "conversation of their lives," feeling love for one another. (In a draft of the screenplay, they consummate their love, but in the movie) Flor resists the temptation to continue and John never mentions Deborah's affair.
Flor quits and takes her daughter home, upsetting Christina, for she got along well with the Claskys. Then, on their way home, she tells Cristina that she won't go to the private school anymore either, upsetting Cristina even more; she screams in the middle of the street that Flor can't do this to her and that her decision ruined her life. Flor then loses patience with Cristina after asking her for space. Then she explains to her that she must answer the most important question of her life, at a very young age: "Is what you want for yourself to become someone very different than me?" Cristina considers this on their bus ride home, and they make up and embrace.
The film ends with Cristina as an adult, years later, acknowledging that her life rests firmly and happily on the simple fact that she is her mother's daughter.
Cast
- Adam SandlerAdam SandlerAdam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
as John Clasky. Brooks cast him after seeing his more dramatic performance in Punch-Drunk LovePunch-Drunk LovePunch-Drunk Love is a 2002 romantic comedy-drama written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Adam Sandler and Emily Watson. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Luis Guzmán also appear....
. - Téa LeoniTéa LeoniElizabeth Téa Pantaleoni , better known by her stage name Téa Leoni, is an American actress. She has starred in a wide range of films including Jurassic Park III, The Family Man, Deep Impact, Fun with Dick and Jane, Spanglish, Bad Boys, and Ghost Town.-Early life:Leoni was born in New York City...
as Deborah Clasky - Paz VegaPaz VegaPaz Campos Trigo , better known as Paz Vega, is a Spanish actress.- Early life :Vega was born in Seville, Andalusia, Spain to a homemaker mother and a retired bullfighter father. Vega's younger sister has performed as a flamenco dancer. Vega has described her family as "traditional" and Catholic....
as Flor Moreno. Vega could not speak English when filming began. - Cloris LeachmanCloris LeachmanCloris Leachman is an American actress of stage, film and television. She has won eight Primetime Emmy Awards—more than any other performer—and one Daytime Emmy Award...
as Evelyn Wright. Leachman replaced Anne BancroftAnne BancroftAnne Bancroft was an American actress associated with the Method acting school, which she had studied under Lee Strasberg....
who dropped out of the part after four weeks of shooting due to illness. - Shelbie BruceShelbie BruceShelbie Carole Bruce is an American teen actress fluent in both English and Spanish who had a lead role in the film Spanglish....
as Cristina Moreno, age 12 - Sarah SteeleSarah SteeleSarah Jane Steele is an American actress who got her first break into the film industry by beating thousands of young hopeful females for the role of Bernice in the 2004 film, Spanglish.- Life and career :...
as Bernice "Bernie" Clasky - Ian Hyland as George "Georgie" Clasky
- Victoria Luna as Cristina Moreno, age 6
- Cecilia SuárezCecilia SuárezCecilia Suárez is an Ariel Award and Emmy International nominated Mexican actress who has played roles in a number of mostly Spanish language films and television series since 1997.-Career:...
as Monica - Aimee Garcia as the narrator (Adult Cristina Moreno)
- Sarah HylandSarah HylandSarah Jane Hyland is an American actress, currently starring as Haley Dunphy on the ABC comedy Modern Family.-Life and career:...
as Sleepover Girl (uncredited)
Critical reception
The film received a mixed critical reception. Based on 157 reviews collected by the film review aggregator Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
, 53% of critics gave Spanglish a positive review. Its proponents champion the film as a seminal, revolutionary masterpiece, breaking new ground in the areas of visual composition and sound/light resonance, as well as a moving portrayal of the difficulty of family problems and self-identity (and perhaps to a lesser extent the difficulties and rewards of cross-cultural communication
Cross-cultural communication
Cross-cultural communication is a field of study that looks at how people from differing cultural backgrounds communicate, in similar and different ways among themselves, and how they endeavour to communicate across cultures.- Origins :The Cold War, the United States economy...
). However, its detractors described it as "uneven," "awkward," and "mean-spirited."
Box office
This film grossed $55,041,367 worldwide, significantly less than the $80 million production budget. With this intake, the film became a box office bombBox office bomb
The phrase box office bomb refers to a film for which the production and marketing costs greatly exceeded the revenue regained by the movie studio. This should not be confused with Hollywood accounting when official figures show large losses, yet the movie is a financial success.A film's financial...
.
Awards and nominations
Hans ZimmerHans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
was nominated for a Golden Globe Award
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
for Best Original Score
Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score
The Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score is one of several categories presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association , an organization of journalists who cover the United States film industry, but are affiliated with publications outside North America, since its institution in 1947...
.
Cloris Leachman was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress.