James Brooks' observant and charming story about a non-English-speaking Mexican mother (Paz Vega) who takes a job as a housekeeper with an affluent California family -- an easygoing chef (Adam Sandler), his hypercontrolling, self-absorbed wife (Tea Leoni), two children, and alcoholic mother-in-law (Cloris Leachman) -- to support herself and her young daughter whom she endeavors to keep unspoiled by superficial American values. The immensely appealing Vega projects genuine decency and resolute backbone, and a low-keyed Sandler is a likable mensch. Leoni is quite funny (if sometimes annoying) in a refreshingly offbeat look at cultural assimilation, relationships and parenting -- which is ultimately extremely moving. Some sexual banter and mild profanity, an instance of rough language, and an unexplicit but rambunctious sex scene between husband and wife. A-III -- adults. (PG-13) 2004
Full Review
James L. Brooks' "Spanglish" (Columbia) is a charming and wise comedy with an edge, dealing with cultural assimilation, relationships, and parenting with great profundity beneath its breezy surface.
The story is told in flashback by Cristina, six years after the events in the film, as her application essay for Princeton University. The subject is her "most influential person" -- her Mexican mother, Flor (Paz Vega), who, abandoned by her husband, resolved to raise Cristina with solid values while remaining true to her Latina heritage.
Flor moves to Los Angeles with the young Cristina (Shelbie Bruce), and the city's large Hispanic population allows her to remain sheltered from American culture for several years. Despite speaking no English, she lands a job with the affluent Clasky family as housekeeper and nanny to the two children (Sarah Steele and Ian Hyland).
John Clasky (Adam Sandler) is a renowned chef, and an easygoing, loving husband and father, tolerant of his wife Deborah's (Tea Leoni) high-strung and hypercontrolling ways, exacerbated by her recently having lost her job. They live with Deborah's mother, Evelyn (Cloris Leachman), who has an ongoing sparring relationship with her daughter.
Deborah is utterly self-centered in all respects, and even in the bedroom she cares only for her own pleasure, as we observe in the film's one sexual (though not graphic) scene; later, we learn she succumbs to an (off-screen) affair with a real estate agent. She also maintains rigid ideas about parenting.
When the Claskys take a Malibu beach house for the summer, Deborah takes it for granted that Flor will live with them, not bothering to ask if Flor is willing and not realizing that she has a daughter. Flor reluctantly accepts, rather than lose her job, and she moves into the house with 12-year-old Cristina.
The child is thrilled by her new surroundings, and Deborah takes to the youngster who looks up to her in a way her own children do not, but Flor is wary of losing her daughter to a different set of values. Her concern is heightened by Deborah's idea that Cristina attend her own daughter's posh school.
Matters eventually come to a head and Flor decides to confront John, after the latter gives Cristina a large sum of money for collecting seashells. They have a heated argument, with Cristina translating, though when John points out that Flor had improperly interceded with his own daughter on a personal matter, Flor admits she was wrong and apologizes, which stuns John, who knows his wife would never concede a point.
Flor tries to resign her position, but John -- ever the thoughtful husband -- fears that if she does Deborah will be racked with guilt thinking it was her fault. "We know about guilt," quips Cristina. "We're Catholics."
Flor starts taking English lessons and is gradually able to communicate in rudimentary English.
Used to more macho Latino men, Flor initially thinks John is effeminate when he shows emotion, one of many culture clashes that transpire. Later, they sense a subtle bond growing between them, based mostly on their mutual respect for each other as good parents, but both are sensible enough not to act on their subliminal feelings.
We won't spoil the ending, but it's quite touching and an affirmation of good values.
Vega is an absolute knockout, and projects genuine decency and high moral character throughout the film, even though she has minimal English dialogue. A low-keyed Sandler is quite likable. Leoni is funny when she isn't being totally alienating in her manic obsessions and shrillness. And Leachman gives a perceptive performance as the mother who perhaps made Deborah what she is, with her drinking and promiscuity.
This lovely, intelligent and very moral film is filled with wise and perceptive observations, and is one of the best of the year.
"Spanglish" contains some sexual banter and mild profanity, an instance of rough language, and an unexplicit but rambunctious sex scene between husband and wife. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Movies have been evaluated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishop's Office for Film and Broadcasting according to artistic
merit and moral suitability. The reviews include the USCCB rating,
the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief
synopsis of the movie.
The classifications are as follows:
- A-I -- general patronage;
- A-II -- adults and adolescents;
- A-III -- adults;
- A-IV**
- L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV.
- O -- morally offensive.
** Discontinued classification. All archived movies that were originally in the A-IV category are now classified as L.