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There is most certainly something in Spanglish for every member of your family! The cast is fabulous. Spaniard Paz Vega appears quite natural and convincing as Mexican Flor Moreno. Adam Sandler shows definite versatility as both a dramatic and comedic actor. Tea Leoni, here almost outshines everyone in her role of a rather endearing but neurotic American housewife. And the young, Shelbie Bruce, playing the role of Flors daughter, Cristina, waxes totally bilingual/bicultural.

However, do not let your pre-viewing expectations get too high! Regardless of being a must see film for all Hispanics who live, have lived or who have had an extended stay in the U. S., Spanglish does have its faults! Producer/director/writer, James L. Brooks, despite having directed such classics as Broadcast News, As Good As It Gets and Terms of Endearment, seems that here there are moments he became too enamored of his own work, causing some excesses. The film drags a bit at over 2 hours. It would have been a more enjoyable film if Brooks had left at least 10 or 15 minutes on the cutting room floor.

In most of the standard areas one eveluates regarding the production values used in making Spanglish... It seems that just about all of them are quite acceptable. Probably even a tad better than most!

However, Spanglish does suffer from moments of rather lackluster script-writing and direction of its principle characters, with too many mugging facial close-ups. These exaggerated expressions often did not seem the least bit natural. Spanglish also would like to convince us that someone can go from a beginner in English to someone with tremendous proficiency in a breezy 2 or 3 months! That seems like quite a lot of Suspension of Disbelief! If it were that easy, we would all speak five languages, right? Despite the few weaknesses highlighted here, Spanglish is guaranteed to impact you a lot! 7*******

This review was redacted after going over the IMDb guidelines for submitting Reviews with the utmost intensive and extreme care. I am certain that it meets all the standards and points mentioned therein. So most certainly...I hope this Review will meet with Your approval and considered to be Helpful.....Enjoy!

This is a story about an undocumented Mexican woman named Flor (Paz Vega) who moves to the U.S. with her daughter. The story is told via flashback, through voice over by the daughter Cristina (Shelbie Bruce), who wants to attend a prestigious university.

As one might expect, there is a culture clash between Flor and the white family that employs her services for household help--especially as personified by Deborah (Tea Leoni), the mother. It should be noted that Leoni and the entire cast give fantastic performances, even if some of the portrayals are written as caricatures. Adam Sandler, who plays the father, John, is particularly fun to watch, because he mostly plays his character straight, without his usual comedic embellishments. I was most impressed by Sarah Steele, who plays the teenage daughter of Leoni and Sandler.

Much of the story is intended to be comedy, though it deals with social issues that go well beyond the disconnect caused by the fact that the two mothers do not speak a common language. The film has a definite perspective about the various cultural issues it addresses, but it is only partially convincing in its arguments.

I found the film to be disjointed, but that did not bother me. There is so much to appreciate in the story of the two families.

Gregory Nava's "El Norte" was a memorable journey into the Latino experience in white wealthy country. That masterpiece had a heartbreaking scene between the Latino maid and a washing machine. "Spanglish" merely hints to a similar moment between the Latino maid and a coffee machine. The "merely hinting" is at the heart of this painful comedy of manners. This is the journey of an observer not of someone who actually lived it. As a consequence he treats his own with an iron hand and the others with a romantic, heroic, fairy taleish sort of slant. Putting aside the potential seriousness of the story, the film is a moving, entertainment fantasy in the land of opulence and guilt. The borders here are not geographic but personal, the aliens are the natives. They become illegal in their own existence and step all over their own lives without noticing, trying to care, trying to be the best they can possibly be but without points of reference or enough substance for their acts to have any kind of real meaning. Tea Leoni gives a performance of such fearlessness that sometimes you feel she may jump out of the screen. Cloris Leachman is great as an alcoholic wise woman who doesn't want to be judged. Paz Vega represents the ideal Latin heroine in a wealthy American's story. She is beautiful and powerful and utterly unlikely. Adam Sandler is Adam Sandler and seems to stand passively between the blonder than blond world of his wife and the exotic gorgeousness world of his maid. I would like to know what happened to Paz and her daughter after leaving behind the chances to be or become like everyone else in the white wealthy country of make believe, or is that too much to ask.

When I heard the title and learned that Adam Sandler was in this movie, I had very low expectations. Boy, was I surprised. This is a wonderful film, not at all the low-level fluff film I expected. All the female actresses, young and old, are absolutely terrific, and Adam Sandler does a respectable job in a semi-serious role. The writing is very clever, and the film will elicit laughter as well as tears. I found my self still thinking about the movie the next day, something that all too often doesn't happen with today's highly forgettable films. One caveat: this is really a movie for teens and up, not a kids' movie. Aside from a bad word or two and a (hilarious) sex scene, the underlying themes are quite adult. Enjoy!

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.

PLOT

Flor (Vega) emigrates to Los Angeles from Mexico in order to find a better life for her and her daughter, Cristina (Victoria Luna). She is hired by John and Deborah Clasky (Sandler and Leoni) as their housekeeper even though she can't speak a word of English. Faced with a language barrier, a daughter who is growing up faster than she'd like, and eccentric employers, Flor must find a way to adapt and keep her daughter grounded in reality. A surprisingly effective Adam Sandler dramatic turn ensues.

JOHNNY'S TAKE

Waterboy this ain't. For some that's a good thing, for others (as evidenced by the teenagers I saw leave the movie), it's a bad thing. For me? Hey, there's no doubt that I prefer a pure Adam Sandler comedy, but I can handle a dramatic turn like this every once in a while, especially if it's done well. This is definitely Sandler's attempt at trying something new, and while that may not appeal to his core fans, it just might help him find some new ones.

The movie itself is a flashback. The narrator is Vega's daughter, and she's telling us the story of this period of her life because the events are what got her to where she is today.

Here are the basics of what you need to know:

* Vega is a better-looking version of Penelope Cruz who initially can't speak English.

* Sandler is an excellent chef whose biggest fear is succeeding above that which he can handle. Plus, according to Vega, he has the "emotions of a Mexican woman."

* Leoni is Sandler's somewhat crazy wife who hires Cruz to be their housekeeper.

* Cloris Leachman is Leoni's alcoholic mother who badly wants to be able to offer motherly advice.

* Children get involved and all Hades breaks loose.

Everything builds upon those five points. How will everybody deal with Vega's inability to speak English? How will Sandler deal with the fact that his wife has hired a good-looking housekeeper with a loving, caring heart? Why does Leoni not realize how good of a husband she has, and will there be consequences to this? What happens when Vega's daughter moves into the house and Leoni gives her more attention than she does her own daughter?

Tensions run high, and the cultural differences don't help. Leoni and Sandler try to give Cristine the things their children have, but Vega is resistant. She wants sole responsibility for raising her child and instilling values because she feels that's the only way to keep her from becoming something she isn't.

But what happens when her daughter resents this and feels her mother is ruining her life? What happens when individuals begin to realize what and who is most important in their life? Will priorities change?

This is the most vulnerable role Sandler has played, and I think a lot of women like that side of him. Not that I'm an expert on women's thoughts, but whenever I start talking to female friends about how hilarious it was when Sandler punched Bob Barker in Happy Gilmore, they usually prefer to talk about how sweet it was when he sang that "Grow Old With You" song to Drew Barrymore in The Wedding Singer. So it'll be no surprise if he wins a few hearts with the genuine affection he shows his children in this movie. And Leoni's bound to make a few enemies with the lack of affection she shows Sandler.

But neither Sandler nor Leoni (who goes a tad over-the-top at times) is the real star here. That title has to go to Paz Vega. The acting is strong all around, but newcomer Vega really shines. I don't know how broad her appeal will be in future mainstream movies, but she was perfect for this.

Spanglish isn't a perfect movie, and it certainly won't appeal to everyone. After all, some may find it a tad long and too dramatic for their taste. But the characters are developed just enough, and the story is crafted well enough, that I found myself interested in the relationships. I didn't mind the 2+ hour running time because I wanted to see how everything would end up. I must warn you that if you want a romantic movie that turns out EXACTLY like you want it to, then you could be disappointed. But you know, these characters feel real, the relationships feel real, and the result is realistic. Like in life, not all loose ends can be tied up within a 2-hour time frame.

After the movie, Stephanie asked me, "Why don't you say things like 'they need to name a gender after you' (which Sandler says in the movie)?" I think she was mostly joking, but I replied, "I've tried, but you'd just roll your eyes and tell me how gay that was." She admitted that was true but said within the context of the movie with music playing in the background it's not so bad.

I suppose she's right. And on a similar note, while Spanglish is a movie that can lay on the tears and the drama pretty thick, within the context of the story it's trying to tell, I'm man enough to admit that hey, it's not so bad.

THE GIST

If all you're looking for is an Adam Sandler comedy in the vein of Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore, then you could be sorely disappointed. However, if you're really curious to see Sandler try his hand at a more dramatic, less mean-spirited role, and you don't mind a little chick flick drama that focuses heavily on character and story development, then you might find Spanglish to be a little better than you expect.

Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

I started watching this just hoping for a few laughs, this being an Adam Sandler movie. Instead, I found a deep story dealing with issues relevant to real life: what are the values that define you as a person? What is acceptable and what is not? Why one has to draw the distinction between what feels good and what is good?

Spanglish is a good movie backed up by some great performances by Paz Vega and Adam Sandler. Tea Leoni performs her role well and Cloris Leachman is an able support, at times adding a flavor of dry comedy.

I won't reveal the plot. All I'll say is it is worth your time. A funny movie with a solid story and something to take away later.

"Spanglish" is almost a great dramatic-romantic-comedy: the first half is excellent, but the situation of infidelity of Deborah Clasky, the character played by Téa Leoni, and the impossible love of Flor Moreno (Paz Vega) for John Clasky (Adam Sandler) simply destroy the good plot.

I liked the beginning, with the original application of Cristina Moreno to Princeton; the fight of classes, especially when Cristina goes to a private school and the dilemma of her mother is also a great moment. However, Deborah is quite neurotic, but is a good person, and her character is simply wasted by her infidelity. The declaration of love of Flor to John in the restaurant is also awful, and finishes with any good intention of her character to save the soul of her daughter from the corruption of the upper class world. I do not know why the writer made such stupidity with these unnecessary situations. Anyway, it is always delightful to see the beauty of Paz Vega, from " Lucía y el Sexo" and "El Otro Lado de la Cama", even in a Hollywood movie. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Espanglês"

I had moderately high expectations for this movie. I am Spanish, and since Paz Vega has rapidly become in the last few years one of my country's most popular actresses, I couldn't help but wish that her jump to Hollywood would be successful. Also, the name of James L. Brooks suggested quality. This is a man who doesn't make films often, his fame being grounded mostly on his TV shows, so when he does, one tends to believe it's because he really has something to say.

Sadly, the result of my expectation has been crushing disappointment, for this film fails at so many levels that I couldn't find anything to keep me interested. Brooks's direction, for example, seemed to me amazingly clumsy and lacking in rhythm. Often you had the impression that the camera lingered too long on the actors, and they didn't know what to say, what to do or even where to stand. Sandler, again surprisingly, was the only one to exercise restraint in his performance, in between Leoni's and Vega's terrible overacting; both of them exaggerated their gestures so much you would think they were in a children's play by adults (Actually, it seemed to me the children in the movie were acting much better than them, especially Steele, who plays Sandler's daughter with disarming charm). Then again, good acting is not easy to achieve with a script this terrible: The dialog felt sometimes so fake that you could see them make efforts to sound half believable; the characters were hardly developed or made almost cartoonish (Deb, Tea Leoni's psychotic bundle of nerves of a wife would be the prime example); the situations often didn't make sense (Flor's attitude of fear and disdain towards Deb is completely beyond reason, even to the point of bigotry. Deb may be a neurotic, but Flor has good reason to be very grateful to her); subplots branched out in several directions but never really went anywhere; and the big plot, the development of the romantic spark between the protagonists, felt rushed and unrealistic and I simply could not believe a word of it. I just managed to bear the movie as it got worse and worse and was thankful when it ended, which is when I realized that it didn't just feel long to me; it's also that the thing is way too long!

Thumbs down to Brooks then, and better luck to Paz next time, I hope this mistake doesn't stop her rise to stardom.

This movie makes me cry every time. Perhaps the soundtrack does it's job, or the push-ins when the characters have their deep emotional revelations of the epitome of their personalities, but it's not what happens that makes me cry. It is the way the characters are relateable, not so much as the commonness of their ways, because they are very quirky almost to the extreme, but because there is a part of every person in each of them, or at least a part to strives to be. The language barrier just highlights the dialogue, as one watching tries to hear it from foreign ears and yet understands movements and emotions better than what is said. And that, I think, makes this movie perfect.

I saw Spanglish Saturday night (12/11/04). It was a preview and I haven't seen any critical reviews yet. I liked it enough to give it a 8 out of 10. It's a comedy with enough serious moments to give a person time to pause and think. Young girl emigrates with her mom from Mexico and settles in California. Mom (being in America illegally) settles as a housekeeper for Sandler and Leoni. She's baffled by the monied existence of the upper classes and how it effects her daughter. I thought that Paz Vega is excellent as the mom. Adam Sandler holds back and plays a compassionate father. Cloris Leachman is great and should be nominated for a Best Supporting Actress. The revelation to me is Tea Leoni. I thought that she was great as the waspish/blond mom/wife who feels that she's not getting enough respect at home.

The cinematic work "Spanglish" by James L. Brooks is an intriguing tale of a Mexican woman and her daughter who travel to Los Angeles. While seeking employment, the mother, played by Paz Vega, finds employment as a housekeeper/nanny with a well off family. Though initially reluctant, she agrees to accept the family's live in position because they agreed to let her daughter live in too. Living in a new place with a new family Flor comes to know all the members of the Clasky family over time. With a dramatic and energetic mother Deborah Clasky, and an intriguing restaurateur father John Clasky (played by Adam Sandler), the Clasky family presents an interesting time for Flor and her daughter.

Deborah's heavy drinking mother who was a former jazz singer, Evelyn, notices that her daughter is in need of support, and is there for her more. When Flor and her daughter Christina spend more time at the Clasky residence they both make efforts in education. Flor learned English for the sake of her family, and Christiana made strong academics efforts when she was presented with the opportunity of a private education. Though all seems to be going well, as soon as Flor and John establish a romantic connection, all begins to change. With a dramatic, yet comedic tone I feel that the film earns a solid 7 out of 10. It is a film that presents a solid cast, interesting storyline, and a balance of cinematic genre.

My favorite scene was the restaurant scene. Through the use of various cinematic elements, and a strong written script, the scene depicts the strong connection and meaning that develops between Flor and John. Though there are other great scenes that I enjoyed, such as the beginning of Flor's stay, I do not want to spoil this clever film. Other key film review sources such as rotten tomatoes gives it a 51%, IMDb give it a 6.5 out of 10, and iTunes customers rate it 4.5 out of 5. Overall, I feel that though there are a wide spectrum of ratings, I feel that Spanglish is a worth viewing. I feel that though the film was not the best film I have ever seen director James L. Brooks did an effective job at creating an overall solid film. Flor and Cristina's story draws parallels to many others whom travel also seeking better opportunity. The story with its various ups and downs keeps the viewer intrigued as this story unfolds before the viewer. I feel that this 7 out of 10 film, is a nice film to watch on a movie night unwinding from one's day.

Unlike earlier contributors, I found the loose nature of the storytelling in this movie to be refreshing. Life is not simple. Lots of things happen in the timespan depicted in this movie. Some are resolved, some not.

The characters are a little one-dimensional, but that is par for the course. Paz Vega's Flor seems to do little actual work. And would someone as hard nosed as Tea Leone's Mrs Klasky have hired her on such an interview? But these are minor quibbles.

What is terrific is that this movie manages to steer clear of the usual cliché ending. I admire the self-confidence of the script in this. Though we all love a happy ending, life does not often provide them.

The two teenage girls will have, I hope, a long and distinguished career in films. Their performances are worth the rental fee even without the surprise that Adam Sandler can actually act and that Cloris Leachman has lost none of her ability.

Watch this film.

Writer-director-producer James L. Brooks movies are good, interesting, and he knows how to let his characters develop. Brooks has always worked amazingly with his leading actresses. Paz Vega is no exception as she is amazing in her first leading role in an American movie. She plays Flor, a housekeeper who is hired for the summer by the Claskys, played by Adam Sandler and Tea Leoni. Vega shows that she can be funny and dramatic and do it just right without pushing it. She shows some brilliance in working with an American script.

Adam Sandler is great in what is more of a supporting role as John Clasky, a chef who is obsessed with being a good enough without raising the bar. Sandler is much more laid back and shows that he can do some good acting when the comedy and drama are mixed just right. Brooks shows us that he can have a good Adam Sandler performance without Adam Sandler being himself.

Tea Leoni shows some good acting chops as Sandler's lost and confused housewife. She is good in this role and shows that she can do good work as an actress. Cloris Leachman is brilliant as Leoni's mother who provides the voice of reason for her. Leachman is also funny at times.

James L. Brooks knows how to write and direct brilliantly to tell the story that he wants to tell. Brooks knows how to transition from scene to scene and have the transitions set up smoothly. Brooks is also great at directing his actors to get the performances that he wants.

An American comedy; A story about family problems and self-identity. Although it is a little oversimplified on its theme about how people express love, and uneven with some clunky sequences following the prelude, it recovers well. All the performances are good, especially the Spanish beauty Paz Vega who is charming, and Adam Sandler who gives a thoughtful portrayal.

I saw this film on the opening night, not quite sure whether it was going to be an 'Adam Sandler movie' or not. The trailer had warned me a bit that I wasn't going to see Sandler wielding a golf club or sprouting horns, but nonetheless, my obsession with all things Adam lured me in. I was disappointed by the fact that Sandler wasn't the lead role(Sandler was probably one of 4 protagonists). The rest of the cast is predominantly female, and this gives an indication of the film's feel. It's a bit like sticking Sandler in the middle of Steel Magnolias or Mystic Pizza. I was disappointed by that, but pleasantly surprised by the flow and feel of the movie. A bit cheesy in parts, but for those of us that like a bit of cheese, it often leaves a warm glow inside. There's enough of Sandler to please his fans, and even a couple of SHOUTING moments, even if he does apologise after one of them!! It's a nice film, it's a bit long, if you like Sandler, women, or Mexicans, you should probably see it.

This is a sweet film, not exactly realistic; everyone seems to be a little too much on type. Now I did not say everyone was stereotyped, just actors playing a type. Cloris Leachman is the drunken mother ignored by her striving, seemingly perfect daughter, Tea Leoni. Adam Sandler plays, er Adam Sandler, a successful, quirky, restrained Jewish guy. Paz Vega is smart, wise, Mexican, immigrant, and poor housekeeper to Sandler's two kids and cloying, controlling wife. Flour's daughter out of wedlock (How did that happen to such a wise woman?) takes the unhappy rich family under her wings as much as the language barrier will bear. That is it. Sandler is unhappy with narcissistic Leoni and well he should be. He pouts and grovels. Gradually he comes to appreciate Vega as the counterpoint to his neurotic wife.

I commend Sandler's attempt to move on from his dopey caricature, his screwball, gross-out roles. I am thinking of the underrated, Punch Drunk Love, when I say he's going adult in comedy or drama situations. Keep trying Adam. Someday you will be real.