A Day Without a Mexican (2004)
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29% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
39% of users liked it
(8,303 ratings)
Marking the directorial debut of Sergio Arau, son of Like Water for Chocolate director Alfonso Arau, A Day Without a Mexican ponders the potentially catastrophic results that would occur if California-based Mexicans, who make up over a third of the state's population, were to suddenly disappear.… More Marking the directorial debut of Sergio Arau, son of Like Water for Chocolate director Alfonso Arau, A Day Without a Mexican ponders the potentially catastrophic results that would occur if California-based Mexicans, who make up over a third of the state's population, were to suddenly disappear. The mockumentary postulates that the lack of Latino gardeners, nannies, cooks, policeman, maids, teachers, farm workers, construction crews, entertainers, athletes, and the world's largest growing consumer market would create a social, political, and economic disaster, leaving the concept of the "California Dream" in shambles. A Day Without a Mexican proved controversial even before its release: promotional billboards reading "On May 14th, there will be no Mexicans in California" caused a stir with immigrant rights groups, who believed the sign was a statement against the Latino community. The film stars Yareli Arizmendi, John Getz, Maureen Flannigan, and Muse Watson. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi
- Directed By
- Sergio Arau
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- May 14, 2004 Wide
- On DVD
- Nov 9, 2004
- Studio
- Televisa Cine
Critic Reviews
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Marta Barber, Miami Herald
As many times you consider A Day Without a Mexican a crude and underdeveloped parody, there are moments that it vindicates itself with on-the-money situations.
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Achy Obejas, Chicago Tribune
The movie in its extended version is frequently muddled, emotionally messy, a little heavy-handed and misses the real opportunity presented by the new format.
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Michael Booth, Denver Post
Charming if amateurish farce of a movie.
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Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
By the film's end, we're more beleaguered than enlightened.
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John McMurtrie, San Francisco Chronicle
The tone is often that of a preachy after-school special, down to the instructional messages that regularly flash across the screen.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Yareli Arizmendi
as Lila Rodriguez
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John Getz
as State Sen. Abercrombie
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Maureen Flannigan
as Mary Jo Quintana
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Muse Watson
as Louis McClaire
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Caroline Aaron
as Aunt Gigi
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Melinda Allen
as Ellen Abercrombie
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Eduardo Palomo
as Roberto Quintana
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Bru Muller
as George McClaire
