My Family (1995)

83% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
86% of users liked it
(6,106 ratings)

Featuring Jennifer Lopez in her first major big-screen role, Gregory Nava's My Family traces three generations of the Sanchez's, a Mexican-American family living in East Los Angeles. Beginning in the 1930s, the film outlines the struggles faced by Jose (Jacob Vargas) and Maria (Lopez) as a recently… More Featuring Jennifer Lopez in her first major big-screen role, Gregory Nava's My Family traces three generations of the Sanchez's, a Mexican-American family living in East Los Angeles. Beginning in the 1930s, the film outlines the struggles faced by Jose (Jacob Vargas) and Maria (Lopez) as a recently immigrated married couple raising a family. As Jose and Maria age, the focus shifts to their son, Jimmy (Jimmy Smits), as he starts his own family in the 1960s. While Lopez' role was uncredited, she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her performance. My Family has also been released under the titles My Family, Mi Familia, Cafe Con Leche, and East L.A. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 5 min.
Directed By: Gregory Nava
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: May 3, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Apr 6, 2004
Studio: New Line Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An ambitious sweeping epic made for a meager $5 1/2 million about three generations of a Mexican-American family.
Teresa Talerico, Common Sense Media
Epic, dramatic tale of a Mexican-American family.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Too sprawling and disappointingly sentimental, this family saga is nonetheless Gregory Nava's breakthrough feature, made on a larger canvas with bigger budget and name cast (Jimmy Smits, Edward James Olmos, Esai Morales).
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Touching and often mystical portrait of a multi-generational Mexican-American family in East Los Angeles.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leo L

Great movie!

Cast

            Scott Bakula as David Ronconi

            Bibi Besch as Mrs. Gillespie

            Susana Campos as Little Irene

            Elpidia Carrillo as Isabel Magana

            Willie C. Carpenter as I.N.S. Guard

            Enrique J. Castillo as Memo Sanchez

            Michael De Lorenzo as Butch Mejia

            Alicia del Lago as Maria's Aunt

            Angelina Estrada as Woman with Groceries

            Jenny Gago as Maria Sanchez

            Bruce Gray as Mr. Gillespie

            Samuel Hernandez as Mariachi

            Ernie Lively as Sergeant

            Rosalee Mayeux as Maria's Employer

            Delana Michaels as Judge

            Esai Morales as Chucho

            Lupe Ontiveros as Irene Sanchez

            Dedee Pfeiffer as Karen Gillespie

            Valente Rodriguez as Chucho's Friend

            Eduardo López Rojas as Jose Sanchez

            Saachiko as Nurse

            Jimmy Smits as Jimmy Sanchez

            Mary Steenburgen as Gloria

            Michael Tomlinson as Dr. McNally

            Jacob Vargas as Young Jose Sanchez

            Valerie Wildman as Sunny Gloria's Friend

            Abel Woolrich as Ox Cart Driver

            Edward James Olmos as Paco the Narrator

            Jennifer Lopez as Young Maria (uncredited)

            Thomas Rosales Jr. as The Boatman

            Ruben Sierra as Gerardo

            Peter Mark Vasquez as Prison Guard

            Amelia Zapata as Roberto's Girlfriend

            Maria Canals as Young Irene Sanchez

            Jonathan Hernandez as Young Jimmy

            Constance Marie as Toni Sanchez

            Leon Singer as El Californio

            Rafael Cortés as Roberto

            Ivette Reina
            
See full cast