Spanglish (2004)

53% of critics liked it
(164 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(181,158 ratings)

A Hispanic woman and her young daughter are thrown into the middle of a well-to-do but remarkably dysfunctional family in this comedy drama from writer and director James L. Brooks. Flor (Paz Vega) is a single mother who has struggled to support her daughter Cristina (Shelbie Bruce) working as a… More A Hispanic woman and her young daughter are thrown into the middle of a well-to-do but remarkably dysfunctional family in this comedy drama from writer and director James L. Brooks. Flor (Paz Vega) is a single mother who has struggled to support her daughter Cristina (Shelbie Bruce) working as a domestic in Mexico. Hoping to give her daughter greater financial security, Flor packs up their belongings and moves the family to California, but Flor refuses to surrender her Latino identity and opts not to learn English; meanwhile, Cristina quickly learns to speak the language fluently. Flor lands a high-paying job working as a housekeeper for Deborah Clasky (Téa Leoni); Deborah doesn't speak a word of Spanish, but this is hardly the most curious thing about their working relationship. A deeply troubled neurotic who has spent time in a mental hospital, Deborah is at once obsessed with her duties as a wife and mother and utterly clueless to her family's needs, and when she learns that Flor has a daughter, she insists that the girl move in with the Claskys. Flor, however, isn't so sure she wants Deborah Americanizing Cristina, especially when Deborah begins doting on the girl at the expense of her relationship with her own daughter, Bernice (Sarah Steele). Deborah's husband, John (Adam Sandler), is an oasis of loving calm and understanding in the midst of his chaotic family, and Flor becomes attracted to this man who shows no signs of the arrogant machismo she's accustomed to. But John's career as a chef is turned upside down when The New York Times gives his restaurant a four-star review, suddenly turning his small eatery into the "in" spot in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Flor reaches the end of her patience when Deborah enrolls Cristina into an exclusive private school which Flor is certain will turn her into a typical American child and drive a wedge between Cristina and her mother. Spanglish also stars Cloris Leachman as Deborah's sharp-tongued mother. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 10 min.
Directed By: James L. Brooks
Written By: James L. Brooks
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 17, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Apr 5, 2005
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Critic Reviews

David Ansen, Newsweek
There are signs that a lot has been cut, and in trimming his film Brooks may have squeezed too tight: his movie needs breathing space.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
The film gets better as it goes along ... and all the characters, including Deborah, become more interesting and appealing as we get to know them better.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Brooks, fumbling around with too many characters and too many issues, can't find the heart of the story or give heart to the part of it he chose to focus on.
David Edelstein, Slate
The movie is what in Hollywood they call 'character-driven,' and it does take its sweet time. But much of that time is sweet indeed.
Charles Taylor, Salon.com
Offensive because it turns liberal self-abasement into self-congratulation.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Sometimes Brooks's ideas are legitimate, but his way of putting them across is dishonest. Sometimes the ideas are dishonest, but his way of putting them across is legitimate.
Joshua Starnes, ComingSoon.net
Spanglish is a heartfelt, funny, sad, human story about what people want and what they should do; about culture's colliding and maintaining their individuality; and about what parents do for their children.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Mixed messages wrapped in stale stereotypes.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
It's no masterpiece--I can admit--but the performances won me over in the end...
Anna Smith, Film4
There's a distinct lack of chemistry here and a strong whiff of moral sermonizing that undermines the romantic impact.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
The film racks up points for stressing in eloquent ways the importance of one's own roots, even when dwarfed or demeaned by the lure of the dominant, more affluent culture.
Mary Lasse, Christianity Today
While the content isn't always pretty, the lessons are important. And, Brooks, thankfully, isn't afraid to face these themes, ugliness and all.
Ian Freer, Empire Magazine
A satisfying and grown-up flick that boasts all of James L. Brooksâ(TM) strengths.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
This is Hollywood liberal humanism as muted join-the-dots melodrama, all carefully calculated colouring, broad outlines, and no room for fruitful digression.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Phony bourgeois film.
Scott Tobias, AV Club
Vega radiates effortless strength and charm in her first Hollywood role, and Sandler proves to be a gratifyingly unpredictable leading man, self-effacing one moment and hilariously emphatic the other.
Cynthia Fuchs, PopMatters
Much as Spanglish makes their mutual attraction look magically real and charming, the prospect of John and Flor's romance remains alarming, and not just for the questions it raises about sleeping with the help.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

An interesting ensemble piece with wonderful performances by all concerned. One of Sandler's best, Leoni a diamond of neediness, Leachman ... one of my all time favs, and Vega perhaps the strong center of the film as, of all things, the Mexican maid (what, they couldn't… More
An interesting ensemble piece with wonderful performances by all concerned. One of Sandler's best, Leoni a diamond of neediness, Leachman ... one of my all time favs, and Vega perhaps the strong center of the film as, of all things, the Mexican maid (what, they couldn't find any Mexicans in L.A. to play a Mexican?). Although it lacks something ... maybe ... it's still better than most cut-and-dried romcoms.
Steven C

"Spanglish" is the lesser of James L. Brooks' directorial efforts mainly because he is trying so obviously for cultural commentary. His films are better when he is showing a character's nuance objectively ("As Good As It Gets"). While… More
"Spanglish" is the lesser of James L. Brooks' directorial efforts mainly because he is trying so obviously for cultural commentary. His films are better when he is showing a character's nuance objectively ("As Good As It Gets"). While "Spanglish" is not a bad film by any stretch of the imagination, it just does not go as far as it should. It's narrative is hindered by the way it's delivered and it unfortunately keeps us at a bit of an arms length from the characters. I enjoyed all the performances, especially Tea Leoni for being so aggressively unlikable, but in the end, you never have much to truly tether yourself to.
Spencer S

The ever amazing dramatic performance of Sandler, the desperaging Leoni, and the foolhard Vega all work in tandem very well.
Richard C

C+
Chris W

This is a movie where I could just shut up and enjoy it, taking it at face value, or I could totally use it in a discussion about the modern immigrant experience in the United States. Regardless, it's a good movie. It's a tad too long, and drags in places, but it's… More
This is a movie where I could just shut up and enjoy it, taking it at face value, or I could totally use it in a discussion about the modern immigrant experience in the United States. Regardless, it's a good movie. It's a tad too long, and drags in places, but it's pretty solid nonetheless. The perferomances are terrific. Paz Vega steals the show in a career making (and difficult) role. Tea Leoni makes you hate her character, and thus also gives a successful performances. Sandler was cast before Brooks saw him in Punch Drunk Love, and like that movie, he does another really good job showing that he has chops, and can do something other than juvenille comedy films. As much as I used to like Sandler's funny movies, I think i enjoy him in these types of roles more. It's fun seeing Cloris Leachman in a key supporting role. She's got good comedic timing, and is one of the most likeable characters in the Of the children, Luna/Bruce are really good as a child torn between two worlds, and while Steele, and the little boy are decent, their characters are sadly underwritten. Steele has some great moments, but they should have done a bit more with the character. Had they done more though, they should have been careful not to deal with the character in too stereotypical of a way that is common with the character she plays. What I'm saying is that see needed more screentime, but thankfully what she does have is very nuanced and nicely done. I've only now seen two of Jame L. Brooks's films, but I like him. His movies to me are very truthful. They have their moments of sentiment and whimsy, but don't shy away from hitting into some very human topics, no matter how painful or uncomfortable they may be. Some have called this movie mean spirited, and to an extent, yes it is, but so is life. I applaud this film for having so much to offer, and for beng gutsy enough to tackle several tough issues all in one film. And not only that, but for succeeding at it.
KJ P

I liked it, even though it is really dull in some areas!
Conner R

While it's not bad looking and actually has an interesting plot, it just falls flat with the performances. Everyone is either yelling or being boring, there is no emotional depth to any character. I felt like maybe with another cast it could've been good. Tea Leoni was… More
While it's not bad looking and actually has an interesting plot, it just falls flat with the performances. Everyone is either yelling or being boring, there is no emotional depth to any character. I felt like maybe with another cast it could've been good. Tea Leoni was probably the most well groomed actor, but was still hurt by the surrounding cast.
Thomas B

one of adam sandler's best roles, spanglish is a touching though funny story about two people, drawn together, despite extenuating circumstances. deborah clasky is brilliant as adam sandler's insane wife.
Curtis L

Pretty good actually. Adam Sandler finally didn't drive me insane in a movie.
Lorenzo v

Spanglish is a tremendous movie that deals with the portrayal of real people and their formative psychology. To me it seemed so real and full of true life value and meaning. Truly a pleasant surprise and great movie. This amazing movie has great communication throughout including… More
Spanglish is a tremendous movie that deals with the portrayal of real people and their formative psychology. To me it seemed so real and full of true life value and meaning. Truly a pleasant surprise and great movie. This amazing movie has great communication throughout including dazzling scenes with the use of two languages in full bloom. It has strong rich character development over the entire cast of characters. The viewer can empathize with these characters and truly understand and feel their emotions and their very source. The movies is a story of two cultures and two mothers. It is a story of the human spirit that takes the viewer through a range of emotions.
Dean M

Wonderful and little emotional of the comic-drama family of an immigrant Mexican single mother becomes embroiled in the domestic crises of the well-to-do family she works for. Great performances, especially by sexy Spanish Paz Vega, her first English-language and Hollywood film, as… More
Wonderful and little emotional of the comic-drama family of an immigrant Mexican single mother becomes embroiled in the domestic crises of the well-to-do family she works for. Great performances, especially by sexy Spanish Paz Vega, her first English-language and Hollywood film, as the housekeeper and Tea Leoni as her high-strung employer, can't overcome a lumpy script that veers back and forth between sitcom and soap opera.
Jennifer X

very sweet movie about language barriers but dragged.
jay n

cholris leachman is terrific, the rest of the movie is missing that certain something
Red L

This was made more interesting as we saw it while spending a month in Mexico.
Jason S

Left me wanting more of a conclusion.
Leigh R

It was pretty okay.
Lanning :

Not unbearable. One star for Leachman. One star for Steele; I see a bright future for her. Very personable on screen. No stars for Vega, but she has potential too. If Leoni wants to keep doing movies, she really needs to take some acting lessons. Sandler has to become more… More
Not unbearable. One star for Leachman. One star for Steele; I see a bright future for her. Very personable on screen. No stars for Vega, but she has potential too. If Leoni wants to keep doing movies, she really needs to take some acting lessons. Sandler has to become more selective about projects. This is really not his best.
Mike N

I think the peak of holiday spirit has got to be Dec. 10th-15th, somewhere around there. By the time the 22nd-23rd roll around, you just want it to be Christmas already. All this edge-of-your-seat anticipation. Eh, perhaps it's just me. And no, I'm not humbuggin' out at… More
I think the peak of holiday spirit has got to be Dec. 10th-15th, somewhere around there. By the time the 22nd-23rd roll around, you just want it to be Christmas already. All this edge-of-your-seat anticipation. Eh, perhaps it's just me. And no, I'm not humbuggin' out at all. ;) My excitement exists in great big heaps, but these heaps have seen bigger days. But the holiday tunes have been blaring so much that I half-feel I'm training for Christmas Music Jeopardy. Blargh. Reached -2 degrees F here tonight. Yes, that's a minus sign. You can crack your face in such frigidity. I'm not so sure it's blustering snow outside as it is a thousand people's dry skin. :D *gag* Felt like writing a little, so here are some particularly Neumish poems: [size=1] Propelling past the yardsticks With a face of dried amusement Sure I'd stop and smell the napalm If I knew what all the news meant Seize the air of flipping's page My blindness writes my words Yet this turbine wreathed of hands and feet Unites the circus herds My lines fall plague to debted cries Deflection of all ages Metal-minded neon pageant? The quota grinds their stages Lambasted with entropic slang Our madhouse throbbing bright I'll thumb my nose and sing a whistle Failure's staying another night [b]Die For You[/b] For your undying love, I would liquefy the largest zombie In a blender of the greatest power Add a dash of cinnamon And serve you the result For your undying love, I'd impale the ditzy cheerleaders At the senior prom using steel javelins Primp it all into a pretty bouquet And present it to you For your undying love, I would swipe a chainsaw into a vampire's face Draining its blood using a giant rolling pin Donate it to a hospital in need And put the charity in your name For your undying love, I'd flood the teacher's lounge with sulfuric acid Mop up the melted skin and mix it with mayonnaise Use the goo to create a beautiful expressionist painting And mount it on your bathroom wall For your undying love, I would dissect five hundred thousand alien corpses Using your boss's sharpened right femur to make incisions Make maracas out of the hardened eyeballs and dried stomach pouches And name the fifth track on the Latin music CD after you For your undying love, I'd give you anything of the utmost beauty Do whatever you desire to put me in your favor Just don't ask me to write you a poem Because baby, I don't go for that crap [b]No Nocturne[/b] It is a dull tragedy that my very notes are ignored My best words piled, buzzing in decay A fool! A fool I am unto my own unrevisions And now I sit in cosmic isolation Where anybody ever is Stowing through the galaxy of lonely, wisping eyes Lulled...by the fire, the face, and its forgeries Someone Offer me a drink of farewell Let me sleep this once Thin whiffs of music seep from the speakers There she is; a haunt in my breath again A shudder of warm shards in prismatic overthrow With some compulsive device I must destroy her Tear the stone and ice from strongholds of empire bitterness! But the steal-beamed memory crashes on itself In a satellite wink Oh, it is dark in this vacuum Can one measure the promises in ashtray content? Can one hide the days inside an empty pillowcase? Let me tell you about the weight that I've been bearing Said the mountain to the man I have to make-believe the year with emotions oversoon The summer of frowns now smile We forgot to perform the show tune ending The one with glad remembrances and eloquent afterthought With ache that smiles loudly in my gold imagination She glides in a style with no impulse to thank And now my mind is the museum of her last self to me ...how did you look again? Ah, I cannot unhinge my eyelids to end the spinning universe Only ghosts of color in the bulging blackness I dream better with my eyes open Let me tell you about the light that I've been seeing Said the candle to the flame Beauty be but a tale of greater passions A storm of a thousand lashes and a sky of butter and rose But daring as I may, and may I be so marvelous The minstrel in my head is strumming a familiar thought Her touch...as warm and deep as the southern summer As it occurs to me what it means to be human To be human! Oh, let us exist in a happy glade somewhere Where every kiss will save the world Gulping our absolute togetherness and absolutely nothing else How I need this complication... Shivering The dependable winter moon benumbs my strawberry fancy I am plunged beneath river, rock and earth The utter efficacy of my awayness Gestured in a false gestalt Withered tree of purpose, now flickered to villainous cinders My cooing middle tied in knots to stop the bleeding Static drains from the speakers ...Where are my best words to paperclip this noise? Let me tell you about the dreams that I keep having Said the statue to the world [size=2]Please critique with extreme prejudice. Or skim and tell me I'm awesome; whatever works. Happy Holidays, everybody! :) (I'll be 'caroling' to plenty of you journal regulars later :p) [/size][/size]
Juan C

a comedy mixed with taste and laughs of it's own! James L. Brooks has crafted a terrific comedy that is hillarious, yet with a sense of heartbroke. adam sandler is terrific and hillarious, as usual. a comedy full of flare, taste, language, humor, heartbroke, and a special… More
a comedy mixed with taste and laughs of it's own! James L. Brooks has crafted a terrific comedy that is hillarious, yet with a sense of heartbroke. adam sandler is terrific and hillarious, as usual. a comedy full of flare, taste, language, humor, heartbroke, and a special technique in feeling! James L. Brooks has done it again of crafting yet another perfect comedy! A+
Christopher O

A breakout performance by Paz Vega can't save this whiny Study of a spoiled yuppie and her mistreatment of her Husband and daughter. Tea Leoni grates on your nerves and Adam Sandler does a 180 degree turn as a balanced human being and for the most part is likeable. James Brooks… More
A breakout performance by Paz Vega can't save this whiny Study of a spoiled yuppie and her mistreatment of her Husband and daughter. Tea Leoni grates on your nerves and Adam Sandler does a 180 degree turn as a balanced human being and for the most part is likeable. James Brooks tries hard to use his magic but the script just isn't strong enough.