The Perez Family (1995)
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63% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
48% of users liked it
(1,540 ratings)
Old and new loves are turned upside down through a complex case of mistaken identities in this romantic comedy-drama. In 1980, Juan Raul Perez (Alfred Molina) is released from a Cuban prison after spending 20 years behind bars and is allowed to join a mass emigration to the U.S. While Juan was… More Old and new loves are turned upside down through a complex case of mistaken identities in this romantic comedy-drama. In 1980, Juan Raul Perez (Alfred Molina) is released from a Cuban prison after spending 20 years behind bars and is allowed to join a mass emigration to the U.S. While Juan was incarcerated, his wife Carmela Perez (Anjelica Huston) escaped to Florida with their daughter, and Juan lives for the day when they can be reunited. En route to Miami, Juan meets Dottie Perez (Marisa Tomei), a fiery young woman who wants to leave behind her career as a prostitute. Juan and Carmela miss finding each other when his boat reaches Miami, and immigration personnel mistakenly assume that Juan and Dottie Perez are husband and wife; when they learn that families tend to find American sponsors much faster than individuals, they play along with the mistake, even convincing other Perezes to pose as their child and grandfather. Juan discovers that trying to renew an old relationship isn't easy as one tries to start a new life, especially since Carmela has attracted the attentions of police lieutenant John Pirelli (Chazz Palminteri). Cuban jazz legend Arturo Sandoval contributed to the soundtrack. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, Variety
Mira Nair's consistent exploration of the search for home is admirable, but her movie is burdened by an unconvincing ensemble that's unable to elevate the serio-comic exploration of Cuban immigrants into a poignant tale.
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Mike Clark, USA Today
Mira Nair's Mississippi Masala found humor in ethnic chaos, and the Indian-born director does so again.
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Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Sensuous and lush with a hint of Allende's magical realism in the bleeding of a man's broken heart and a string of rose petals trailing a line along the belly of a new lover.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Marisa Tomei
as Dottie Perez
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Alfred Molina
as Juan Raul Perez
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Anjelica Huston
as Carmela Perez
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Chazz Palminteri
as Lt. John Pirelli
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Trini Alvarado
as Teresa Perez
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Celia Cruz
as Luz Pat
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Sarita Choudhury
as Josette
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Ranjit Chowdhry
as Ranjit Indian Immigration Official
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Ellen Cleghorne
as Officer Rhoades
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Robert Escobar
as Rivera
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Mel Gorham
as Vilma/Raquel
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Salvadore Levy
as Customer #2
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Marc Macaulay
as Male Volunteer
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Norman Max Maxwell
as Gate Guard
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Lázaro Pérez
as Armando "Papi" Perez
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Ruben Rabasa
as Father Martinez
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Bill Sage
as Steve Steverino
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Luis Torres
as Guajiro Drummer #1
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Vincent Gallo
as Orlando
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Mira Nair
as Woman Buying Flowers
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Antoni Corone
as Security
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Ángeles González Sinde
as Guajiro Drummer
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Billy Hopkins
as Father Aiden
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Diego Wallraff
as Angel Diaz
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Roberto Escobar
as Rivera
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Angela Lanza
as Flavia
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Gustavo Laborie
as Cuban Official
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Luis Raul
as News Photographer
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Melissa Ramone
as Young Carmela
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Ana Carballosa
as Woman of Many Faces
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José Felipe Padron
as Felipe Perez
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Melissa Anne Acosta
as Isabel
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Magaly Aguelo
as Angel's Secretary
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Paloma Delaijrentil
as Transvestite on Boat
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Bernard Fouquet
as Customer
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Oscar Gonzalez
as Old Guajiro
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Sandor Juan
as Vendor
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Jorge Luis Ramone
as Cuban Prison Guard
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Glenda Diaz Rigau
as Giovanna
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Florencio Santana
as Old Guajiro
