The Perez Family (1995)

63% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
49% of users liked it
(1,510 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Mira Nair
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: May 12, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Apr 1, 2003
Studio: Hallmark Entertainment

Critic Reviews

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.
Mike Clark, USA Today
Mira Nair's Mississippi Masala found humor in ethnic chaos, and the Indian-born director does so again.
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.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

A ridiculous comedy, which seems to have a much worthy cast than this film gives it credit; Chaz Palminteri, Angelica Houston, Marissa Tomei and Vincent Gallo all of whom have appeared in much better quality films. The idea as a film is quite comical I guess, collecting family… More
A ridiculous comedy, which seems to have a much worthy cast than this film gives it credit; Chaz Palminteri, Angelica Houston, Marissa Tomei and Vincent Gallo all of whom have appeared in much better quality films. The idea as a film is quite comical I guess, collecting family members to create a fiamily, but it was simply a film with a little bit of potential that went horribly wrong.
Leo L

An all-time favorite!

Cast

            Marisa Tomei as Dottie Perez

            Alfred Molina as Juan Raul Perez

            Anjelica Huston as Carmela Perez

            Chazz Palminteri as Lt. John Pirelli

            Trini Alvarado as Teresa Perez

            Celia Cruz as Luz Pat

            Sarita Choudhury as Josette

            Ranjit Chowdhry as Ranjit Indian Immigration Official

            Ellen Cleghorne as Officer Rhoades

            Robert Escobar as Rivera

            Mel Gorham as Vilma/Raquel

            Salvadore Levy as Customer #2

            Marc Macaulay as Male Volunteer

            Norman Max Maxwell as Gate Guard

            Lázaro Pérez as Armando "Papi" Perez

            Ruben Rabasa as Father Martinez

            Bill Sage as Steve Steverino

            Luis Torres as Guajiro Drummer #1

            Vincent Gallo as Orlando

            Mira Nair as Woman Buying Flowers

            Antoni Corone as Security

            Ángeles González Sinde as Guajiro Drummer

            Billy Hopkins as Father Aiden

            Diego Wallraff as Angel Diaz

            Roberto Escobar as Rivera

            Angela Lanza as Flavia

            Gustavo Laborie as Cuban Official

            Luis Raul as News Photographer

            Melissa Ramone as Young Carmela

            Ana Carballosa as Woman of Many Faces

            José Felipe Padron as Felipe Perez

            Melissa Anne Acosta as Isabel

            Magaly Aguelo as Angel's Secretary

            Paloma Delaijrentil as Transvestite on Boat

            Bernard Fouquet as Customer

            Oscar Gonzalez as Old Guajiro

            Sandor Juan as Vendor

            Jorge Luis Ramone as Cuban Prison Guard

            Glenda Diaz Rigau as Giovanna

            Florencio Santana as Old Guajiro
See full cast