Barnes & Noble

Formidably talented writer-director James L. Brooks (Broadcast News) examines the clash of Anglo and Hispanic cultures in this neatly developed dramedy, which among other things marks the emergence of screen funnyman Adam Sandler as a genuine leading man. He plays celebrity chef John Clasky, the mild-mannered dad in a plush if dysfunctional household run by his batty, insecure wife, Deborah (Tea Leoni). A semblance of order is provided by new maid, Flor Moreno (Paz Vega), an iron-willed single mother who worries that her adolescent daughter, Cristina (Shelbie Bruce), will be seduced by the Claskys’ materialistic lifestyle and lose her traditional values. Brooks manages to bring out the best and worst in his principal characters, who all emerge as fully rounded, complex people rather than convenient stereotypes. He’s particularly adept at depicting a growing rapport between John and Flor that ultimately threatens to complicate their employer-employee relationship. This is a breakout role for Vega, a Spanish actress of unique charm and ability. She represents the collision of passion, beauty, and sex appeal with native intelligence and old-fashioned common sense; her characterization of the proud, determined Flor helps the film immeasurably. Brooks has always delivered works that not only entertain his viewers but also make them think -- a trend Spanglish happily continues. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

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

Product Details

• UPC: 043396048522
• Source: SONY PICTURES
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Français
• Subtitles: English, Français
• Time: 2:11:00
• Sales Rank: 13,418

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Spanglish / As Good As It Gets

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