The Perez Family (1995)

Director:

Mira Nair

Writers (WGA):

Christine Bell (novel)
Robin Swicord (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 May 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Drama

Tagline:

On the way to finding a family, she found love.

Plot:

In an attempt to secure a sponsor, an unlikely group of Cuban refugees become a "family" as the U.S...

Plot Keywords:

Political Prisoner | Love | Immigration | Hispanic | Immigrant

US TV Schedule:

Fri. Dec. 4	1:30 PM	TMC
Thur. Dec. 10	2:30 PM	TMC

Cast

Marisa Tomei	...	Dorita Evita Perez
Alfred Molina	...	Juan Raul Perez
Anjelica Huston	...	Carmela Perez
Chazz Palminteri	...	Lt. John Pirelli
Trini Alvarado	...	Teresa Perez
Celia Cruz	...	Luz Pat
Ranjit Chowdhry	...	Indian immigration official
Diego Wallraff	...	Angel Diaz
Ellen Cleghorne	...	Officer Rhoades
Angela Lanza	...	Flavia
Jose Felipe Padron	...	Felipe Perez
Lázaro Pérez	...	Armando 'Papi' Perez
Bill Sage	...	Steve Steverino
Vincent Gallo	...	Orlando
Billy Hopkins	...	Father Aiden

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality and language.

Runtime:

UK:113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Coral Gables, Florida, USA

Company:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Trivia:

Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón was supposed to be directing this film, but pulled out before production started.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Dottie goes to make out with the security guard at the bar, the first wide shot shows her without her orange pants on, just black panties. In the next shot, she is wearing her pants, then the security guard precedes to pull them down, showing the black panties previously shown from a far distance in the first wide shot.

Movie Connections:

Features Angel and the Badman (1947)

I loved it!

I love this movie. I remember I was seeing a play "Ragtime" and I wondered if an immigration movie/play existed that was not incredibly depressing and then I remembered "The Perez Family".

It's like that excercise where a shrink tells the husband to pretend he's interested in sex with his wife and then it the feelings actually occur. Here they pretend to be a family to get through immigration and then they actually do begin to care for one another and be like a true family.

I also loved how it could get a little surealistic at moments. For example when they first arrive in the Oragebowl and Juan fears they're gonna be shot and then they are suddenly surrounded by a laughing crowd. Or the moment Juan sees his wife kissing the cop and as he crushes the photo we see a red stain appear over his heart. That was so subtle I only caught it with repeated vewings. The soundtrach even is simpally amazing. And yes Marisa Tomei has never been hotter! ;-)

I also loved a lot of the minor roles such as the Indian immigration official who clearly realizes what's going on and clearly doesn't care. I loved that little sarcastic eyeroll he does when he talks about, "Cowboys . . . and Indians!"

Overall it's just such a sweet heartwarming film which is such a change from the usual "the more depressing the more deep and artistic" immigration film. Sure some of it was pretty silly, coincidental, and over the top but "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" wasn't?