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Spanglish
2004
With SPANGLISH, writer/director/producer James L. Brooks (AS GOOD AS IT GETS) unfurls yet another accomplished, tender, romantic comedy. Celebrated chef John Clasky (Adam Sandler) is the patriarch of the Clasky household, but the mood swings of his hypersensitive wife, Deborah (Tea Leoni), are what really runs the show. When .. Read more
| Starring | Adam Sandler, Tea Leoni, Paz Vega, Cloris Leachman |
|---|---|
| Director | James L. Brooks |
| Genres | Comedy, Romance |
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Critics' reviews
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Spanish and English-speaking cultures collide to poignant effect in this astute comedy drama from As Good as It Gets director James L Brooks. An engaging film that's anchored by strong performances, it sees Mexican single mother Flor (Paz Vega) become housekeeper to a rich but troubled LA couple (played by Adam Sandler and Téa Leoni). At first unable to communicate in English, she's thrown into an alien world, whose emotional mechanics she finds hard to understand. Initially, Leoni's shrill and highly-strung Deborah is as jarring to watch as she is for Flor to experience, which gives the picture a misleading sense of farce. Fortunately, the tale quickly finds its level, comfortably balancing wry laughs and uplifting sentiment. The contrast between Flor's pure heart and Deborah's unthinking bluntness is especially moving, highlighted perfectly by Flor's gentle interaction with her employers' daughter (a wonderful Sarah Steele). But it's Sandler's turn as the unhappy husband that's the real surprise, as he manages to be both effortlessly natural and quietly charming.
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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69 out of 83 people found this review helpful
Light comedy with a twist away from convention
With Adam Sandler in the cast, you feel you know what to expect from this: a soft rom-com. What you find hidden within is something far more special. This film, quite unexpectedly, has thrown off the typical hollywood failings of too easy rises and falls in the plot. Instead, you find yourself pulled into a film with heart, characters you can care about, and a dedication to getting the emotional balance right.
This is a comic film make no mistake, in places it is wonderfully funny, but it isn't a full-on comedy like so much Sandler is involved in. Indeed, Sandler sidesteps much of the humour, taking on the perhaps the most emotive character in the film, and shows great skill in dragging us along with him. Perhaps his greatest performance to date, this is a great film, and with a fantastic supporting cast, this is well worth a look whether or not you are a Sandler fan. -
16 out of 17 people found this review helpful
Hilarious, smart and touching
As my wife's Mexican and I'm Scottish we though this would be some light fun. However it's so much better than that, offering a wry, clever and hilarious take on US and latino families coming together. The leads are all strong, though the loudest laughs are for the sending up of the archetypal pushy American mother, and Sandler also shows surprising depth.
A must see -
13 out of 17 people found this review helpful
Beautifully crafted and superbly acted
The story of a mexican immigrant to USA, this shows the true divide between the cultures, yet the ability to love accross this. Narrated initially as a young girl applying to university, the film develops into a thoughtful and often funny tale of relationships. The acting is astounding, and the scene with the mum, daughter and the Adam Sandler character crossing the language divide is magic. One of the nicest films I have seen for some time.
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
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3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
SPANGLISH
IF YOUR RENTING THIS MOVIE BECAUSE YOUR AN ADAM SANDLER FAN, THEN YOUR IN FOR A SHOCK.
THIS ISN'T THE USUAL TYPE OF SANDLER MOVIE, IT'S MUCH MUCH BETTER.
SPANGLISH STARTS OF FAIRLY SLOW BUT REALLY GETS YOU INVOLVED, AND THE CHARACTERS ARE WELL WRITTEN AND VERY BELIEVEABLE.
THE STORYLINE IS GREAT AND ALTHOUGH FOR ME THIS FILM SEEMED TO DRAG ON A LITTLE BIT, IT WAS STILL HIGHLY ENJOYABLE.
MY ONLY COMPLAINT WAS THAT THE ENDING WAS VERY SUDDEN, IT SEEMS AS IF THE WRITERS GOT SO FAR AND THEN COULDN'T BE BOTHERED.
THE ENDING DOESN'T RUIN THE FILM THOUGH, IN FACT IT MAKES IT SEEM MORE REAL.
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE WATCHED A ROMANTIC COMEDY SAFE IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WHATEVER HAPPENS EVERYTHING TURNS OUT JUST FINE, THE GIRL GETS THE GUY AND VICE VERSA, THE NASTY CHARACTER ALWAYS GETS HIS/HER COMEUPPANCE AND WE ALL END UP FEELING WARM INSIDE.
WITHOUT GIVING THE ENDING AWAY SPANGLISH IS DIFFERENT THAN THAT.
IF YOUR LOOKING FOR ROMANCE, DRAMA, AND A FEW GOOD LAUGHS THEN GIVE THIS A SHOT, BUT IF YOU WANT A SICKLY SWEET LOVE STORY, THEN GO AND HIRE A RICHARD CURTIS MOVIE. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Rambling....
Paz Vega takes a break from getting naked in films for the Spanish market to star with Adam Sandler at his most confused and Téa Leoni at her most irritating in this light and rambling tale ostensibly about cultural division.
The issues are actually far more universal than that but aren't anchored in anything like a coherent structure and a pointless voice-over has been hastily added as if to justify the aimless events taking place.
The performances are generally fine but Brooks' direction is directionless.
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69 out of 83 people found this review helpful
Light comedy with a twist away from convention
With Adam Sandler in the cast, you feel you know what to expect from this: a soft rom-com. What you find hidden within is something far more special. This film, quite unexpectedly, has thrown off the typical hollywood failings of too easy rises and falls in the plot. Instead, you find yourself pulled into a film with heart, characters you can care about, and a dedication to getting the emotional balance right.
This is a comic film make no mistake, in places it is wonderfully funny, but it isn't a full-on comedy like so much Sandler is involved in. Indeed, Sandler sidesteps much of the humour, taking on the perhaps the most emotive character in the film, and shows great skill in dragging us along with him. Perhaps his greatest performance to date, this is a great film, and with a fantastic supporting cast, this is well worth a look whether or not you are a Sandler fan. -
16 out of 17 people found this review helpful
Hilarious, smart and touching
As my wife's Mexican and I'm Scottish we though this would be some light fun. However it's so much better than that, offering a wry, clever and hilarious take on US and latino families coming together. The leads are all strong, though the loudest laughs are for the sending up of the archetypal pushy American mother, and Sandler also shows surprising depth.
A must see -
13 out of 17 people found this review helpful
Beautifully crafted and superbly acted
The story of a mexican immigrant to USA, this shows the true divide between the cultures, yet the ability to love accross this. Narrated initially as a young girl applying to university, the film develops into a thoughtful and often funny tale of relationships. The acting is astounding, and the scene with the mum, daughter and the Adam Sandler character crossing the language divide is magic. One of the nicest films I have seen for some time.
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10 out of 13 people found this review helpful
Truly Terrible
Terrible idea badly executed. Very long winded with a dismal narrative and a terribly dull plot. This was bad beyond words. Some might call this a romantic comedy it was more like Chinese water torture. The only reason I didn't switch it off was on account of my inability to move due to my terrible hangover. Avoid Avoid Avoid.
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Enjoyable
If you're looking for something entertaining and feel good which won't stretch your brain too much - go for this! Ideal for a relaxing Friday night - light hearted but not in the J Lo boring-mind-numbing sense. Worth a rent.
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Nice, but nothing special
This is a nice film to pass away a couple of hours but don't expect a romantic comedy as its more about misunderstandings and language barriers. Adam Sandler is surprisingly good and understated so if you like his usual comedy stuff you will be disappointed. The best thing about this film however is Paz Vega who plays the Mexican homehelp - its almost worth seeing this film for her alone.
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Muy buena pelicula
Una pelicula muy viva, graciosa y para los que vivimos un mundo bilingue, muy relevante en muchos aspectos.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
another feel good romantic comedy.
In My Opinion this film, makes all the difference if you are an european like myself and understand the concept of using different languages within the household. This films shows funny situations and dramatic to do with having a good job and being well off to employ a housekeeper, who speaks little americanese.
If you can handle spanish without subtitles, and can accept the concept go watch it. -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
avoid
Avoid this film at all costs....boring/badly acted and just appalling script. Couldn't take it and switched it off 3/4 way through. wish I had done it earlier!
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
It's a Gem
I didn't think I would like this as much as I did but the movie has a basic good story.
The story is basic but the characters are complex and full, that I found myself involved with and cared about them. Sandler was a pleasant surprise in a seemingly serious role of a father and husband trying to hold his family together, while his maid is doing the same with her family and boundaries of language is conquered.
Critics' reviews
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Spanish and English-speaking cultures collide to poignant effect in this astute comedy drama from As Good as It Gets director James L Brooks. An engaging film that's anchored by strong performances, it sees Mexican single mother Flor (Paz Vega) become housekeeper to a rich but troubled LA couple (played by Adam Sandler and Téa Leoni). At first unable to communicate in English, she's thrown into an alien world, whose emotional mechanics she finds hard to understand. Initially, Leoni's shrill and highly-strung Deborah is as jarring to watch as she is for Flor to experience, which gives the picture a misleading sense of farce. Fortunately, the tale quickly finds its level, comfortably balancing wry laughs and uplifting sentiment. The contrast between Flor's pure heart and Deborah's unthinking bluntness is especially moving, highlighted perfectly by Flor's gentle interaction with her employers' daughter (a wonderful Sarah Steele). But it's Sandler's turn as the unhappy husband that's the real surprise, as he manages to be both effortlessly natural and quietly charming.
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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Spanglish
With SPANGLISH, writer/director/producer James L. Brooks (AS GOOD AS IT GETS) unfurls yet another accomplished, tender, romantic comedy. Celebrated chef John Clasky (Adam Sandler) is the patriarch of the Clasky household, but the mood swings of his hypersensitive wife, Deborah (Tea Leoni), are what ...
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