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Adam Sandler, Téa Leoni, Paz Vega, Cloris Leachman, Shelbie Bruce ... see more see more... , Sarah Steele , Ian Hyland , Victoria Luna , Thomas Haden Church , Freddy Soto

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... read more read more... 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, Rovi

Flixster Users

62% liked it

181,158 ratings

Critics

53% liked it

164 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 10 min.

Directed by: James L. Brooks

Release Date: December 17, 2004

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DVD Release Date: April 5, 2005

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Stats: 7,727 reviews

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Adam Sandler Paz in Spanglish Spanglish Spanglish Hi Paz! T`ea Spanglish T`ea Premiere: Spanglish - 12/9/2004 Aimee Garcia Premiere: Spanglish Spanglish Spanglish Spanglish
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Flixster Reviews (7,727)

  • moonrivers
    June 18, 2011
    moonrivers
    An interesting ensemble piece with wonderful performances by all concerned. One of Sandler's best, Leoni a diamond of neediness, Leachman ... one of my all time favs, and Vega perhaps the strong center of the film as, of all things, the Mexican maid (what, they couldn't find any... read more Mexicans in L.A. to play a Mexican?). Although it lacks something ... maybe ... it's still better than most cut-and-dried romcoms.
  • stevenecarrier
    November 26, 2010
    stevenecarrier
    "Spanglish" is the lesser of James L. Brooks' directorial efforts mainly because he is trying so obviously for cultural commentary. His films are better when he is showing a character's nuance objectively ("As Good As It Gets"). While "Spanglish" is not a bad film by any stretch ... read moreof the imagination, it just does not go as far as it should. It's narrative is hindered by the way it's delivered and it unfortunately keeps us at a bit of an arms length from the characters. I enjoyed all the performances, especially Tea Leoni for being so aggressively unlikable, but in the end, you never have much to truly tether yourself to.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 2, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    The ever amazing dramatic performance of Sandler, the desperaging Leoni, and the foolhard Vega all work in tandem very well.
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    July 21, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    C+
  • cosmo313
    March 20, 2010
    cosmo313
    This is a movie where I could just shut up and enjoy it, taking it at face value, or I could totally use it in a discussion about the modern immigrant experience in the United States. Regardless, it's a good movie. It's a tad too long, and drags in places, but it's pretty solid n... read moreonetheless. The perferomances are terrific. Paz Vega steals the show in a career making (and difficult) role. Tea Leoni makes you hate her character, and thus also gives a successful performances. Sandler was cast before Brooks saw him in Punch Drunk Love, and like that movie, he does another really good job showing that he has chops, and can do something other than juvenille comedy films. As much as I used to like Sandler's funny movies, I think i enjoy him in these types of roles more. It's fun seeing Cloris Leachman in a key supporting role. She's got good comedic timing, and is one of the most likeable characters in the Of the children, Luna/Bruce are really good as a child torn between two worlds, and while Steele, and the little boy are decent, their characters are sadly underwritten. Steele has some great moments, but they should have done a bit more with the character. Had they done more though, they should have been careful not to deal with the character in too stereotypical of a way that is common with the character she plays. What I'm saying is that see needed more screentime, but thankfully what she does have is very nuanced and nicely done.

    I've only now seen two of Jame L. Brooks's films, but I like him. His movies to me are very truthful. They have their moments of sentiment and whimsy, but don't shy away from hitting into some very human topics, no matter how painful or uncomfortable they may be. Some have called this movie mean spirited, and to an extent, yes it is, but so is life.

    I applaud this film for having so much to offer, and for beng gutsy enough to tackle several tough issues all in one film. And not only that, but for succeeding at it.
  • fb733768972
    February 6, 2010
    fb733768972
    I liked it, even though it is really dull in some areas!
  • ythelastman89
    January 17, 2010
    ythelastman89
    While it's not bad looking and actually has an interesting plot, it just falls flat with the performances. Everyone is either yelling or being boring, there is no emotional depth to any character. I felt like maybe with another cast it could've been good. Tea Leoni was probably t... read morehe most well groomed actor, but was still hurt by the surrounding cast.
  • TomBowler
    August 2, 2009
    TomBowler
    one of adam sandler's best roles, spanglish is a touching though funny story about two people, drawn together, despite extenuating circumstances. deborah clasky is brilliant as adam sandler's insane wife.
  • puffchunk
    October 1, 2007
    puffchunk
    Pretty good actually. Adam Sandler finally didn't drive me insane in a movie.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    September 14, 2007
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    Spanglish is a tremendous movie that deals with the portrayal of real people and their formative psychology. To me it seemed so real and full of true life value and meaning. Truly a pleasant surprise and great movie.

    This amazing movie has great communication throughout includin... read moreg dazzling scenes with the use of two languages in full bloom. It has strong rich character development over the entire cast of characters. The viewer can empathize with these characters and truly understand and feel their emotions and their very source.

    The movies is a story of two cultures and two mothers. It is a story of the human spirit that takes the viewer through a range of emotions.

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Critic Reviews

David Ansen
November 1, 2007
David Ansen, Newsweek

There are signs that a lot has been cut, and in trimming his film Brooks may have squeezed too tight: his movie needs breathing space. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
January 13, 2005
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

The film gets better as it goes along ... and all the characters, including Deborah, become more interesting and appealing as we get to know them better. Full Review

Roger Moore
December 21, 2004
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Brooks, fumbling around with too many characters and too many issues, can't find the heart of the story or give heart to the part of it he chose to focus on. Full Review

David Edelstein
December 21, 2004
David Edelstein, Slate

The movie is what in Hollywood they call 'character-driven,' and it does take its sweet time. But much of that time is sweet indeed. Full Review

Charles Taylor
December 18, 2004
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

Offensive because it turns liberal self-abasement into self-congratulation. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
December 17, 2004
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Sometimes Brooks's ideas are legitimate, but his way of putting them across is dishonest. Sometimes the ideas are dishonest, but his way of putting them across is legitimate. Full Review

Desson Thomson
December 17, 2004
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The movie's funny and wicked fun. Full Review

Stephen Hunter
December 17, 2004
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

So rancid is Brooks's fury that it's clouded his judgment, so that each of his main characters is a stereotype of the most broad-brush, malodorous nature. Full Review

Mike Clark
December 17, 2004
Mike Clark, USA Today

A performer's showcase. While the pleasantly sentimental comedy doesn't bowl you over with cinematic technique, it's likely to make audiences happy. Full Review

Geoff Pevere
December 17, 2004
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

Feels like inadvertent misogynist psychodrama. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Evelyn: Lately, your low self-esteem is just good common sense.
    • John Clasky: They should name a gender after you. Looking at you doesn't do it. Staring is the only way that makes any sense. And trying not to blink, so you don't miss anything. And all of that, and you're YOU.
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Spanglish Trivia

  • what was Adam Sandler's profession in "Spanglish"?  Answer »
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  • In Spanglish, The actor that had an affair with Téa Lione, starred in which of these movies:  Answer »
  • In "Spanglish" (2004), who played as Adam Sandler (John Clasky)'s wife?  Answer »
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