Cane

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Sultry, mature nighttime soap has a Latin flair.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this soapy drama has mature themes (adult sibling rivalry, corporate power struggles, underhanded/illegal tactics, etc.), strong sexual innuendo, steamy bedroom scenes (though no real nudity), and violent confrontations. The central characters -- powerful, wealthy Cuban-Americans with traditional values -- run a rum business and will do anything to protect it, as well as the "family honor."

  • The Duques (and the Vegas) are a strong extended Cuban-American family with traditional Latino family values (the show's other central family, the Samuels, is Caucasian). The strife between the two leads to illicit and sometimes illegal behavior. Features traditional Cuban food, music, and discussions about Cuban history and culture. There are frequent conflicts between the older, more traditional generation and the younger, more Americanized generation.
  • Occasional fistfights. Guns are visible, and there's some shooting visible. References to Cuban gangs. Storylines include the kidnapping of a child and ordering "hits" on people. Alex is haunted by some violent moments in his past.
  • Strong sexual innuendo, plus simulated sex acts that include suggestions of nudity (though no sensitive body parts are shown). Some sensual dancing featured during nightclub scenes.
  • Occasional use of words like "damn" and "hell," as well as frequent use of Spanish and traditional Cuban vernacular.
  • The series centers on a fictitious brand of rum (Duque); other rum companies, including Bacardi, are mentioned by name, but no labels are shown. Lots of visible material wealth.
  • Frequent consumption of beer, wine, bourbon, and mixed drinks. Some cigar smoking.

What's the story?

CANE is a dramatic primetime soap opera that tells the story of feuding families, internal power struggles, and steamy romance with a traditional Latin flair. Jimmy Smits stars as Alex Vega, the foster son of the Duques, a large, close-knit Cuban-American family in the rum and sugar business. Alex helps his foster father, Pancho (Hector Elizondo), run the company along with brothers Francisco (Nestor Carbonell) and Enrique (Eddie Matos). Alex's wife, Isabel (Paola Turbay), is Pancho's daughter. Holding the family together is the Duque matriarch Amalia (Rita Moreno). The series presents the ongoing strife between the Vega-Duques and the Samuels clan, who run a Florida sugar cane company. Patriarch Joe Samuels (Ken Howard) heads the business with his son, Lamont (Lee Tergesen), and his seductive daughter, Ellis (Polly Walker).


Is it any good?

 

Cane is full of mystery and passion and provides all of the other guilty pleasures you'd expect from an adult soap opera. But what separates it from other dramas of its kind is its celebration of America's Cuban heritage. Some of the show's storylines are connected to major historic events that define Cuban-Americans today, including little-known facts about the early years of the first post-revolution refugees. The series also serves as a vehicle for several generations of talented Latino actors (though not all Cuban), who add to the show's authenticity.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about what makes a TV show a "soap opera." Do you consider this series a soap? Why or why not? What do most shows that fall into the soap category have in common? How is this one similar or different? Families can also talk about the characters' culture and values. Do they provide positive Latino role models?


This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Teen, 16 years old
December 29, 2008
 
I miss cane.
I started watching this show with my family and fell in love with it. I think it really sucks they took it off air.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
CANE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXCITING SERIES. But instead it is pondering, dull, unimaginative show. The writing is slow and pondrerous and in an episode in the future, even steals from THE GODFATHER: "...in my house where my family lives!" (OK they switched a few words, but still...) The actors are all quite capable and talented (see their credits), but they are not given the chance to show their talents under the unispired direction and writing. Set in sunny South Florida, it looks like it was filmed in a warehouse. The sets seem under dressed and lack the character and history of the family. CANE has the look and feel of a daytime soap. The father's house is dark and dreary with sheers over the windows making it even darker. The camerawork is equally dull and the quality of the light in Southern Florida is missing. Of course this had to be shot mostly in Los Angeles, since there are no mountains in Florida (such as those shown behind the sugar cane warehouse/distillery.) Shot and editied for the "small"screen, it is a throw back to when 32" TVs were considered big. Close tight shots are the norm, as if the producers are worried the audience will forget who ithe character is. It's to bad. This is a show, that on paper, seemed full of promise. Unfortunatly it doesn't deliver.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
This is the best show ever
I love this show. I hope they keep it around for more seasons. I didn't think I was going to watch it, so I tivo'ed it. OMG it was so hot..

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
More Crap
Doesn't matter who's acting in this garbage...I'm convinced: there's not an original thought left in anyone's head in Hollywood. More mindless crap - and again - not to disrespect the actors, there's not a lot there to work with. Given the production pricetag...you're losing already. So cancel this crap...go back to the drawing board...and put something on the air that people wanna watch!! I'll stop berating you now, (as I'm sure you really tried hard!!) and let you be on your way to your next experiment.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Missing it
Any more CANE? I looked forwarded coming home and watching Jimmy Smit and the cast. Especially Rita! CBS lets go and air some more espisodes! Thanks!

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 

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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-14
Network:CBS
Cast:Jimmy Smits, Nestor Carbonell, Polly Walker
Genre:Drama

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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