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Parents' Guide to

My Family (Mi Familia)

By Teresa Talerico, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Epic, dramatic tale of a Mexican-American family.

Movie R 1997 126 minutes
My Family (Mi Familia) Poster Image

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What's the Story?

The sweeping saga MY FAMILY follows a Mexican-American family through three generations, beginning in the 1930s. José Sanchez (Jacob Vargas) arrives in California from Mexico and lands a job as a gardener to wealthy families. He meets and marries Maria (Jennifer Lopez), and they have six children. They are separated early in the movie when a pregnant Maria is unjustly deported, and her perilous journey home with an infant son sets up a haunting, mystical thread that runs throughout the movie. Paco (Edward James Olmos), the eldest son (and the film's narrator), is an aspiring writer. Irene marries and opens a restaurant with her husband. Toni (Constance Marie) becomes a nun, but later shocks her parents when she finds her true calling in life. Guillermo, or "Memo," becomes a lawyer. Two sons emerge as more flagrant rebels. In the 1958 segment, Chucho (Esai Morales) sells drugs and periodically fights with a rival gang leader. Jimmy (Jimmy Smits) is the youngest of the family and the heart of the film. As an adult in 1978, he's an ex-con who follows in Chucho's footsteps and harbors a deep hurt over a tragedy he witnessed as a boy. His world changes when he marries Isabel, a maid in danger of being deported back to El Salvador.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

This excellent movie explores the dynamics of Mexican-American families and culture in a way that's not often presented in mainstream cinema. It welcomes viewers inside this tight-knit clan with a mixture of drama and humor, tragedy and romance, and also examines issues familiar to immigrants and their families. (One recurring theme explores how José and Maria's first-generation children respond to the traditions, cultural values, and ideals of their parents.) Ultimately, however, it transcends its ethnicity and is simply a story about family.

Occasionally weighed down with melodrama, My Family (Mi Familia) is nonetheless moving and well-executed, with an epic, almost Godfatheresque feel. (Francis Ford Coppola had a hand in its production, and that influence shows, particularly in a wedding scene.) The eclectic soundtrack, which includes Mexican folk music, Los Lobos, and Pedro Infante, captures the film's spirit, and two key scenes use dancing to great effect: Chucho teaches a group of kids to mambo in a lively moment, and Isabel shows Jimmy how to dance in a scene that's unforgettable for its chemistry, its sheer joy, and the way Smits' character thaws before our eyes.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about where their own ancestors are from and how long the family has been here.

  • How does the family in My Family (Mi Familia) resemble your own?

  • Does the film devote too much time to the characters of Chucho and Jimmy, perhaps perpetuating certain stereotypes?

Movie Details

  • In theaters: May 3, 1997
  • On DVD or streaming: April 6, 2004
  • Cast: Jennifer Lopez , Jimmy Smits , Lupe Ontiveros
  • Director: Gregory Nava
  • Inclusion Information: Female actors, Latino actors
  • Studio: New Line
  • Genre: Drama
  • Run time: 126 minutes
  • MPAA rating: R
  • MPAA explanation: strong language, some graphic violence and a scene of sexuality.
  • Last updated: December 2, 2022

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