Parents' Guide to

Cane

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Sultry, mature nighttime soap has a Latin flair.

TV CBS Drama 2007
Cane Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 2+

Based on 1 parent review

Jared Galczynski
Jared Galczynski Adult
May 9, 2014
age 2+

Amalia

Amalia. I love that name Amalia. There is a Character in this show named Amalia.
See all 1 parent review

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?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

TV Details

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