Spanglish

Spanglish (2004)
Adam Sandler, Tea Leoni, Paz Vega
James L. Brooks

Spanglish is about a Mexican mother and daughter who moved out of Mexico to start anew. They moved to L.A. and stayed in a Spanish-based community. Until the mother felt that she needed a new high-paying job that would her keep nights free to spend with her daughter. She worked as a housekeeper for the Clasky family, an American family. As much as she tried not to, she got involved with them and have their lives intertwined with them.

This movie is all about the script and acting. It has a tight story and a well-put characterization. Flor Moreno (Paz Vega) is a mother who wants to offer the best to her daughter. As a single mom, she also wants the love of a caring man beside her. John Clasky (Adam Sandler) is considered to be one of the best chefs in America. In his restaurant, he takes charge of a group of people but at home, he becomes silent to his feelings because his wife, Deborah (Tea Leoni), has taken all the drama at home when she lost her job. John yearns for his wife sincere attention and passion which she couldn't deliver because of her insecurities in life. She is so self-absorbed that she takes it out on the people around her. Deborah's mother, Evelyn (Cloris Leachman), is a woman who wants to feel needed and cared for. Bernice (Sarah Steele), the Clasky's daughter, wants to feel appreciated for what she does best and not what she isn't doing. And, Cristina (Shelbie Brice), Flor's daughter, is a kid who just wants more than their lives could offer.

What I loved best about this movie is how it showed that people in real life just don't act on their instincts especially if they have responsibilities to other people. It doesn't say that one deserves to screw someone up just because that someone screwed them up so badly. It is a movie about adults who act like real adults. Emotion play a great deal on one's life yet you know that it isn't the ultimate. You feel that Flor and John compliment each other well and they deserve one another yet you don't root for them. You know that them being together isn't the right thing. You feel so annoyed with Deborah yet you know that she deserves a second chance. This movie shows life that way it is without the sugar-out. It is not pretentious.

Spanglish is magnificent and a work of art! It has truly heartfelt emotions that transcend throughout the screen and onto the audience!