American Me

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American Me

R

1992

2h 5m

Crime

Drama

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

As a young man, Montoya Santana (Edward James Olmos) is introduced to gang life on the tough streets of Los Angeles after spending his youth in reform school. Soon Santana finds himself facing an 18-year prison sentence. In jail, he works his way to the top of the institution's violent drug trade, but, on his release from prison, he opts for a redemptive, family-centered lifestyle. However, his gangster friends (Pepe Serna, William Forsythe) try to force him back into illegal activities.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

01/01/2000

3.5/4

It knows these worlds. The language, the clothes, the attitudes, are all shown with the understated conviction of a director who is sure of his material.

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Rosa Parra

Latinx Lens

07/03/2021

8/10

Olmos's directorial debut provides a window to the experiences a gang member faces. Giving a rare complexity to its protagonist gives a layered in-depth look into why this vicious cycle continues & perhaps a possibility to break this wheel.

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Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

06/10/2021

2/5

At 125 minutes, American Me is long, and feels longer.

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Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

03/04/2019

Throughout, Olmos dominates the film with an impassive, yet inwardly tormented performance as he wears the implacable mask of power.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

02/12/2007

C+

The film's intent to serve as a cautionary tale is admirable, but Olmos acts better than he directs, and the film is shapeless and disjointed. .

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Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

02/07/2005

2/5

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Chris R

@Creeves Dec 1

Throughout, Olmos dominates the film with an impassive, yet inwardly tormented performance as he wears the implacable mask of power.

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Yossam I

@Yossam Jul 7

Throughout, Olmos dominates the film with an impassive, yet inwardly tormented performance as he wears the implacable mask of power.

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Adam Y

Jun 18

It knows these worlds. The language, the clothes, the attitudes, are all shown with the understated conviction of a director who is sure of his material.

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Camero W

11/22/2024

This movie was savage. I wasn’t ready !

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Rick N

10/26/2023

This movie made is one of my top 10 gangster movies…

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M R

06/26/2023

Pretty sad film from what I recall. It's solid though, with a pretty good message. The best cholo movie though is Blood In Blood Out. Grade: 83/100 B

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Edward James Olmos

Director

Edward James Olmos

Montoya Santana

William Forsythe

J.D.

Pepe Serna

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Synopsis

As a young man, Montoya Santana (Edward James Olmos) is introduced to gang life on the tough streets of Los Angeles after spending his youth in reform school. Soon Santana finds himself facing an 18-year prison sentence. In jail, he works his way to the top of the institution's violent drug trade, but, on his release from prison, he opts for a redemptive, family-centered lifestyle. However, his gangster friends (Pepe Serna, William Forsythe) try to force him back into illegal activities.

Director: Edward James Olmos
Producer: Robert M. Young, Sean Daniel
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 13, 1992, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.3M
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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