Love blossoms in the most unexpected of places in this sparkling, sexy romantic comedy about freedom, friendship and the true meaning of family. Starring Marisa Tomei, Alfred Molina, Chazz Palminteriand Anjelica Huston, Th... more »e Perez Family is a buoyant, colorful [and] optimistic celebration of the immigrant experience (The Washington Post) in America in the early 1980s. Free-spirited Dottie Perez (Tomei) is leaving Cuba for America, her head filled with dreams of movies, mascara and dates with John Wayne. Straight-laced Juan Perez (Molina) is headed for a reunion with the wife (Huston) and daughter (Trini Alvarado) he hasn't seen in 20 years. But when an overworked immigration official mistakes Dottie and Juan for husband and wife, the stage is set for a marital mix-up and some very unpredictable romances!« less
Lots of stars in this but it could have been better.
Movie Reviews
Moving, excelent for people that understands the topic
RoseMarie Prater-Godbole | US | 05/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thisis a wonderful funny love story about cuban refugees, however, since the players are american actors, we have to take our hats off to them. Marisa Tomei is funny, touching, and very much a "cuban" in this movie, she must to really done her homework, Alfred Molina, as usual, the greatest actor without recognition, how can this handsome man, and excelent actor not be mentioned more and more and only do secondary roles? Anjelica Houston shows another side of her in this funny acting also, a very attractive Anjelica Houston and so is Chaz Molinari in this short but very good "hombre enamorado" (man in love) role. The acting was very very good of everybody involved, Marisa I repeat, magnificent, Molina his usual same, excelent, I really recommend this movie for romantic people! I would give 100 stars to this movie."
A sexy, energetic, lighthearted, romantic comedy. Loved it!
HELEN MCKENZIE | NJ, United States | 11/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dottie Perez (Marisa Tomei) shines in this highly entertaining film. Both Juan Perez (Alfred Molina) and Dottie (strangers to one another) leave Cuba in a boatlift to come to the USA. Though they have separate agendas, they both become entangled in a creative plot that would convince immigration to boost their names to the top of the list for families to be sponsored. In the meantime, Juan searches for his wife and child who he hasn't seen for 20 years. Dottie, on the other hand, floats around with naivety about life in the Americas. Unaware that her beloved movie star is dead, she lights up with the anticipation of finally seeing John Wayne after she spots a sign for Hollywood some miles away. I was almost rolling on the floor when both Dottie and Juan realized the status of Elvis Presley and John Wayne.I like that the film catches sincere moments; for instance, we see Tomei heating up the screen in her sexy dresses and unshaved underarm, and Juan even expresses that he's been in prison so long, his teeth are no good to kiss his beloved wife. All the characters add warmth and humor to this highly charged movie. Definitely a keeper. Don't miss it!"
An Excellent Movie By Mira Nair!
BookMania | Stafford, TX, USA | 01/10/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's a shame this movie never did very well at the box office, because it's a movie with great performances by Marisa Tomei and Alfred Molina. It's also directed by one of the least recognized and gifted directors of our time, Mira Nair. Nair is best known for movies dealing with Indian culture like "Mississippi Masala" and last year's "Monsoon Wedding," but here she strays from her normal interests and makes a movie about Cubans who come to the United States seeking political asylum. Specifically, the movie centers around Dottie Perez (Tomei) and Juan Raul Perez (Molina), who are of no relation to each other except for the fact that they come to the United States with a heart full of dreams which are quickly shattered. Dottie is smitten by John Wayne and comes with the hopes of someday sleeping with him. Juan was incarcerated in a Cuban prison for 20 years and comes hoping to find the wife and daughter he has not seen in that time. They both come to Miami on the same boat, and circumstances force them to act as if they were a "family". This arrangement soon becomes more than just a strategic plan, as they quickly develop romantic feelings for each other.The acting in this movie is surprisingly good. I had gotten so used to seeing Marisa Tomei doing her New York accent in "My Cousin Vinny" that I didn't think she'd be able to be convincing as a Cuban refugee. I was pleasantly surprised. Alfred Molina was also very good, and so was Anjelica Huston who played his estranged wife. I also thought the movie had a great musical score.I would have given this movie five stars if it wasn't for the fact that I wasn't really satisfied with the way the movie ended. Though I won't give away the ending, I'll say that it was entirely too simplistic. Though, that's just a minor flaw. This movie is definitely worth watching."
One of the most enjoyable movies I have seen!
HELEN MCKENZIE | 05/04/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Marisa Tomei does a fantastic job on this one. This is a must see. I was surprised to note that this was another Mira Nair (of Monsoon Wedding fame) film. She weaves a sensitive and delicate plot with fire and passion and humor."
A movie that delivered a load of wit and laughter
Ikey Benney | New York City, USA | 12/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is my second all time Marisa Tomei movie. Angelica Huston delivered a spectacular performance. Chazz Palmintien performance as a cop was superb. You could learn how to seduce a woman from him, the way he seduced Ms. Huston. Alfred Molina shined as a Cuban fleeing from Castro to start a new life in America. Marisa was sexy, alluring, seductive, attractive and very friendly like the goddess of love. You'll find it hard not to fall instantly in love with her. This movie will keep you at the edge of your seat and make you laugh and eat many bags of popcorn. I highly recommend it to all readers and shoppers.