Product Details

• Actors: Raymond Amezquita, Joe Aubel, Lance August, Javier Castellanos, Eric Close
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: July 19, 1995
• Run Time: 125 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630250354X
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,506 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #14 in	Video > Mystery & Suspense > Crime > Gangsters
  #21 in	Video > Drama > Murder & Mayhem
  #26 in	Video > Drama > By Genre > Mystery & Thriller

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Actor-turned-director Edward James Olmos set out to spread the word against the destructiveness of gang violence with this 1992 gritty drama. Set in the barrios of East Los Angeles, he attempts to cover 30 years in the life of a family with strong gang ties. This brutally realistic story may not intentionally glorify violence, but it offers no answers. (Olmos actually shot the prison scenes in Folsom, which explains their harsh reality.) Great performances though, especially by Olmos and William Forsythe. Olmos plays a gang leader released from prison who is finally in touch with himself, only to realize it is too late. The one major problem with this well-intentioned flick is that it is rated R for violence, nudity, and profanity. Therefore, the kids who most need its message are not, in theory, the ones who will see it. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to reality, April 26, 2003

By A Customer

This is some info for anyone who thinks this is just a movie. Welcome to the reality of L.A. gangs. This movie was not just a story made up in someone's head, it's the truth, that is why this movie is so explicit. Jail is never a place where anything is sugar coated and neither is this movie. A big thumbs up to Mister Olmos on the history of The Mexican Mafia. If you don't agree, do the research on the movie characters, it's an eye opener.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting - Factual - Honest, April 11, 2000

By A Customer

The powerful story line combined with the tremendous talent of Olmos & Forsythe brings to the screen the horrible facts of drugs, gangs and life doing HARD TIME. Olmos first directorship adds to this story the emotion he obviously feels and his concern to tell a story that needs to be told in its complete honesty. I know..I've been there & do not wish to go back.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An underrated masterpiece, July 7, 2005

By	Volunteer of America (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Me (DVD)

This poignant, exciting, realistic tale of human iniquity and eventual spiritual resurrection evokes, and is mostly equal to, "Once Upon A Time in America". Olmos' directing and acting are both brilliant; in a genre where there's a strong temptation for the actors to ham it up with gang signs and baggy pants, he has inspired real sincerity and genuine emotion. Never for a moment do any of the protagonists seem like they are trying to act cool; it's entirely convincing. The voiceovers - You Ride, Behind Pride, Thinking you can hide; the music - the killing of one of Santana's own accompanied by the desperate "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"; the wealth of expression on the actors' faces - as when Santana learns his mother has died; all add up to create an extraordinary atmosphere. Colors, light, shadows are all beautifully arranged; an especially effective scene being when La Eme and Nuestra Familia file into the prison's cinema, their light and dark blue shirts the only colors. Superb performances by JD, Mundo, Puppet, Little Puppet, Cary; sorry, I don't know all their real names, but they are to be congratulated. Make sure you wait for the closing credits to hear "Ain't No Sunshine".