The Perez Family
| The Perez Family | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mira Nair |
| Screenplay by | Robin Swicord |
| Based on | The Perez Family 1990 novel by Christine Bell |
| Produced by | Julia Chasman Robin Swicord |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Stuart Dryburgh |
| Edited by | Robert Estrin Greg Finton |
| Music by | Alan Silvestri |
| Distributed by | The Samuel Goldwyn Company |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 114 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $11,000,000 (estimated) |
| Box office | $2,832,826 |
The Perez Family is an American comedy film released in 1995 about a group of Cuban refugees in America who pretend to be a family. It stars Marisa Tomei, Alfred Molina, Anjelica Huston, Chazz Palminteri, and other well-known actors. It was based on the 1990 novel The Perez Family by Christine Bell. The film was directed by Mira Nair.
The film is centered around a group of unrelated people who share the last name "Pérez" and who realize they could more easily stay in America if they pretend to be a family. Set in 1980 during the Mariel boatlift, the movie shows Juan Raúl Pérez (Alfred Molina), a former aristocrat and newly released political prisoner, seeking to return to his wife, now in America, after 20 years. Dottie Pérez (Marisa Tomei) is a former prostitute, who Juan meets. U.S. Immigration officials assume the two are married, because of the common last name. The potential for a real romantic relationship between the couple sets the basis for much of the rest of the film.
Cast
[edit]- Marisa Tomei as Dorita Evita Pérez
- Alfred Molina as Juan Raúl Pérez
- Anjelica Huston as Carmela Pérez
- Chazz Palminteri as Lieutenant John Pirelli
- Trini Alvarado as Teresa Pérez
- Celia Cruz as Luz Pat
- Ranjit Chowdhry as Indian Immigration Official
- Diego Wallraff as Ángel Díaz
- Ellen Cleghorne as Officer Rhoades
- Angela Lanza as Flavia
- Jose Felipe Padron as Felipe Pérez
- Lázaro Pérez as Armando "Papi" Pérez
- Bill Sage as Steve Steverino
- Vincent Gallo as Orlando
- Billy Hopkins as Father Aiden
- Ruben Rabasa as Father Martínez
- Melissa Anne Acosta as Isabel
Archival footage of Jimmy Carter and Fidel Castro also appeared in the film.
Reception
[edit]The Perez Family holds a score of 60% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 6.0/10, based on 20 reviews.[1]
Soundtrack
[edit]The soundtrack composed by Alan Silvestri was released by Music Box Records, paired with his score for Clean Slate.
References
[edit]- ↑ "The Perez Family". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
External links
[edit]- 1995 films
- 1995 comedy films
- American comedy films
- Films about immigration to the United States
- Films based on American novels
- Films directed by Mira Nair
- Films produced by Michael Nozik
- Films scored by Alan Silvestri
- Films set in 1980
- Films set in Coral Gables, Florida
- Films set in Miami
- Films with screenplays by Robin Swicord
- The Samuel Goldwyn Company films
- 1995 English-language films
- 1995 American films
- English-language comedy films
