American Me

1992
18
2h 5m

IMDb RATING

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William Forsythe, Edward James Olmos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in American Me (1992)

A Mexican-American Mafia kingpin is released from prison, falls in love for the first time, and grows introspective about his gangster lifestyle.A Mexican-American Mafia kingpin is released from prison, falls in love for the first time, and grows introspective about his gangster lifestyle.A Mexican-American Mafia kingpin is released from prison, falls in love for the first time, and grows introspective about his gangster lifestyle.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

11K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 2 nominations

Videos1

Trailer 1:48

American Me

Photos38

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Two of the most dangerous street gangs of East L.A., Il Grande Hazard and MC Forceros, called a truce to allow director Edward James Olmos to shoot the movie on their turfs.

Goofs
The lingo/street talk many of the gang members use didn't start to be used until the late '70s or early '80s.

Quotes
Montoya Santana: I hear Little Puppet's name is on a piece of paper, ese.
J.D.: I want you to cosign it.
Montoya Santana: I'm taking it off, ese.
J.D.: That punk got you kicked back in the hole, set us all back. Now he's running around talking loud shit about how he wants out of La Eme. His number's up, homes.
Montoya Santana: I said I'm taking it off, ese.
J.D.: What's gonna happen is gonna happen. Don't try to stop it. You understand me? I'm asking you, carnal.
Montoya Santana: Is that where it's gotten to, ese?
J.D.: Brothers are talking about you.
Montoya Santana: What are they saying, ese?
J.D.: They're saying that you're not showing them anything.
Montoya Santana: You know, a long time ago, two best homeboys, two kids, were thrown into juvie. They were scared, and they thought they had to do something to prove themselves. And they did what they had to do. They thought they were doing it to gain respect for their people, to show the world that no one could take their class from them. No one had to take it from us, ese. Whatever we had... we gave it away. Take care of yourself, carnal.

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: My Cousin Vinny/Article 99/American Me/The Lawnmower Man/Shakes the Clown/Daughters of the Dust (1992)

Soundtracks
El Gaban
Arrangement by Alfredo Lopez, Abel Rocha, Fernando Nataren
Performed by Quetzlcoatl

User reviews64

Review

Featured review

Edward James Olmos Triumphs Again

"American Me" stands on a course with "Stand And Deliver" among the finest performances by the ever talented Edward James Olmos. Other than starring in this film, Olmos also supplies the direction for this brutal and sometimes disturbing to watch prison and street drama. The story has to do with a well respected gang leader (Olmos) who is released from prison and tries to go straight but his many years of experience among leading street gangs comes back to haunt him. Olmos is highly effective in the role. The film may not be for all tastes but if you are a fan of Olmos or of the genre, it is highly recommended.