American Me

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American Me

R

Released Mar 13, 1992

2h 5m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

90%

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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Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Rosa Parra

Latinx Lens

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.

Rated: 8/10

Jul 3, 2021

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Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

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

Rated: 2/5

Jun 10, 2021

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Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

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

Mar 4, 2019

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

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. .

Rated: C+

Feb 12, 2007

Full Review

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Yossam I

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

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

Adam Y

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/18/25

Full Review

Camero W

This movie was savage. I wasn’t ready !

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

Full Review

Rick N

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/26/23

Full Review

M R

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A story of grit, and survival of the fittest. After being locked up Montoya finds the necessity to band together as a race/pack in order to stand against other predators, those who do not obey or conform to the orders assigned to them may find themselves on the chopping block, no one is safe not even the founder(s)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

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Edward James Olmos

Director

Edward James Olmos

Montoya Santana

William Forsythe

J.D.

Pepe Serna

Mundo

Danny De La Paz

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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, Edward James Olmos, Sean Daniel
Screenwriter: Floyd Mutrux
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
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: Stereo, Surround

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