Zoot Suit

R

Released Jan 1, 1982

1h 44m

Musical

List

55%

11 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Mexican-American gangster Henry Reyna (Daniel Valdez) and others in his group are accused of a murder in which they had no part. They are then rounded up by the police because of their race and their choice of clothing. The gang members are thrown into prison and put through a racist trial. As Henry considers his fate, he has a conversation with El Pachuco (Edward James Olmos), a figure from his own conscience who makes him contemplate a choice between his heritage and his home country.

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Alec B

I understand the complaints with the very deliberate theatricality but I also feel compelled to defend it, especially since Olmos' remarkable performance is so perfectly fits that style.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/19/24

Full Review

jon c

Shows how the justice system for the Mexican-American community can be changed Mexican-American gangster Henry Reyna (Daniel Valdez) and others in his group are accused of a murder in which they had no part They are then rounded up by the police because of their race and their choice of clothing The gang members are thrown into prison and put through a racist trial As Henry considers his fate, he has a conversation with El Pachuco (Edward James Olmos), a figure from his own conscience who makes him contemplate a choice between his heritage and his home country Considering the time period a majority of whites just want to see two Mexicans kill each other cementing their image perceived by many Yet the community is more than just what they're known for, dressed for, their music, and their skin color If you're not into musicals then this isn't for you The whole thing is a nicely-staged one stage performance Good music, cultural aesthetics, and nice performers This highlights the Sleepy Lagoon trial as a result of the Zoot Suit Riots in the 1940s Very much an important Mexican-American part of U.S history told through the Chicano lens via a musical theatrical form

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

steve d

It translates terribly.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

For all of its unique qualities, Olmos gives one of his worst performances ever, stiffly speaking the empty dialogue. Over-done, over-dressed.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Hadn't seen this since back in the day. NetFlix finally got it and sent it too me. I was afraid I wouldn't love as much as I used to, but I do. If you want to be as cool as me; you'll check it out. Otherwise, forget. PS This is one of the very, very few musicals I even like, let alone love. PPS And, in spite of not knowing what a zoot suit is, even Motoko gave it a 4.5 stars. PPPS A couple of my homies, back in Converse, Indiana, circa 1952 tried to have our own zoot suits tailored.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A memorable hero, an intriguing god-like character depicted by Edward James Olmos, and a great soundtrack, all come together to remind us the possition of mexican-americans in the U.S. society of the 1940´s.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

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Luis Valdez

Director

Daniel Valdez

Henry Reyna

Edward James Olmos

El Pachuco

Tyne Daly

Alice Bloomfield

Charles Aidman

George Shearer

John Anderson

Judge F.W. Charles

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

[Zoot Suit] is a holy mess of a movie, full of earnest, serious intentions and virtually no achievements.

Feb 10, 2005

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

The staging is busy and clever, though it doesn't translate that well to film, given Valdez's tendency to cut the legs off his dancers.

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

... this highly stylized theatrical-cinematic hybrid had me frustrated from the get-go. I'm all for audacity and ambition, but what I saw in this film was messy and hodgepodge.

Rated: C-

Mar 23, 2022

Full Review

Rosa Parra

Latinx Lens

A must-watch film highlighting the Sleepy Lagoon trial as a result of the Zoot Suit Riots in the 1940s. An important Mexican American part of U.S history told through the Chicano lens via a musical theatrical format.

Rated: 7/10

Jul 3, 2021

Full Review

Antonio Albert

El Pais (Spain)

Interesting. [Full Review in Spanish]

May 1, 2019

Full Review

Fotogramas Staff

Fotogramas

A curious film with a hint of authenticity. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

May 1, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Mexican-American gangster Henry Reyna (Daniel Valdez) and others in his group are accused of a murder in which they had no part. They are then rounded up by the police because of their race and their choice of clothing. The gang members are thrown into prison and put through a racist trial. As Henry considers his fate, he has a conversation with El Pachuco (Edward James Olmos), a figure from his own conscience who makes him contemplate a choice between his heritage and his home country.

Director: Luis Valdez
Producer: Gordon Davidson
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int
Rating: R
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 44m

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