American Me

Plot synopsis:
The film depicts 30 years of Chicano gang life in Los Angeles. It focuses on Montoya Santana, a teen who, with his friends, J.D. (Steve Wilcox) and Mundo (Richard Coca), form their own gang. They soon find themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time and are arrested.
In juvenile hall, Santana murders a fellow inmate (Eric Close) who had raped him and as a result, has his sentence extended into Folsom State Prison after he turns 18. Once there, Santana (now played by Edward James Olmos) becomes the leader of a powerful gang, La Eme. Upon his release he tries to relate his life experiences to the society that has changed so much since he left. La Eme has become a feared criminal organization beyond Folsom, selling drugs and committing murder.
Santana starts to see the error of his ways but before he can take action, is sent back to prison for drug possession. There, he tells his former lieutenant, J.D. (William Forsythe) that he is no longer interested in leading La Eme. However, following a precedent set by Santana himself earlier in the film, his men murder him to show the other prison gangs that, despite having no leader, they are not weak.

Tags: revenge, murder, violence, flashback

Review:
First, this actor's capacity to convey a complicated range of emotions without words is absolutely staggering and has been seen to great effect in many great films including "Blade Runner." Additionally, he is inarguably the premiere Latino / Chicano filmmaker and actor of all time.
If you look at the films he has been involved with, think about how they have dominated the way Hispanic people, Mexicans in particular, have been seen by others who would, largely, not even know of the experiences of their neighbors.
A film that explores the criminal lifestyle in a remarkably brutal and cynical fashion, American Me is the stunningly assured directing debut of Edward James Olmos.
This is a stunning, disturbing, brutal tale of prison life within the California prison system, and the Mexican gangs.
This movie portrays very well how ugly, and destructive, this world and this life is.Well-acted by Edward James Olmos and William Forsythe.
Character portrayals are done very well, and you almost wish these guys would come to their senses and turn away from this life.
Well-done, thoughtful portrayal of both the tight brotherhood these guys were capable of sharing, contrasted with the utterly brutal and vicious methods used to keep order, and to settle scores.A movie which attempts to show us the varying forces and pressures, and the twisted logic, which make a situation like this possible..
American Me (1992) was the directing debut of long time character actor Edward James Olmos.
The movie follows the lives of three street gang members who by a sad twist of fate end up in Juvenille Hall.
Inside the walls of Folsom, the three form the most powerful gang inside the California Penal System.Olmos turns the story into a Shakespherian tragedy.
Olmos' direction, editing and use of lighting is that of a long time film-maker.
Great stuff from Mr. Olmos, a true masterpiece from a first time director.Sadly, Mr. Olmos has took a lot of flack for this film and has made some powerful people very angry.
American Me tells the story about the creation of one of the biggest hispanic gangs in California, the Mexican Mafia.
It tells the story from the viewpoint of Santana, the co-creator of the gang, from his parents violent youth all the way to the time he spends in prison.
Outstanding performances by James-Olmos and Forsythe really lend credit to the movie.
Edward James Olmos is not only brave for doing this movie with actual prisoners and gang members, but he was great at depicting what happens to people when they get involved in a gang and do not do what the gang leader says, because when they tell you to kill someone, that person is going to get killed.
Edward James Olmos both directs and stars in American Me with a mostly Latino cast which depicts a Chicano life influenced both by circumstances and bad choices.
Olmos plays a gang leader and we see his rise and fall in the criminal profession which starts with an arrest as a juvenile.It's a stoic and intense portrayal that Olmos gives to his own direction.
Olmos did his own research for the part, but more than that he lived it being born and growing up in the Mexican American area of East Los Angeles.In the story Olmos and his two running buddies, William Forsythe and Pepe Serna while in prison found a Mexican American gang, La Primavera and in prison they pretty much are the Latino inmate population.
American Me is a very good film, the personal project of a very talented man..
The film stuck in my mind since-there have not been many films like it to date.Edward James Olmos is magnificent as actor and director.
You may not have seen him in many films but he does have a quality about him that casts him perfectly in the principal role of gang leader / drug cartel.
If you like prison films this is one of the best.
William Forsythe is great as Edward James Olmos's buddy and as he-Forsythe-usually does when acting (doesn't try to overact or steal any scenes) he just does the business and blends in as his character engrossing you into the film giving it a more realistic depiction of the setting.Many prison films usually fit the same formula, showing you the in's and out's, morals and stereotypes usually associated with prison films.
American Me was the first film to paint an accurate picture of what it can like in America's prison system.
Olmos's tale of latino gang life in and outside of prison is right on the mark.
This is a good film to show to all those would be gangbangers out there that think prison is cool..
Edward James Olmos gives a great performance as Santana, and even a better job as a director.
A real life account of gangs and violence in the Latino communities and life in prison.
This almost qualifies as the "Goodfellas" of Mexican Mafia movies, although it lacks the humor and character development that make the violence wrought by Scorsese's goons somewhat palatable.Not for the weak of heart, this is one of the more daring works of early 90's American cinema.
Violent, ugly and (allegedly) based on true events, the film yanks you into a world that lifelong residents of Los Angeles (like me) have never seen.
The film starts with the L.A. zoot suit riots of the 1940's as a backdrop (Olmos portrayed "El Pachuco" in the stage and screen versions of "Zoot Suit"), and chronicles the rise and fall of Santana (Olmos) who, along with his boyhood "crime partners" (the always good William Forsythe and Pepe Serna), becomes the overlord of the Mexican prison mafia.From the get go, the viewer is yanked down to the violent streets of East Los Angeles, then it's on to Folsom State Prison for some of the most brutal prison sequences this side of "Runaway Train." This film has its critics - some lambaste the acting as second rate, and some view the dialog as corny (the poetic voice over by Olmos worked for me).
I regard this as a very important film that deserves to be seen, now more than ever.Not quite Scorsese, but light years better (and more socially relevant) than the "Penitentiary" movies.
When it started I had serious doubts about this one, but after 10-15 minutes it started to fascinate me.Fantastic play by Actor+Director Ed James Olmos, who is raped by a guy in prison and immediately kills him.
dark and brutal story of one mans rise and fall within the Mexican mafia.
Santana (Edward James Olmos)is sent to juve hall whilst his fellow survivior J.D (William Forsythe) has to settle for hospital food until he recovers from a shotgun wound.
Santana & J.D then reunited and so begins their storyof how they came to rule one of the most notorious prisons and its inhabitants for decades.Edward James Olmos' performance is breath-taking but William Forsythe d steals part his shine with an immense performance as J.D. J.D is a caucasian but strongly spoken hispanic.
The film is based on a true story and tracks some of the same ground covered by "Blood In, Blood Out" which was released a year later.
It works in flashback, from the later thoughts of director and star Edward James Olmos as Santana.
The film is told as a flashback as advice given to his nephew to avoid the gang life which he has embarked on.This is gut-check cinema.
The acting is excellent from Olmos as gang leader Santana and his right-hand man JD (William Forsythe).
One can see in Santana's face the toll that his time in prison and role in La Primera (the Mexican mafia) has taken.
William Forsythe is fantastic, playing JD very low-key and as committed to the Mexican mafia as Santana, so much so that perhaps he forgets he is not Mexican at times!
Nothing is held back in depicting what happens in jail but it has the ring of truth and ultimately, if one wrongs one's gang, one will be held accountable by that gang.This movie really deserves mention along with great gang movies like Goodfellas, The Godfather, and Boyz in the Hood, for its no-hold-barred depiction of the brutality and cheapness of life, but also the brotherhood and sense of identity gained within a gang..
"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.
It's one of the first mainstream movies that examine the life of Mexican Americans.
The Gang has the numbers, and they control life inside the prison, which in this case, art does truly imitate reality.
Once he is released from prison and returns to his old neighborhood, he discovers love, and he starts to view life in a different perspective.
In the end, Santana realises whats important in life.very good actors in the movie period.
The story in this movie is almost the same as in "Blood in blood out", but i think that this movie has a much more realistic sense.It is more comprehensive and also shows the horrible violence and the damages that the main character got during all the time in prison.
If you, like me, saw the epic 'Blood In, Blood Out' (released in the US as 'Bound By Honor') and loved it, be sure to see Edward James Olmos 'American Me'.
Queer Eye for the Prison Guy. American Me: 3/10: In all fairness I have to admit I was expecting more of a gang picture (albeit a serious one) with Mexican overtones rather than a straightforward prison drama.
Nobody in this film emotes and pass the K-Y jelly cause there is more guy on guy action in this movie than in the men's room at a Sex in the City wrap party.
Edward James Olmos is one man who should never even try.
A good first 45 minutes or so quickly melts into underacted pathos (Nobody emotes in this movie, cause they are all tough guys see.) and misguided plot twists (the whole taking on the mob bit was horribly done).
The movie just keeps getting worse and worse.Oh and Olmos's character writes poetry.
American Me is now a Chicano Classic about gangs and prison life.
Edward James Olmos plays the role of Santana, an inmate who becomes a leader in and out of prison.
With a great supporting cast and soundtrack, the film tells a dramatic story without getting too preachy.
One of Edward James Olmos best roles to this day..
:)A powerful and realistic look into the gang culture within the Mexican American population.
Montoya Santana (Edward James Olmos) is in prison as he recalls his life.
To each other maybe, to their enemies and every outsider, they hand out their prison justice mentality and enforce it with a brutality that most people tend to ignore until it's too late.I never thought that gangsta life would be so glorified and seen as honorable - but not endurable.
Good movie, shows Zoot Suit riots.
Starts with the Zoot Suit riots and takes you through a mans life in prison and back out onto the streets.
I read a lot of reviews on here and it seemed that people felt this was an accurate portrayal of prison life.
So if you are looking for an action filled drug movie I'd look elsewhere but if you are looking for a way to waste 2 hours of your day I'd recommend "American Me"..
Social history of the Mexican gang-banger set in East LA.What does "inspired by a true story" mean?
AMERICAN ME (1992) *** Edward James Olmos, William Forsythe.
Absorbing character study based on true life about a barrio viewpoint of street gangs with Olmos as a paroled con whose life of crime and prison meshes with the harsh realities of his world in torment.
For example, main character and j.d they are shown as life long friends, yet we never really see the side how they became or how their friendship developed.Now about blood in blood out, while it has very similar story, the interpersonal relationship between main  3 characters as well as montana and other gang members are lot more detailed.
This gives you a lot bigger insight on why the characters would do what they did(what drives them and such).Anyhow this movie gets 8/10 from me and if they had lot nicer personal development it would have easily been a 10.
It showed the real truth about prison and gang life.
And the huge banner 'Directed by EDWARD JAMES OLMOS' at the end made me want to laugh.
The movie American Me was to me violence Mexican Mafia style.
Great movie, because its a true story.
For those who don't understand gang activity may have a hard time understanding the movie, and may feel it might be corny though this stuff happens everyday and let me tell you it's not corny,it happens in our country everyday.
Watching this film will open up your eyes and understand how serious our gang issue is in our country.
With real gang members in the prison scenes it has the credentials.
Okay, basically a prison movie, and not the good kind.
Maybe it is necessary to organize into ethnic gangs for protection in prison, but it is not necessary to deal drugs, or rape, or murder.
Anyway this film descends into the genesis of the Mexican Mafia prison gang and it just gets more and more gruesome.
Edward James Olmos had one of his best roles in this encompassing the violent nature of a Mexican criminal.
While it did have its problems, Olmos' performance, as is in all of his movies, really captured the power of this film.
this movie is about the gang banging life..
Edward James Olmos directs, and stars as main character Santana Montoya.
Santana's parents are victims of a brutal and disturbing attack during Los Angeles's "Zoot Suit Riots" in the 1940s which sets the tone for Santana's power driven and violent life.
A childhood of gang activity in East Los Angeles eventually lands Santana in Folsom State Prison, where in the 1960s he starts La Eme, otherwise known as the Mexican Mafia.
What results is both riveting and sad, and, as intended by Edward James Olmos, leaves a message about Chicano gang life in Los Angeles.
It has a story, dialogue, and even great cinematography (which effectively captures downtown and East Los Angeles during three different eras in history) that help the film hold up twenty plus years after its release..
Over the past few years, anything that featured Edward James Olmos left be with a bit of mixed feelings about the individual.
Knowing that such a talented performer being held back by poor decisions, we surely won't find him being wasted by his own movie.Based on the life of Mexican mob kingpin Rodolfo Cadena (founder of La Eme), it shouldn't come as a surprise that there will some dramatization being that it's a biopic and not a documentary.
This movie follows his hard-fought life, this movie is as simple as it gets, the story of how La Eme started.
These events lead up to the gang going to jail and the formation of La Eme comes into fruition.The film stands out as a personal pet project for Olmos as he informs his audience about the dangers of joining a gang.
The film is generally one big flashback focusing on Santana's story from his childhood to his prison sentence and his narration is crisp and very well detailed."American Me" will not bite you to get attention, nor will it annoy you in any way.
There is also a good deal of attention played to the inability to escape gang life, the very limited options of the gang members, and their narrow worldview.While there are may things to like about this film there are a few obnoxious flaws.
Finally, there some odd editing decisions like cutting between the lovemaking of the main character and his girlfriend and a man being gang raped in prison, but otherwise the direction was stellar.My only real complaints about the film are the over use of the term "ese" which seems to be every other word and the score which is unfortunately stuck in the 1980's with cheesy softcore porn blues guitar.
Otherwise there is very little to complain about.There are few if any gangster movies that better serve to highlight the endless cycle of death, drugs and betrayal of gang life better than American Me..
Thank you, very much.Set in Los Angeles, American Me ambitiously attempts to cover 30 years in the life of a Chicano Gang Leader named Santana.
All of Santana's crimes were, in one way, or another, related to heavy-duty drug dealing and/or armed robbery.While serving time in prison Santana, a real shrewd and ruthless operator, quickly became the undisputed ringleader of what was known as the Mexican Mafia.
It didn't take long for Santana to be pounding the beat behind bars, again, serving, yet, another long term of sentence.Santana is eventually stabbed to death in prison, where his own men betray him and even take part in his murder.As movie-entertainment, American Me has a fierce, raw power, all of its own.
It forces and compels the viewer to watch all of the unpleasant, gut-wrenching horrors of prison-life, defying anyone to turn their eyes away from the atrocities on the screen.Released in 1992, American Me is an impressive directorial debut by Edward James Olmos, who also played the part of the hardened criminal, Santana..