A sweet-natured coming-of-age/raising-of-consciousness drama, based on the semi-autobiographical play by Josefina Lopez and driven by two powerhouse performances. As old-fashioned Dona Carmen, matriarch of a traditional Mexican-American family, and her rebellious daughter, Ana, veteran actress Lupe Ontiveros (for whom the stage role was written) and newcomer America Ferrera are perfectly matched and equally iron willed. Determined, resourceful, 18-year-old Ana is building herself a road out of the barrio, brick by brick. She earned high grades in grammar school and was accepted at prestigious Beverly Hills high school, two buses away from her neighborhood; she got a ...
Released:
2002
Rated:
NR
Length:
85 mins