FilmSnobReviews

Title: Flamin’ Hot
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Eva Longoria
Starring: Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert
Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins

What It Is: Richard Montañez (Garcia) was just a regular Mexican man living to make sure his family had a great life. Working to live. He did what he had to, sold drugs, stole, whatever it took. When he gets an opportunity to work at Frito-Lays as a janitor this is the break he’s looking for. As he looks for ideas to keep his factory opened he does something unprecedented…he calls a higher up with a drastic idea. A spicy seasoning that can go on any and all of Frito-Lays famous chips.

What We Think: As a biopic it suffers from knowing the real story and how it may very well not be true. As a film it is fine. Eva Longoria’s direction and decisions don’t pay off in the way she wants them to. Jesse Garcia definitely understood the assignment and he gives Richard his all. I thought Tony Shalhoub was a fantastic choice for the sincere but fair Roger Enrico. This film goes beyond the surface though. Where this film is important isn’t in the what of the onscreen but the who how and why. Eva Longoria being a solo Latina filmmaker and behind the camera here is pretty important. The story of this film, focused on a wholly Chicano story is one that needs more recognition. Why? Because these stories whether fabricated or not are important. There aren’t enough of them on the big screen. I’d like to see more.

Our Grade: B-, I think everyone should watch this, perhaps while munching on some of the now famous Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Even if that glorious flavor is too much for ya being able to see how this food oddity came to be is so cool. Seeing a female director, a latina one at that is even cooler. Check this one out! Just do it. It’s worth your time!