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Cesar Chavez

2014

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

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51

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Ratings

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5.5

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5.5	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Ratings

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Cesar Chavez

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Cesar Chavez

Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: March 28, 2014 | PG-13

Starring: America Ferrera, Gabriel Mann, John Malkovich, Michael Peña, Rosario Dawson

Summary: Chronicling the birth of a modern American movement, Cesar Chavez tells the story of the famed civil rights leader and labor organizer torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers. Passionate but soft-spoken, Chavez embraced non-violence as he battled greed and prejudice inChronicling the birth of a modern American movement, Cesar Chavez tells the story of the famed civil rights leader and labor organizer torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers. Passionate but soft-spoken, Chavez embraced non-violence as he battled greed and prejudice in his struggle to bring dignity to people. Chavez inspired millions of Americans from all walks of life who never worked on a farm to fight for social justice. His triumphant journey is a remarkable testament to the power of one individual’s ability to change the world.… Expand

Director: Diego Luna

Genre(s): Biography

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 102 min

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Metascore

Critic Reviews

83

Entertainment Weekly

Owen Gleiberman

Mar 26, 2014

In the title role, Michael Peña has a no-nonsense fire: He captures how Chavez borrowed from Martin Luther King Jr. but also fueled the struggle with his own improvisatory brilliance. Read full review

75

McClatchy-Tribune News Service Roger Moore

Mar 25, 2014

Like "42," Cesar Chavez lacks the budget to feel truly epic in scope. The violence is scattered, shocking and personal, the struggles within the union muted but the outrage — is palpable. Read full review

63

ReelViews

James Berardinelli

Mar 27, 2014

The performances are solid but I walked out of the theater thinking I might have been equally edified and entertained reading the man's Wikipedia entry. Read full review

50

The Playlist Jessica Kiang

Feb 13, 2014

It’s a competent, unobjectionable history lesson but Cesar Chavez’ legacy needs a more inspired and inspiring telling if it's to get the exposure this crusading figure deserves. Read full review

50

Washington Post

Stephanie Merry

Mar 27, 2014

It seems like a waste of talent, but worse still, Cesar Chavez squanders an opportunity to revisit a story worth retelling. Read full review

50

San Francisco Chronicle

Mick LaSalle

Mar 27, 2014

The film is always a little bit at a distance, almost involving, always good enough to make us root for it, but rarely better than average. Read full review

30

Village Voice

Inkoo Kang

Mar 25, 2014

The careless diminishment of every other character that isn't Chávez — including wife Helen, played by an utterly wasted America Ferrera in a grape-sized role — might be worth overlooking if the film provided any insights into its subject. Read full review

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User Reviews

8

Thegodfatherson

Mar 28, 2014

Diego Luna's take on the Cesar Chavez story offers a gripping look at the struggle of the National Farm Workers Association and the many obstacles that beset them. While the story isn't particularly hard-hitting when it comes to Chavez's personal relationships, star Michael Peña shines asDiego Luna's take on the Cesar Chavez story offers a gripping look at the struggle of the National Farm Workers Association and the many obstacles that beset them. While the story isn't particularly hard-hitting when it comes to Chavez's personal relationships, star Michael Peña shines as the leader of a modern American movement, with the film being presented in an accessible and honest manner.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

6

DawdlingPoet

Nov 27, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is an interesting story - one I wasn't familiar with and so I enjoyed it from a historical perspective, although it is understandably frustrating, not least because of the hatred and discrimination there still is for non-whites in the US (and elsewhere). The cast do a good job - its an ok watch. I liked that Cesar was clearly against using violence, it shows who the real criminals are, in my view. It seemed to me a bit of a TV film sort of a film - not a big, hyped up Hollywood kind of a film but certainly not a bad film either. The script isn't bad and it makes for a thoughtful watch, even though it is perhaps a little bland. I would recommend this film overall, yes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

6

TVJerry

Apr 2, 2014

If you're too young to remember the '60s grape boycott, this biopic will put it in perspective. Chavez is the labor organizer who led California farm workers in their 5-year fight for fair conditions and a living wage. The fact that he was a mild-mannered advocate doesn't help this film,If you're too young to remember the '60s grape boycott, this biopic will put it in perspective. Chavez is the labor organizer who led California farm workers in their 5-year fight for fair conditions and a living wage. The fact that he was a mild-mannered advocate doesn't help this film, because it's lacking in the fervor that would have made it rousing or at least moving. The conditions are never fully explored and even the villains aren't particularly fleshed out. Michael Peña is fine in the lead, but director Diego Luna never elevates this potentially powerful story above a competent history lesson.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

2

Will_R

Mar 29, 2014

Director Diego Luna took the under-told, inspiring, and compelling story of one of America's most important labor leaders and created a dull, cliche, and poorly crafted film. Simply put, Cesar Chavez deserves better than this. It's saddens me to think this will be the image that many peopleDirector Diego Luna took the under-told, inspiring, and compelling story of one of America's most important labor leaders and created a dull, cliche, and poorly crafted film. Simply put, Cesar Chavez deserves better than this. It's saddens me to think this will be the image that many people first see of him.

Don't waste your money.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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