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Cesar Chavez

Play trailer Poster for Cesar Chavez PG-13 2014 1h 41m Biography History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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38% Tomatometer 71 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Famed labor organizer and civil-rights activist Cesar Chavez (Michael Peña) is torn between his duty to his family and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers.
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Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez

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Critics Consensus

Too in awe of its subject's great works to present him as a human being, Cesar Chávez settles for trite hagiography.

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Critics Reviews

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Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly 04/04/2014
B+
It should have been made 40 years ago, but this biopic about the Mexican-American leader who spearheaded the fight for farmworkers' rights couldn't be more timely. Go to Full Review
Bilge Ebiri New York Magazine/Vulture 03/28/2014
Cesar Chavez makes for a fine history lesson, but as drama, it leaves something to be desired. Go to Full Review
Lisa Kennedy Denver Post 03/28/2014
3/4
Michael Pea brings a centered, beckoning beauty to the title character that manages to speak to Chvez nonviolent approach without becoming hagiographic. Go to Full Review
Aaron Peterson The Hollywood Outsider 10/12/2018
5.5/10
Even in a film failing to reach the lofty achievements of its namesake, there is still much to learn and enjoy here. Go to Full Review
Megan Basham WORLD 04/10/2018
Though well-acted, Diego Luna's hagiographic film never manages to shine a meager beam. Go to Full Review
Kiko Martinez San Antonio Current 01/26/2018
C
Loses an opportunity to dig deeper inside the man and, instead, follows biopic convention. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Chase N Mar 31 Happy Cesar Chavez Day. Today a man was born who risked his life as well as the lives of his family, friends, and co-workers because he knew that it was worth it. The shameful fact is that many corporations don't give a s*** about workers. They see them as means to an end. The end being the most profit they can make. I'm different. I believe that every human that wakes up in the morning and goes to work represents a soul. That soul deserves dignity. That soul deserves respect. That soul deserves pay that is enough to allow them to thrive. Not just the pay bills, but to have hobbies, to take care of their friends and families, to donate to good causes, to add to their savings account. Cesar Chavez believed in these things. I believe in them too. This is a great movie. You should watch it. See more Esther R 09/24/2024 I loved it! I can totally relate to the ups and down of a family. Can't wait for 2nd season 🙌 See more Maddy P 06/08/2024 Great movie definitely a must see film. As always, Michael Peña nailed it. See more Ashley Eddington H 10/23/2022 I appreciated this forgotten or little know part of American history. I knew bits and pieces of the story but this sheds light on the harrowing journey that Cesar Chavez and his family were willing to take to give rights to poor immigrants who were suffering and pave the way for millions of future migrant workers to have better lives. The acting was superb. I am going to have my children watch this so they better appreciate the story behind who picks the produce that ends up on their plates. And so they can appreciate the power of organizing for a cause that is just. See more isla s 09/04/2022 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. See more 01/08/2020 incredibly difficult to follow and dreadfully slow at times not up to the quality it should be See more Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Famed labor organizer and civil-rights activist Cesar Chavez (Michael Peña) is torn between his duty to his family and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers.
Director
Diego Luna
Producer
Pablo Cruz, Diego Luna, Lawrence Meli, Keir Pearson
Screenwriter
Keir Pearson, Timothy J. Sexton
Distributor
Lionsgate Films
Production Co
Canana Films
Rating
PG-13 (Some Violence|Language)
Genre
Biography, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 28, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 12, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.6M
Runtime
1h 41m
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