older Cristina tells the Princeton committee that while she would be thrilled by their acceptance, she would not let it define her, as she is already her mother's daughter. Cast Adam Sandler as John Clasky Paz Vega as Flor Moreno Téa Leoni as Deborah Clasky Cloris Leachman as Evelyn Wright Aimee Garcia as the narrator (Adult Cristina Moreno) Shelbie Bruce as 12-year-old Cristina Victoria Luna as 6-year-old Cristina Sarah Steele as Bernice "Bernie" Clasky Ian Hyland as George "Georgie" Clasky Jake Pennington as Young George Cecilia Suárez as Monica Thomas Haden Church as Mike the Realtor Antonio Muñoz as Mexican at Family Dinner Spencer Locke as Sleepover Friend Sarah Hyland as Sleepover Friend Production Brooks cast Sandler after seeing his more dramatic performance in Punch-Drunk Love. Vega could not speak English when filming began and a translator was on set during filming so that she could communicate with the director. Leachman replaced Anne Bancroft, who dropped out of the part after four weeks of shooting because of illness. Reception Critical response On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 54% based on reviews from 168 of critics, with an average rating of 6/10. The critical consensus reads, "Paz Vega shines, and Adam Sandler gives a performance of thoughtfulness and depth, but Spanglish is ultimately undermined by sitcommy plotting and unearned uplift." On Metacritic it has a score of 48% based on reviews from 36 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a grade "B+" on scale of A to F. Its proponents claim it is a moving portrayal of the difficulty of family problems and self-identity (and perhaps to a lesser extent the difficulties and rewards of cross-cultural communication). Advocates of the film found the intense sexual chemistry between Leoni and Sandler particularly compelling. Some critics described the film as "uneven", "awkward," for example, when "John and Flor attempt to bare their souls to one another... [with] lots of words coming out of their mouths, but there doesn't seem to be a context", and "The supporting performers deserve better, especially ... Cloris Leachman, who's consigned to a demeaning role...[and] the butt of rather mean-spirited jokes." Accolades See also Spanglish References External links 2004 films 2000s Spanish-language films 2004 romantic comedy-drama films American romantic comedy-drama films Films scored by Hans Zimmer Films about language Films directed by James L. Brooks Films produced by