Synopsis
A biography of the civil-rights activist and labor organizer Cesar Chavez. Chronicling the birth of a modern American labour movement, Cesar Chavez tells the story of the famed civil rights leader and labour organiser 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 working people.
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Cast
- Michael PeñaCesar E. Chavez
- Rosario DawsonDolores Huerta
- America FerreraHelen Chavez
- Jacob VargasRichard Chavez
- Gabriel MannBogdanovich Junior
- Lisa BrennerJackie Stringer
- John MalkovichBogdanovitch
- Kevin DunnDr. Arlo
- Mark MosesFred Ross
- Julian SandsVictore Representative
Recommendations
- 83
Entertainment Weekly
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. - 75
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
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. - 70
Arizona Republic
It never quite takes off in a stirring, inspirational way, but moves steadily forward in solid fashion. - 63
Slant Magazine
Not unlike Michael Peña's prior supporting roles, Chavez is marked by an explosive anger kept under a cherubic, sweet-natured mask, providing the surprise lacking in the story's text. - 58
The A.V. Club
What Cesar Chavez critically lacks is a unique, complicated, or personal perspective on its world-famous subject. As is often the problem with portraits of influential firebrands, the film never quite sees past the movement to the man leading it. - 50
Variety
Neither Pena nor the pic itself delivers the necessary dynamism, strained by a modest budget and too few extras to sufficiently re-create a movement that found strength in numbers. - 50
The Playlist
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. - 50
Austin Chronicle
Cesar Chavez, though respectful and illuminating, never rises to the inspirational level of its titular subject.
