The Perez Family

REVIEW
This sensual and hypnotic comedy of errors and culture clash is set during the 1980 Mariel boat-lift (during which thousands of Cuban political prisoners were released and placed in American holding centers to await citizenship). Tomei stars as Dorita Perez, a sultry Cuban floosy who tries to scam her way out of the American internment camp by claiming to be the wife of Juan Raul Perez (Molina), a once dapper, now bedraggled wreck who wants nothing more than to be reunited with his wife of 20 years, Carmela (Huston), who doesn't even know he's been released. An intoxicating blend of humor, irony and romance enhanced by gorgeous cinematography but marred only by the distracting but effective use of non-Hispanic actors in the lead roles.