Flamin' Hot (2023)
8.112 /10
490 Reviews
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The inspiring true story of Richard Montañez, the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn the iconic Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a snack that disrupted the food industry and became a global pop culture phenomenon.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Richard Montañez
... Judy Montañez
... Vacho Montañez
... Concha Montañez
... Clarence C. Baker
User reviews
Eva Longoria makes her feature film directorial debut in “Flamin’ Hot,” a breezy biopic about Richard Montanez, the man who invented the super spicy (and well known) flavor of Cheetos. This underdog story of a hardworking Mexican immigrant who found success despite all of the boxes society tried to put him in is one that’s inspiring, satisfying, and universal.
As a teenager, Montanez (Jesse Garcia) was in and out of trouble. As he puts it, “when society treats you like a criminal, you become one.” He was on the fast track to a permanent life of crime until his wife Judy (Annie Gonzalez) became pregnant with their first son. Searching for a better life for his new family, Richard relied on his street smarts and entrepreneurial attitude to go out and make his own success story. A go-getter from the start, he ended up working at Frito Lay and, after “thinking like a CEO,” came up with the idea to create a flavor that would appeal to the large Hispanic market and save the snack food industry.
It’s a terrific story that captures the Mexican-American experience that’s not often seen in mainstream films. Linda Yvette Chávez’s script feels deeply personal, and she takes Richard’s inspiring, complex story and gives us an intimate picture of the man behind the Cheetos. The result is a very human film about discrimination, determination, and the ability to get a leg up on life by pulling yourself out of a bad situation.
The story (which is actually controversial because there is a debate as to who really invented the snack flavor) is full of humor and heart. It’s a love story between Richard and Judy, his supporting, loving wife. She isn’t just a background character waiting in the shadows, but is presented as a very strong, tenacious woman who dominates every seen she’s in.
As is the case with most biopics, there’s obvious embellishment and exaggeration, and there’s no shortage of emotional fluffery that is designed to tug on your heartstrings. There’s plenty of discussion about having faith and living the American dream, which does feel as corny as it sounds.
There’s a lot of talk about representation in front of the camera, but it’s important behind the camera, too. Longoria put her money where her mouth is and hired a diverse crew for her film because who tells these stories also matters. The final product is something that radiates an authentic tone and feeling that is rare, especially for a biopic.
Longoria’s directorial style is polished and well-matched to the script, with a clear vision and voice. The cast is just as easy to love. Charismatic and sympathetic, I was rooting for Richard and Judy the minute they were introduced onscreen. Casting is so important in a film like this, and it couldn’t be more perfect.
Despite a predictable outcome and a few obvious exaggerations of the truth, “Flamin’ Hot” is an irresistible underdog story about a disruptor who shook up the snack food industry. It’s a funny, sweet, and delightful film that’s as crowd-pleasing as it gets.
By: Louisa Moore
Director:
Writer:
Lewis Colick (Screenplay)
Linda Yvette Chavez (Screenplay)
Richard Montañez (Book)
Judy Montañez (Book)
Release Date:
2023-03-11
Run Time:
99 min
MMPA Rating:
PG-13
Reviews of
Flamin' Hot
Eva Longoria makes her feature film directorial debut in “Flamin’ Hot,” a breezy biopic about Richard Montanez, the man who invented the super spicy (and well known) flavor of Cheetos. This underdog story of a hardworking Mexican immigrant who found success despite all of the boxes society tried to put him in is one that’s inspiring, satisfying, and universal.
As a teenager, Montanez (Jesse Garcia) was in and out of trouble. As he puts it, “when society treats you like a criminal, you become one.” He was on the fast track to a permanent life of crime until his wife Judy (Annie Gonzalez) became pregnant with their first son. Searching for a better life for his new family, Richard relied on his street smarts and entrepreneurial attitude to go out and make his own success story. A go-getter from the start, he ended up working at Frito Lay and, after “thinking like a CEO,” came up with the idea to create a flavor that would appeal to the large Hispanic market and save the snack food industry.
It’s a terrific story that captures the Mexican-American experience that’s not often seen in mainstream films. Linda Yvette Chávez’s script feels deeply personal, and she takes Richard’s inspiring, complex story and gives us an intimate picture of the man behind the Cheetos. The result is a very human film about discrimination, determination, and the ability to get a leg up on life by pulling yourself out of a bad situation.
The story (which is actually controversial because there is a debate as to who really invented the snack flavor) is full of humor and heart. It’s a love story between Richard and Judy, his supporting, loving wife. She isn’t just a background character waiting in the shadows, but is presented as a very strong, tenacious woman who dominates every seen she’s in.
As is the case with most biopics, there’s obvious embellishment and exaggeration, and there’s no shortage of emotional fluffery that is designed to tug on your heartstrings. There’s plenty of discussion about having faith and living the American dream, which does feel as corny as it sounds.
There’s a lot of talk about representation in front of the camera, but it’s important behind the camera, too. Longoria put her money where her mouth is and hired a diverse crew for her film because who tells these stories also matters. The final product is something that radiates an authentic tone and feeling that is rare, especially for a biopic.
Longoria’s directorial style is polished and well-matched to the script, with a clear vision and voice. The cast is just as easy to love. Charismatic and sympathetic, I was rooting for Richard and Judy the minute they were introduced onscreen. Casting is so important in a film like this, and it couldn’t be more perfect.
Despite a predictable outcome and a few obvious exaggerations of the truth, “Flamin’ Hot” is an irresistible underdog story about a disruptor who shook up the snack food industry. It’s a funny, sweet, and delightful film that’s as crowd-pleasing as it gets.
By: Louisa Moore
Cast & Crew of
Flamin' Hot
Cast
... Richard Montañez
... Judy Montañez
... Vacho Montañez
... Concha Montañez
... Clarence C. Baker
... Roger Enrico
... Abuelito
... Tony Romero
... Hector Morales
... Lonny Mason
... Young Richard
... Lucky Montañez
... Young Lucky Montañez
... Steven Montañez
... Young Judy
... Pablito
... Diego
... Nacho
... Alejandro
... Al Carey
... James Finley
... Enrico's Secretary Patti
... Wade Carson
... Courthouse Judge
... Pastor Marco
... Post Office Clerk
... Post Office Customer
... Frito Lay Personnel Secretary
... Frito Lay Plant Director
... Frito Lay VP of Operations
... Scientist
... Young Mary Lou
... 1966 Quickie Mart Manager
... Quickie Mart Police Officer
... Quickie Mart Manager
... Quickie Mart Customer
... Cafeteria Kid
... Cafeteria Kid
... Cafeteria Kid
... Landscaper
... Grocery Store Manager
... Supermarket Woman
... Social Worker
... Angry Husband
... Janitor
... Waiter
... Bus Boy
Crew
... Screenplay
... Foley Artist
... Casting
... Set Designer
... Director
... Original Music Composer
... First Assistant Sound Editor
... Assistant Sound Editor
... ADR Mixer
... Production Design
... Music Editor
... Editor
... Set Decoration
... Executive Producer
... Unit Production Manager
... Production Sound Mixer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Visual Effects Producer
... Colorist
... Dialogue Editor
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Additional Second Assistant Director
... Camera Operator
... Hair Department Head
... Digital Compositor
... Producer
... Foley Artist
... Costume Design
... ADR Voice Casting
... Post Production Supervisor
... Supervising Music Editor
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Foley Artist
... Editor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Art Direction
... Camera Operator
... Property Master
... Stunt Coordinator
... Casting Associate
... Gaffer
... Hairstylist
... Art Department Coordinator
... Still Photographer
... Script Supervisor
... Boom Operator
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Extras Casting
... Key Makeup Artist
... Director of Photography
... Second Assistant Director
... Foley Editor
... Foley Mixer
... Assistant Location Manager
... Location Manager
... ADR Recordist
... First Assistant Editor
... Costume Supervisor
... Stunts
... Assistant Costume Designer
... First Assistant Director
... Production Design
... Best Boy Electric
... Screenplay
... VFX Editor
... Stunts
... Casting Assistant
... Set Designer
... Production Supervisor
... Assistant Makeup Artist
... Sound Effects Editor
... ADR Recordist
... ADR Recordist
... Executive Producer
... Set Designer
... Set Dresser
... Set Decoration Buyer
... Set Costumer
... Set Costumer
... Production Assistant
... Art Department Assistant
... Special Effects Technician
... Special Effects Technician
... Digital Compositor
... Digital Compositor
... Costumer
... Key Costumer
... Assistant Location Manager
... First Assistant Editor
... Music Supervisor
... Book
... Book
... Casting Assistant
... Makeup Department Head
... Assistant Editor
... Key Grip
... Hair Department Head
... Special Effects Coordinator
... Production Coordinator
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Producer
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