Mi Vida Loca

For the song by Pam Tillis, see Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life). For the album by Jenni Rivera, see Mi Vida Loca (album).

Mi Vida Loca
File:Mi Vida Loca.jpg Theatrical Release Poster
Directed by	Allison Anders
Written by	Allison Anders
Starring	Angel Aviles Seidy López Jacob Vargas
Distributed by	Sony Pictures Classics
Release dates	July 15, 1994 (1994-07-15) (United States) March 24, 1995 (1995-03-24) (United Kingdom)
Running time	92 minutes
Country	United States United Kingdom
Language	English

Mi Vida Loca (also known as My Crazy Life) is a 1994 American drama film directed and written by Allison Anders. It centers on the plight of young Mexicanas and Chicanas (and their male counterparts) growing up in the Echo Park section of Los Angeles, who face the struggles of friendship, romantic entanglements, and motherhood in a neighborhood ravaged by gang violence. Based on a true story.

At the time of filming, most of the cast was made up of unknown actors, some of whom were actual gang members from Echo Park. It also include the first film appearances from Salma Hayek and Jason Lee, in small roles.

Plot

Mi Vida Loca tells the story of young Mexican-American women in Los Angeles and the struggles they have in a life of early motherhood while being members of a street gang. Mousie (Seidy López) and Sad Girl (Angel Aviles) are best friends from childhood, growing up in Echo Park, a neighborhood that had a significant amount of gang activity in the 1980s and 1990s, and remaining loyal to each other. But when Sad Girl sleeps with Mousie's boyfriend (a member of their neighborhood gang who is killed in a drug deal gone bad) and becomes pregnant, their friendship is ruptured.

As dramatic situations unfold around them, some that would turn violent, they must try to stay together as friends despite their betrayals. The film takes a rather independent look at a world where women seem to have no choice but to raise their children, involve themselves with gang activity, and survive by whatever means available.

Cast

Starring

• Angel Aviles – Mona a.k.a. Sad Girl
• Seidy López – Maribel a.k.a. Mousie
• Jacob Vargas – Ernesto a.k.a. Bullet
• Nelida Lopez – Whisper
• Marlo Marron – Angelica a.k.a. Giggles
• Christina Solis – Baby Doll
• Arthur Esquer – Shadow
• Julian Reyes – Big Sleepy
• Gabriel Gonzales – Sleepy
• Magali Alvarado – Alicia a.k.a. La Blue Eyes
• Jesse Borrego – Juan Temido a.k.a. El Duran

Also Starring

• Bertila Damas – Rachel
• Monica Lutton – Chucky
• Devine – Devine
• Veronica Arrellano - Stranger
• Panchito Gómez – Joker Bird
• Noah Verduzco - Chuco
• Angelo Martinez - Rascal
• Danny Trejo – Frank a.k.a. Casual Dreamer
• Eddie Perez - Sir Speedy
• Desire Galvez - Dimples
• Salma Hayek – Gata
• Los Lobos - Party Band

Soundtrack

Main article: Mi Vida Loca (soundtrack)

A soundtrack containing hip hop and contemporary R&B was released on March 8, 1994 by Mercury Records. It peaked at 70 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

Critical reception

Mi Vida Loca received positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that the film has earned an 80%, with a rating of 6.6 out of 10. It is only one out of a handful of acclaimed Hispanic-centered films.

External links

• Mi Vida Loca at IMDb
• Mi Vida Loca at Rotten Tomatoes
• Mi Vida Loca at AllMovie