My Man and I

My Man and I (1952)

** (out of 4)

Chu Chu Ramirez (Ricardo Montalban), a Mexican immigrant, becomes a U.S. citizen and plans on living the American dream of working, making a home and being happy. He gets a job with a racist couple (Claire Trevor, Wendell Corey) but after the work is done they refuse to pay him and go as far as to falsely accuse him of a crime, which might land him in jail. This film has a good heart behind it but the screenplay just wonders around and never really focuses on anything. The film follows a pretty standard storyline, which takes away any possible drama since we can see where everything is going. Montalban is excellent in his role but it's a shame he didn't have a better screenplay to work with. Both Corey and Trevor are great as well and they come off very easy to hate. Shelley Winters plays a troubled woman who is befriended by Chu Chu. The most interesting aspect is how Chu Chu views America as a place of good and where nothing can go wrong. When he's accused of the crime he has a hard time figuring out how an innocent man can go to jail and I wish the film would have centered more on these issues. Seeing how a foreigner views America is something interesting to work with but the film goes all over the place.

"My Man and I" is a film which features a lovely performance by Ricardo Montalban as a Mexican-American named Chu Chu who has recently become a US citizen. He believes in the American Dream...and believes hard work and honesty will ultimately pay off. Unfortunately, he meets several people who test this to the limits...including a drunk lady (Shelley Winters) as well as a bully who cheats him out of a months' wages. What's next for the poor guy? See the film and find out for yourself.

I really appreciated Montalban's acting here and liked the character. My only complaint about him is that perhaps his character is too nice...too perfect. Still, it's a dandy film that explores the darker side of American life for some...even if the ending seems a bit hard to belive!

Chu Chu Ramirez, the Mexican immigrant has reason to feel elated: he has just become an American citizen. Ramirez believes in the fairness of his new country, after all, he complies with the law, keeps away from trouble and believes he has a future in the country.

Alas, some of the dreams and aspirations of Chu Chu take a turn for the worse, when he goes to work for a farmer that promises ninety dollars to clear a field. Ansel Ames, the landowner, has no intentions of paying him anything at the end of the month. Chu Chu feels cheated, but since he firmly believes in the legal system, where he knows he will prevail. Chu Chu has a taste in the American justice and by the end, he is vindicated for the crime he didn't commit.

William Wellman's "My Man and I" has a dated look. Perhaps at the time when the film was released it showed more impact than what it has today. Ricardo Montalban and Shelley Winters have some good moments, as well as Claire Trevor and Wendel Corey. Jack Elam plays a minor part as a friend of Chu Chu.

i was very surprised. the script was first rate. the story had a lot of twists and turns. seeing jack elam play a Mexican is reason enough to see this movie. was never much of a shelley winters fan but she was good. previously knew ricardo motalban as khan and the joker. he gives a very good performance but it is the script that is the key. some may call the story corny or idealistic but it still holds up today. the Mexican are portrayed very sympathetically probably much more so than the way they are perceived today. The movie is a commentary on the American dream circa 1952 but if you replace the mexicans with just about any non-elite group, including every day Americans it still is relevant

In the unforgettable "wild boys of the roads " (1933),Eddie who stands accused tells the judge about his plight ;the young actor was so convincing that he could effortlessly drive you to tears. Chu Chu did the same when he reads his letter to the president (of the US). Both believe in justice, both got a raw deal; people unfairly treated was a grave concern for the great William Welman : "the ox- bow incident"is certainly one of the most revolting films that has ever been filmed.

Chu Chu is proud to become an American citizen. He believes in the dream , in democracy and Lincoln's country cannot be wrong ; in direct contrast with him ,Nancy ,an alcoholic loser , has lost all her illusions ; but neither she nor the vilain,Ames ,can destroy Chu Chu's faith ,joie de vivre and hope for a better future .

The world can't be thoroughly black or white;even in his most desperate work, "ox -bow " ,seven people were the just against a maddening bunch ; Chu Chu is a good man who would not hurt a fly ,and the members of the jury (it's rare) do think it's a travesty of a trial ; and the way Chu Chu's friends torment Ames to awaken his conscience is pacifist, friendly persuasion, through and through ( going as far as to give a kitten to the wife)

Montalban ,Winters,Corey and Trevor are all excellent.