Beverly Hills Chihuahua is Disney movie that was released in 2008, and as you will see it is not only packed with Latino and white stereotypes, but it is also similar to the movies Born in East LA, and Real Women Have Curves. It is about a spoiled chihuahua from Beverly Hills named Chloe (Drew Barrymore). Chloe’s owner is a rich successful white woman named Viv (Jammie Lee Curtis). Viv is called away on business and she has her niece Rachelle (Piper Perabo) watch Chloe. Rachelle is a typical young adult who is very irresponsible, and according to Chloe can’t even hold a job. Rachelle ends up taking Chloe to Mexico and loses her. Chloe goes through a lot in this movie but in the end she is rescued with the help of admirer Papi (George Lopez) who is also a chihuahua. His Character is a little love struck Latino, who is always trying to get Chloe’s attention. Papi’s owner is Viv’s landscaper, Sam (Manol Cadona).
From this brief description you can already see the movie has it’s typical stereotypes. Viv a rich white woman from Beverly Hills, her niece is an irresponsible rich kid, her landscaper, or as Rachelle, and Chloe refer to him and Papi “just the gardener” is….you guessed it Latino!
As I previously mentioned the movie is similar to Born in East LA. In fact the plots are almost identical. Chloe’s character is much like Rudy’s (Cheech Marin). Chloe is technically Mexican American, since she is a chihuahua from Beverly Hills, and Rudy is also Mexican American. Both of these characters end up trapped in Mexico and their only goals is to get back home, and they face many struggles in trying to get back. While in Mexico Chloe is placed in a kennel with other dogs, and they begin to speak to her in Spanish, just as the passengers on the bus did to Rudy when he was being deported. Both characters say they do not speak Spanish and the rest of the group seems appalled. In the kennel one of the dogs asks Chloe “don’t you speak any Spanish?” She asks, “why would I?” And he replies “hello because you’re a chihuahua mija!!” This is a stereotype that many Latinos face, it is assumed because they are Latino they should know how to speak Spanish even if they were born and raised in America. To add to that stereotype it is sometimes assumed Latinos do not know how to speak English. This is also shown in both movies. In Beverly Hills Chihuahua Rachelle tells Sam to get Papi, but she assumes he does not speak English, and she attempts to to talk to him in some form of her own Spanglish. Sam does not correct her but later it is revealed he speaks perfect English. Rachelle gets upset that Sam “made” her look stupid by letting her think he only speaks Spanish and he points out she didn’t need any help from him. This also happens to Rudy a few times in the movie, for example when he speaks to the border patrol and when he first meets Jimmy. The white characters are shocked he speaks English so well.
This movie is not only similar to Born in East LA but it is also similar to Real Women Have Curves. Chloe and Ana (Amercia Ferrera) are similar in that they start off as bratty selfish characters who perhaps really do believe they are better than the other characters. However, as they spend more time with the other characters they begin to accept their culture and find a new appreciation for it. The same also happens to Rudy.
Another way the two films are similar are Chloe and Ana are empowered by the men in the film. Chloe is empowered by Montezuma (Placido Domingo) a little chihuahua warrior. He tells Chloe she is also a warrior and that chihuahuas should not stand for being little helpless lap dogs and they were not bred to be dressed up and carried in purses, but instead they are a mighty warrior breed who can do anything. In the end she transforms from a helpless little lap dog to a “warrior dog” who fights the evil doberman, El Diablo (Edward James Olmos), in order to help Papi and her friend Delgado (Andy Garcia). Ana’s teacher, Mr. Guzman (George Lopez)is somewhat of a Montezuma as he tells her she is smart and she can do anything she wants to do, and she should not waste it and not go to college. Ana also has somewhat of a fight with her mom who does not want her to go to college, but in the end Ana goes off to college.
I viewed the this film with my thirteen year old niece, and when it was over she asked, “so was this movie to show how Chloe accepted her Mexican culture?” I do think that is what not only this movie, but also Real Women Have Curves and Born in East LA aimed to do. To show how Mexican Americans are torn between two worlds and face stereotypes on both sides, and how they struggle to find and accept who they are.
I wish I remembered this movie better but your comparisons seem pretty spot on. It is definitely an assumption people make a lot that all Latinas will speak Spanish and also that they will not know English well. Your comment about the landscaper being the stereotypical latino reminded me of a friend I grew up with. We lived in a most white city and his family was Mexican and when his dad was mowing the lawn one day the neighbor had asked how much they charged, assuming he was their gardener. At the time it was funny, but it is actually pretty sad how programmed people are. It seems like this movie uses the Chihuahua breed to represent Mexican- Americans because she starts off not being in touch with her roots and then by then end is proud of what she is and her history.
I never saw this movie because I just assumed it was really dumb. While I am sure it’s not the best film ever made, I think that with the connections that you have forged between this movie and the others that we have screened it can be deemed as worth a viewing.
In addition to the blatant stereotypes that Chloe deals with outside of her little world and in tying this to what we discussed about the “White Gaze,” it seems that there are quite a few stereotypes about Caucasians in this film as well. They are viewed as over-privileged, spoiled, and irresponsible.
I found it funny and a bit embarrassing the way that Rachelle attempted to speak Spanish to Sam. It shows the ignorance of many people and their lack of awareness of their surroundings. Which, unfortunately, happens far too often in real life.
I do not believe that i have seen this movie. However, by looking at your blog, it appears as the movie had some similarities with the Born in East LA movie. It also, appears as if the movie had some stereotypes in rewards to Caucasians people in the movie. In addition, this movie also had similarities with the movie Real Women Have Curbs this showed how Mexican Americans have to deal with being from to different nationalities as an American born in the United States. Just like in the movie Born in East LA this movie also deals with the fact that they were both deported to Tijuana and could not find a way to get back to the United States.
What a cute movie. I agree this film is a bit like Born in East LA. With the emphysis on dramatising the Hispanic stereotypes. Its funny how in a assume a kids film the creators show a point of Mexican American differences vs when he was deported and his own race pointing him out as being different because he did know how to speak their native language. I wonder if kids pick up on things like that while watching this movies like this. Fun movie! nice blog!
While I like the characters in this film and thought it slightly entertaining after reading the review and the class I view things a little differently. The whole concept of the American in Mexico and one being upper class it’s crazy the message this sends. It’s smart using dogs and character to express a point with humor without getting group in an uproar because they use people and races the show the true meaning! I think it could be a fun family film if the underlying messages are ignored!
My sons and I have watched this film many times. I had never realized the stereotypes or negativity. Taking this class, I have learned to not only watch and enjoy a film but to analyze the film for a message. This film is very similar to Real Women Have Curves and Born in East LA. I also find similarities in this film to The Lady and The Tramp. The dog with the wealthy owner falls in love with the dog that has a poor owner and love defeats the negativity and stereotypes, similar to telenovelas. Good comparisons and examples. I hope you have a great summer.
Hello Andy,
Part of being Mexican American is the debate of being in touch with our roots or cutting them off to belong. It is a difficult choice. My boys will be the second generation, and I have taught and told them about the sacrifices my parents have made for us to have a better life and the importance of accepting and being proud of who we are. I always tell them we are all unique, and we need to respect one another. I only hope they grow up to be proud and educated Mexican Americans. Have an awesome summer.
Hello Milton,
The blog, as well as the movie, illustrates white privilege, the negative stereotypes that are attached to Mexicans, and the struggles of Latina women. I will definitely recommend the movie; it has talking dogs which make it fun to watch if you are a dog lover.
This movie looks very cute. It’s funny how before this class we viewed movies so differently. I remember when this movie came out. I never saw it but just assumed it was a cute dog movie. Now when I watch movies I see them in a different way. There are always underlying social themes and statements they are making. It does sound like it is a cartoon version of Born in East LA. It sounds like it deals with immigration and the stereotypes of white and hispanic people (dogs). I loved the part you described about the Chihuahua not speaking spanish and getting laughed at by the Mexican dogs. This is exactly like the scene in Born in East LA. I can identify with that as you also said you can. Growing up people see me and heard my last name (maiden name was Campos) and assumed I spoke Spanish. It’s almost like if you don’t speak Spanish you are not a real Mexican. In fact, I’ve had people tell me that. It’s hard to find where you fit in. This movie is great in showing that we need to embrace our culture and make it a part of who we are. I really enjoyed your review and comparisons to other films from the semester. Great job!