From Prada to Nada

MPAA Rating: PG-13

for brief drug use and a sexual situation.

Moral Rating:

_____

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Moviemaking Quality:

Primary Audience:

Adults Teens

Genre:

Romance Comedy Drama

Length:

1 hr. 47 min.

Year of Release:

2011

USA Release:

January 28, 2011 (wide—250+ theaters)
DVD: May 3, 2011

Relevant Issues

Money in the Bible

How can I spend my money more wisely? Answer

POVERTY—What does the Bible say about the poor? Answer

Poor in the Bible

Pride and humility

Women in the Bible

Biblical women with admirable character, include: Mrs. Noah, Mary (mother of Jesus), Esther, Deborah, and Milcah, daugher of Zelophehad.

Featuring:	April Bowlby (Olivia), Camilla Belle, Alexa Vega (Mary), Wilmer Valderrama (Bruno), Nicholas D'Agosto (Edward), Kuno Becker, Adriana Barraza (Aurelia Dominguez), Karla Souza (Lucy), Alexis Ayala (Gabe Dominguez), Denise Blasor (Voice replacement actress), Leticia Fabián (Natalia), Monica Burnes (Nurse), Begoña Narváez (Cary), Adan Canto (Jock), Luis Rosales (Juanito), Romina Peniche (Rosita the hairdresser), Oliverio Gareli (Marco Antonio), Catalina López (Trinita), Pablo Cruz (Gabe Jr.)
Director:	Angel Gracia
Producer:	Gilbert Films, Lionsgate, Odd Lot Entertainment, Videocine, Rossana Arau, Deborah Del Prete, Gary Gilbert, Linda McDonough, James M. McNamara, Ben Odell, Gigi Pritzker, Chris Ranta
Distributor:	Lionsgate

“A riches to rags story”

Producer’s Synopsis: “‘From Prada to Nada’, a modern twist on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility is a new romantic comedy starring Camilla Belle, Alexa Vega, Wilmer Valderrama, Kuno Becker and Academy Award nominee Adriana Barraza.

It’s a whimsical fish-out-of-water story of two spoiled sisters: Nora (Camilla Belle), a law student, and Mary (Alexa Vega), an undergrad party girl, living with their father in a luxurious mansion in Beverly Hills. Mary has become so ‘90210’ she refuses to admit she is of Mexican decent. When dad suddenly passes away, their posh lives are turned upside down.

They discover they have been left penniless and are forced to move into their estranged aunt Aurelia’s (Adriana Barraza) modest but lively home in the Latino-centric Boyle Heights neighborhood of East LA. They are terrified to leave their world of privilege; neither Nora nor Mary speak Spanish or have ever had to take on actual responsibility. The girls gradually adapt to their new environment; their BMW and Prius are traded for the public bus and a used car.

As they embrace the culture that for so long they refused to accept, they both discover romance, the true meaning of family, and they learn that the life of PRADA actually means NADA without love, family and community.”

Volunteer reviewer needed for this movie—Request this assignment

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

Comments below:

Positive
Neutral
Negative

Positive

Positive—I loved this movie! I’m a Jane Austen fan, and I really enjoyed finding the similarities between this story and Sense and Sensibility. I would definitely recommend it for a fun mother/daughter flick!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
—Dana Ralph, age 19 (USA)

Neutral

Neutral—This is a cute and simple movie with truth spoken in laughter. It reminded me to appreciate life and be grateful. It brought back the meaning of a simple life with love. It is fun to watch. However, the sensuality in the movie is not suitable for teenager or younger audiences.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3½
—I-Ting Chu, age 50 (USA)

Negative

Negative—First, I am a conservative Christian with 3 daughters from 6 to 13. I made the mistake of taking them to this movie without any reviews to go by. When we left the movie my 13 year old told me the movie was “inappropriate,” and my 6 year old told me there were “bad words.”

I will be brief. Smoking marijuana is mentioned in this movie; one sister actually (apparently) smokes it, the other one endorses it’s legalization. She also refers to conservatives who are against legalizing it as “in the dark.” Also, there is a very Pro-Mexico theme that in my opinion, goes beyond being proud of one’s heritage to almost anti-American (I am Hispanic).

Of the few caucasians in the movie, two are the greedy business owner and his lawyer who are trying to cheat some maids out of their benefits and one is the evil sister in law. Also, there are several instances where the word "sh*$" is used.

The characters are somewhat likable but the plot was not developed enough to hold my attention. Although there were a few funny moments, overall the movie was boring and appeared to be low budget. If you still want to see it wait for the DVD, you won’t be waiting long.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2½
—Roland, age 42 (USA)