HCA Gradebook: “Flamin’ Hot”

Movie: Flamin’ Hot
Plot: Flamin’ Hot is the inspiring true story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia), 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.
Cast: Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Emilio Rivera, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh, Pepe Serna, Bobby Soto, Jimmy Gonzales, Brice Gonzalez, Vanessa Martinez, Fabian Alomar, Mario Ponce, and Hunter Jones.
Director: Eva Longoria
Release Date: June 9, 2023
Studio: Searchlight Pictures
Number of Graders: 18
Overall Grade: B

Connor Petrey says, “Eva Longoria’s feature directorial debut Flamin’ Hot is a superb example of how to craft a remarkable, unbelievable story into one of the most inspirational narratives for the ages.”
Grade: A

James White says, “Eva Longoria makes a confident directorial debut in this based-on-truth story of Richard Montañez who – at least, according to him – was responsible for creating Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. The truth may lie somewhere next to that, but there’s no denying the inspiring, entertaining life story on display here. It’s well acted and thoughtfully directed and does a fine job of puncturing the cliches around latino stories.”
Grade: B

Alex Billington says, “Even better than I was expecting! A surprisingly smart, clever, entertaining script turns this simple story about the janitor guy who invented the Flamin Hot Cheetos flavor into something more endearing and inspiring. Best of all, Jesse Garcia’s performance as Richard Montañez is what makes this an unforgettable one-of-a-kind creation – just like his Flamin Hot spice. All around an enjoyable film, happy to recommend it.”Grade: B+

Ricky Valero says, “Overall, with an entire team working from top to bottom to make this thing with so much passion and heart, it resulted in one of the best movies of 2023. It’s such an inspirational journey that will inspire so many people. Flamin’ Hot is beautiful and will have you in tears, so have the tissues ready.”
Grade: A

Zachary Pope says, “An enjoyable enough True Story that is charming, delightful, & entertaining! Eva Longoria does a great job directing!”
Grade: B+

Peggy Marie says, “Flamin’ Hot gives us a nice, fun story about how titles shouldn’t matter. Whether it’s completely true or not, it’s still a fun watch. I happen to love Flamin Hot Cheetos and absolutely loved this working man’s story of how he brought this product to my cupboards!”
Grade: C+

Nate Adams says, “It’s easy to see why Eva Longoria decided to make Flamin’ Hot her directorial debut. Packed with a good heart, sentimental value, and an endearing rags-to-riches narrative that champions Hispanic heritage, the story of how Frito Lay janitor Richard Montañez, who claims to have created the iconic Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, is as close to a sure thing as you can get. Except a simple Google search will tell you Richard Montañez didn’t actually come up with the idea and the book of which the movie is based has already been debunked. So where does that leave Flamin’ Hot, which by all accounts is a well-intentioned, competently made film that, despite the fabrications, delivers a somber message about pursuing your dreams and ambitions in the face of adversity? The answer is somewhere in the middle.”
Grade: B-

Rosa Parra says, “Flamin’ Hot showcases that our stories matter and they have a broad social-cultural impact. At its core, this is a funny, empowering, and heartfelt story about family and perseverance. A reminder to wear our cultural heritage as a badge of honor.”
Grade: B

DarkSkyLady says, “Flamin’ Hot feels epic in the way emotional yet happy Disney films are. Eva Longoria’s impressive directing skills lead a cast filled with top-tier performances. Jesse Garcia, in the lead role, brings humor, and a never-say-die spirit that makes you sit back in awe. But it’s not just joy and chuckles a minute. There’s an underlying message about how marginalized communities are disregarded in this society, and while some will take the “work harder” bootstrap idea from the film, I hope many more focus on the self-love and community.”
Grade: A-

Nancy Tapia says, “Flamin’ Hot was entertaining to watch and appreciated the brief Chicano history scene. However, I found it difficult to connect and sympathize with the story as it felt more like a selling story.”
Grade: C

Paul McGuire Grimes says, “Director Eva Longoria has a focused approach with how to tell this story and uses a positive drive in telling it. It always felt like the right tone for a movie about the creation of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. She knows this doesn’t need to be a Wolf of Wall Street-style business movie about a ruthless entrepreneur. It’s a human-interest story about family, perseverance and never giving up. Richard is someone who always led with his authentic self.”
Grade: B

Joel David Amos says, “Sorry, but it’s true—and may seem like a cliche statement. Director Eva Longoria has made a directorial debut that is as scorching as its title—Flamin’ Hot. This true story of how a Frito Lay janitor would invent a chip flavor that would revolutionize the snack market and make millionaires out of the most incredible of families—who utterly and completely embody the essence of the American dream. Through Longoria’s direction, the audience is not only treated to a feel-good success story, but an intricate lesson in perseverance and profound determination.”
Grade: A

Kevin L Lee says, “Absolute . The inspiration, heart, and crowd-pleasing joy behind Richard Montañez’s story cannot be denied. Jesse Garcia and Annie Gonzalez are absolute stars, and Eva Longoria directs this like dynamite.”
Grade: B+

Lupe Rodriguez Haas says, “Flamin’ Hot is the movie the Frito-Lay company doesn’t want you to see. Despite the corporation’s claim that Montañez had nothing to do with the launch, Flamin’ Hot is an inspirational rags-to-riches Latino story.”
Grade: B

Tom O’Brien says, “I had been looking forward to “Flamin’ Hot for several reasons — stories with Mexican-American families at their center are rare in mainstream films, and the potential breakthrough by first-time Latina director Eva Longoria offered even more promise. But what was billed to be hot turns out to be surprisingly bland. The screenplay by Linda Yvette Chávez & Lewis Colick too often skims the story’s surface bypassing the drama underneath, particularly in the family scenes which play like an about-to-be cancelled sitcom, as well as the factory sequences that bear little to no resemblance to life on the assembly line. Jesse Garcia and Annie Gonzalez have enormous charm but even that only takes the film so far. In its efforts to become only a crowd-pleaser, the thin treatment of Richard Montañez’s (alleged) invention of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos is, sad to say, a missed opportunity at a more meaningful film.”
Grade: C+

Caillou Pettis says, “Flamin’ Hot, directed by Eva Longoria, offers an engaging and inspiring portrayal of Richard Montanez’s journey, as he revolutionizes the snack food industry.”
Grade: B

Monica Gleberman says, “Flamin Hot takes an underdog American dream story and makes it fun from beginning to end. While this seems to be the year of backstories (Tetris, Air, Blackberry), this movie puts a light hearted twist on the story of a man who changed the entire food industry with those firey hot cheetos. At times, it does fall a bit on the corney side, with some of the jokes and voiceover feeling a bit stale but it powers through to showcase the resliance of a man and his family. Richard Montanez went against all the odds, did the hardwork, and never quit. It’s a firey tale of inspiration and admiration. Eva Longoria, who directed the film, did a great job infusing the Montanez family culture and mentality. Well done.”
Grade: B

Jana N Nagase says, “Flamin’ Hot is an inspiring story about never giving up your dreams & trust in your guts! It’s funny & empowering. Eva Longoria did an outstanding job on her directorial debut. I also love Jesse Garcia & Annie Gonzalez chemistry as Ricardo Montanez and his wife Judy.”
Grade: A-