THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
In my eyes, I see only two types of success: the one that’s handed and the one that’s built & earned. So if you ask me what’s the best kind, I’ll regularly say the latter.
PLOT
Flamin’ Hot follows the life of Richard Montanez who grew up in Southern California. He first met his eventual wife Judy in school after sharing love with burritos. He would make money selling them, but would get arrested as a child when no one believed he earned it. Richard and Judy would be hoodlums early into their adulthood, but would break free from it by the time they had kids together. After having their second child, both were struggling to make ends meet. Luckily, Richard would get a job as a janitor at Frito Lay despite lying on the resume. Early on, he would pursue engineer maintenance leader Charles C Baker to teach him how to operate his machines. Despite building a working relationship with him, the Reagan administration would affect low level jobs and Frito Lay's stock was declining. One day after taking his sons out to eat elotes, Richard would be inspired to save the company by pitching spicy flavored food to the latino market. He shares his idea with Judy, who agrees to hear him out as long as he does the same to his father Vacho (Emilio Rivera) who offers him a better paid job. But when he is belittled by him, she chooses to support her husband completely. After a tireless effort, the family would find the perfect spicy flavor to mix with Cheetos. When floor head Lonny Mason (Matt Walsh) refuses to hear his pitch, he goes over his head and reaches out to CEO Roger Enrico. With him answering, the latter is intrigued for a janitor to go out of his way, he asks for a sample. When he later tries and enjoyes the chips after being sent to him, he sets up a meeting at the factory right away. On the day of, Richard would speak from the heart to get production going for Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Enrico would approve the production of the new flavored chips would result in more jobs, but the sales don't fly off. One of Richard's sons would realize it's not the case because it's not being advertised like the other chips. As he continues working, he would order everyone close to him to sell the brand around the streets. When that tactic pays off, Enrico would request for a bigger order to be produced. As success would continue, not only would Baker get his own promotion, but Richard would also be assigned to be head of international marketing. The film would end in an epilogue, revealing Richard's now billion dollar success success with Flamin' Hot Cheetos launched an entire industry of spicy products and retired in 2019, still married to Judy with their three sons.
THOUGHTS
There have been a lot of biopics in my lifetime and I never would've thought twice of the success of a chips brand to be told. Because I never of thought of it does not mean I wouldn't give it a chance. After tuning in on Hulu, I can admit that I was generally impressed of what was given. I felt such because Director Eva Longoria is able to teach all viewers to not give up on succeeding because success can come from anywhere. You want to achieve it? You gotta keep working hard, if not harder than before or you won't get what you're hoping for. Actor Jesse Garcia showed us that Richard was someone who knew that and didn't want to struggle anymore. And he found his scapegoat through something that would bring people together. His goal was to stop worrying about tomorrow and within Frito Lay, he studied his surroundings and befriended the right people who motivated him to keep going. If you maintain the mindset to not stop believing, good things will come your way. And lucky for him, he was surrounded by peers who reminded him of this everyday. The most important one who did so was his wife Judy. Annie Gonzalez portrayed her as the most supportive wife I've ever seen thus far. All she did was act hopeful for the better and that was enough for her husband to achieve what sounded impossible. Dennis Haysbert was even a delight to see as Clarence. He was a standout because he showed Richard the benefit of learning new things, while also reminding him there is patience to success. Inspiration can take many shape and forms, and it can be great to see it come from people in charge. That was the case for Richard when listening to a corporate video from Roger Enrico. Tony Shaloub made a memorable impression in making the boss a guy who wasn't trying too hard to inspire others, but chose to speak and hoped for people to listen. He was moved Richard saw his video and off of that, he respectively had to give the guy a chance. And from there, the rest was history. Enrico may have his own story of how success coming his way, which makes him glad for him to become a helping hand for someone else. Just seeing faith take hold of this adventure taught me to never doubt the possibilities. In short, Flamin' Hot is straightforward as a satisfying biopic that inspires to keep chasing for success because it ain't gonna chase back. You want to be motivated? Turn on Hulu and play this now.
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