Biopics never seem to run out of style. 2023 marked the cinematic retelling of the story behind how Air Jordans and Tetris became a reality. Now, the spotlight is on Cheetos thanks to the new Flamin’ Hot movie. However, there’s a lot of buzz surrounding the movie as people have questioned if Flamin’ Hot is really based on a true story like it claims to be.
What is the Flamin’ Hot movie about?
Flamin’ Hot takes viewers into the life of Richard Montañez, who claims to have invented the iconic Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. However, the movie‘s factual accuracy is a subject of controversy. The new biopic raises questions about the line between truth and fiction.
Montañez is a Mexican-American immigrant who begins as a janitor at the Frito-Lay factory in California. Fueled by ambition, he aims for more and learns about the machines from the plant’s engineer.
Directed by Eva Longoria, Flamin’ Hot is set in the early 1990s amidst a recession and job cuts. The movie follows the supposed real-life story of Richard Montañez and his journey from his humble beginnings to becoming a successful marketer at PepsiCo, which owns Frito-Lay.
Is Flamin’ Hot really based on a true story?
The authenticity of Flamin’ Hot being a true story has been a subject of debate. Richard Montañez claims to have invented the ever-popular Flamin’ Hot Cheetos by adding spices inspired by Mexican street corn to the company’s existing chips.
However, an investigation by the Los Angeles Times in 2021 disputed this claim and revealed a different perspective. According to the company’s official statement, Montañez was not involved in the development of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in any capacity.
The article suggests that Montañez’s rise within Frito-Lay was commendable, but his story of creating the iconic snack may be largely made up. These conflicting accounts have sparked discussions about the accuracy of the film’s narrative.
Cast, crew, and Where to Watch
Flamin’ Hot features an impressive cast, with Jesse Garcia portraying Richard Montañez and Annie Gonzalez playing his wife, Judy. Emilio Rivera takes on the role of Richard’s father, Nacho, while Dennis Haysbert portrays Clarence, Richard’s mentor and the plant engineer.
Four-time Emmy Award winner Tony Shalhoub plays PepsiCo CEO, Roger Enrico. The film is directed by Eva Longoria, best known for Desperate Housewives. The screenplay is written by Lewis Colick and Linda Yvette Chávez.
Have you watched Flamin' Hot yet? It burns good. pic.twitter.com/H005Fd3AXx
— Hulu (@hulu) June 9, 2023
Flamin’ Hot is currently available for streaming exclusively onDisney+ and Hulu. In a short while, the movie managed to generate a lot of buzz thanks to the controversy but also due to the efforts of the cast and crew members.
Social media reviews for Flamin’ Hot
Despite the noise surrounding its authenticity, Flamin’ Hot has managed to work with a significant portion of its audience. On Twitter, some users have expressed that all they care about is whether they are able to enjoy the movie without having to know the truth.
Some believe the story does not deserve to be told on such a level as it’s based on fake grounds. Others seem to poke fun at the odd choice of a biopic about Cheetos.
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