Born in East L.A. (1987)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Cheech Marin

Writer:

Cheech Marin (written by)

Release Date:

21 August 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

This time Cheech is not just on the wrong side of the law. He's on the wrong side of the line.

Plot:

Rudy is an American of Mexican descent who is caught up in an immigration raid on a factory. Deported to Mexico as an illegal immigrant...

Plot Keywords:

Illegal Immigrant | Reference To John Wayne | Escape | Based On Song | Independent Film

Awards:

4 wins

Cast

Cheech Marin	...	Rudy
Paul Rodriguez	...	Javier
Daniel Stern	...	Jimmy
Kamala Lopez	...	Dolores
Jan-Michael Vincent	...	McCalister
Lupe Ontiveros	...	Rudy's mother
Urbanie Lucero	...	Rudy's sister
Chastity Ayala	...	Rudy's niece
David Perez	...	Rudy's nephew
Neith Hunter	...	Marcie
Larry Blackmon	...	Slick dude
Tito Larriva	...	Oscar
Geoffrey Rivas	...	Immigration Aide (as Geoff Rivas)
Eddie Barth	...	Lester
Miguel Delgado	...	José

Runtime:

85 min | USA:93 min (TV version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:15 | USA:R | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Clear Type

Trivia:

Rudy's car is a 1965 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible that is lowered and has Porsche Fuchs wheels. This style is commonly known as the "California Look".

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: In one scene whit Rudy getting people in the bar you can see him talking but most of the words doesn't match what he is saying.

Quotes:

Rudy: If you want to be cool, first you pull your headband into the cool position. then you just lean back, put this hand in your pocket and then you wave this hand behind you like you just cut one and your trying to shoo away the stinch.

Movie Connections:

References "Death Valley Days: Tribute to the Dog (#13.9)" (1964)

Soundtrack:

Summertime Blues

Being in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Cheech Marin is a great talent. In his film, "Born in East L.A.", he clearly shows a man that has a good understanding about the issues at the heart of this entertaining movie. For some years now he has been by himself as his partnership with Tommy Chong ended.

Mr. Marin makes an important point in the film. Rudy, his main character, is a man born and raised in East L.A., as the title indicates, yet, he is deported to a country he probably has never been to. His roots are American, yet being in the wrong place, at the wrong time, trying to do a favor to his cousin, he is hauled to a detention center for illegal aliens and deported to Mexico.

Of course, the arrest and his deportation serves as the basis of a clever comedy that is easy on the eyes and have us laughing throughout the many funny situations Mr. Marin has created for himself and his crew. Daniel Stern is good as Jimmy, the man that exploits Rudy. Paul Rodriguez has some good moments as the newly arrived guy that keeps thinking the messages he hears in Rudy's answering service come from the Jesus image behind it. The lovely Kamala Lopez is easy on one's eyes, and the great Lupe Ontiveros plays Rudy's mom.

"Born in East L.A." is a funny movie with a message.