Thoughts on Born in East LA

Cheech Marin wrote, directed, and stared in this movie about a Mexican American (Rudy) wrongly deported to Mexico. He left his wallet at home and he was caught up in an immigration raid. He tries to get back to East LA.

Daniel Stern costars as an American running a bar and hiring Rudy for odd jobs. Why Stern’s character is in Mexico is hinted at but not completely explained. He and Cheech have some nice moments.

It is fun. Chech has a likable screen presence. As a viewer, you want him to get back home(at least I I did). His character Rudy was not fleuant in Spanish, which was done I guess to make him seem like an outsider in Mexico. There is a romantic subplot and that subplot is good. Kamala Lopez played Delores, who was from El Salvador and also worked at Daniel Stern’s bar.

There are some nice sight gags when he attempts to cross the border. The parody song Born in East LA is fun (and predated the film). This was Marin’s first movie after he and Tommy Ching ended their partnership. Paul Rodriguez has a small role but he and Marin never interact.

It is worth seeeing and I might even sample some of the bonus features of the Blu-Ray edition.



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