A Million to Juan (1994)

Romantic comedy about an honest Mexican immigrant who struggles without a green card by selling oranges on a street corner. One day a limousine pulls up and he is handed a check for ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Rodriguez

Writers:

Robert Grasmere, Francisca Matos,

Stars:

Paul Rodriguez, Tony Plana, Bert Rosario

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Rodriguez	...	Juan Lopez
Tony Plana	...	Jorge
Bert Rosario	...	Alvaro
Polly Draper	...	Olivia Smith
Jonathan Hernandez	...	Alejandro Lopez
Larry Linville	...	Richard Dickerson
Victor Rivers	...	Hector Delgado
Maria Rangel	...	Anita
Leslie Danon	...	Patricia
Evelina Fernández	...	Mrs. Gonzales
Gerardo Mejía	...	Flaco (as Gerardo)
David Rasche	...	Jeff
Edward James Olmos	...	The Angel
Pepe Serna	...	Mr. Ortiz
Liz Torres	...	Mrs. Delgado

Storyline

Romantic comedy about an honest Mexican immigrant who struggles without a green card by selling oranges on a street corner. One day a limousine pulls up and he is handed a check for $1,000,000 with instructions that he is to give the check back in 30 days. Initially he uses the check to convince people to extend credit to him. In the meantime he also attracts a woman who is in a dead end relationship with a bossy businessman. At the end of the 30 days, he finds his life in turmoil, the things he got on credit is repossessed, and he is being evicted from his dwelling and being sent back to Mexico.

---

Plot Keywords:

family relationships | community | money | restaurant | angel | 

---

Taglines:

Money can't buy everything. Yeah, right.

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some very mild language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 May 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Million to One

Box Office

Gross:

$1,221,832 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crystal Sky Worldwide, Prism Entertainment Corporation, Trimark Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Juan Lopez: All the American citizens I know are illegal.

---

Connections

Version of Your Show Time: The Million Pound Bank Note (1949)

---

Soundtracks

"LATINO SWING"
Performed by Izzy Real
Written by B.R.Avila, B.Avila Sr., I.Avila
Izzy Real appears courtesy of Eye Productions

User Reviews

A sweet adaption of a Mark Twain tale, Hispanic style

Juan (Paul Rodriguez) was born in the migrant fields of California but was taken back to Mexico by his mother when he was six. He has no documentation to attest to his U.S. citizenship and lives as an illegal in the Los Angeles area with his young son. Despite the fact that he has two roommates, making the rent is very difficult and he resorts to selling oranges near the freeway. One day, someone gives him a check for a million dollars, only on loan. He must pay it back in full when a month is up. However, just being able to show off the authentic check gets him credit at posh clothing stores, car dealerships, and more. Is his life going to be easier? And, what about the kind, pretty immigration officer who smiles at him quite frequently? This is one of those nice trips down a lesser travelled road. It's wonderful to view a story about the Hispanic population and their unique problems and opportunities. Rodriquez is a charming fellow and he has assembled a fine cast around him. Although the film was not made on a big budget, it is still a worthy choice for film fans who like to stray from the blockbuster path and watch something different. Those who like romantic stories, too, will want to seek out this movie as well.