A Day Without a Mexican (2004)

When a mysterious fog surrounds the boundaries of California, there is a communication breakdown and all the Mexicans disappear, affecting the economy and the state stops working missing the Mexican workers and dwellers.

Director:

Sergio Arau

Writers:

Sergio Arau, Yareli Arizmendi,

Stars:

Caroline Aaron, Tony Abatemarco, Melinda Allen

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Caroline Aaron	...	Aunt Gigi
Tony Abatemarco	...	Talk Show Host
Melinda Allen	...	Ellen Abercombie (as Melinda R. Allen)
Frankie J. Allison	...	Oficer Carr (as Frankie Jay Allison)
Fernando Arau	...	Undocumented 1
Yareli Arizmendi	...	Lila Rodriguez
Todd Babcock	...	Nick
Maria Beck	...	Officer Sanchez
Yeniffer Behrens	...	Suzy
Arell Blanton	...	Chris
Cassidy Paige Bringas	...	Tracy Abercrombie
Brian Brophy	...	Barney Montana
Pilar Camporredondo	...	Lila's Mom (as Maria Camporredondo Neeley)
Elpidia Carrillo	...	Cata
Larry Carroll	...	Newscaster

Storyline

A thick fog surrounds California's borders, communication beyond state lines is cut off, and the Mexicans disappear: workers, spouses, and business owners are missing. Cars are abandoned in the street, food is left cooking on the stove. We meet the wife of a musician who's gone, a state Senator whose maid doesn't show up for work, and a farm owner whose produce is ripe and unpicked. A scientist asks any Mexicans who haven't disappeared to volunteer for genetic experiments: a female newscaster and the daughter of the musician may be the only missing links around. Why them? And where have all the Mexicans gone? Even the border guards grieve. The state and its economy grind to a halt.

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Plot Keywords:

mexican | musician | border | state senator | maid | 

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Taglines:

On May 14 there will be no Mexicans in California.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site (Spanish)

Country:

USA Mexico Spain

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

6 August 2004 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Hova tűntek a mexikóiak?

Filming Locations:

San Diego, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$619,976 (USA) (14 May 2004)

Gross:

$4,175,179 (USA) (19 November 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eye On The Ball Films, Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía (IMCINE), Jose and Friends Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Eduardo Palomo's last film.

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Goofs

In the beginning when Mary Jo sits up in bed, the covers fall to her lap. In the next shot the covers are still up at her chest.

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Crazy Credits

Bloopers and outtakes accompany the closing credits.

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Connections

Remake of A Day Without a Mexican (1998)

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Soundtracks

"Frijolero"
Written by Ayala / Ebright / Huldobro
Performed by Molotov
MCA Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Surco Music Inc. (ASCAP)
Administered by Universal Musica, Inc. (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Fantasy meets mockumentary with a dash of pop up video.

A Day Without a Mexican contains, quite possibly, the most unique and effective employment of a fantasy element I've ever seen.

While I'm not sure how much impact this film has on people who aren't from, or at least very familiar with, life in California, I think it speaks massive volumes all while maintaining a very witty and fun sense of humor about itself. While it gets over-dramatically silly, it is SPOT ON about the capability of Californian behavior (and I say that as a third generation Southern Californian who was raised, in part, by a German/Mexican stepmother).

I've noticed complaints about bad acting and/or writing in this film. The writing itself is strong, the dialogue is funny, and the cultural jokes are bordering on perfection. The acting did leave room for improvement, but that's standard in independent films that boast such a major societal commentary.

This is not the kind of film that's going to mean everything to everyone. It's geared toward a specific audience, which seems to include me, as I quite enjoyed this picture.

If you want a movie that'll, at the very least, raise some discussion, check it out.