Born in East L.A. (1987)

When a native-born American citizen of Mexican descent is mistakenly deported to Mexico, he has to risk everything to get back home.

Director:

Cheech Marin

Writer:

Cheech Marin

Stars:

Cheech Marin, Daniel Stern, Paul Rodriguez

4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cheech Marin	...	Rudy
Paul Rodriguez	...	Javier
Daniel Stern	...	Jimmy
Kamala Lopez	...	Dolores
Jan-Michael Vincent	...	McCalister (as Jan Michael Vincent)
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	...	Jose

Storyline

Rudy is an American of Mexican descent who is caught up in an immigration raid on a factory. Deported to Mexico as an undocumented immigrant, he has no way of proving that he is in fact an American citizen, and is forced to rely on his cunning to sneak his way back home.

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Plot Keywords:

never give up | woman wearing mini dress | woman wearing a green dress | woman wears a short dress | woman wears a mini dress | 

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Taglines:

A Comedy Bordering On Insanity

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

21 August 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un pícaro de Los Ángeles

Filming Locations:

Tijuana, Baja California Norte, Mexico

Box Office

Gross USA:

$17,355,263

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clear Type

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 93 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The sign outside of Bradshawe Auto where Rudy works says, "In East L.A. Where every car is a foreign car."

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Goofs

When Border Patrol Agents arrest someone and deport them back to their country of origin, they just don't put them on a bus and send them directly back to the border. They have to follow a procedure, in which the illegal immigrant get sent to the Border Patrol station and they get processed. Which includes confirming Identity, finger printing, background checks, and taking photos.

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Quotes

Rudy: Hey Miester! I like your sister.

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Alternate Versions

The television broadcast version adds at least 15 to 20 minutes of footage. In this footage, Rudy does make it across the border only to be captured by kidnappers with his friends. He is held for ransom in the house across the street from his home and is rescued by the border patrol. When he hears that Dolores will have to be sent back across the border, he marries her and makes her a citizen. That's why the priest is behind them in the last shot of the TV versions.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

America
Written and Performed by Neil Diamond
Courtesy of Capitol Records, Inc. and Neil Diamond

User Reviews

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.