Born in East L.A. (1987)

43% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
60% of users liked it
(9,320 ratings)

Richard "Cheech" Marin, of Cheech & Chong fame, directed and starred in Born in East L.A.. Inspired by Marin's music-video parody of Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA", the film casts Cheech as an East Los Angeles repairman. While paying a visit to a sweatshop toy factory, Cheech is caught in the… More Richard "Cheech" Marin, of Cheech & Chong fame, directed and starred in Born in East L.A.. Inspired by Marin's music-video parody of Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA", the film casts Cheech as an East Los Angeles repairman. While paying a visit to a sweatshop toy factory, Cheech is caught in the middle when the feds raid the place and cart off all the illegal alien workers. Since he's forgotten to bring his own i.d., Cheech is also shipped off to Mexico-where, having next to no knowledge of the Spanish tongue, he's virtually helpless. Desperate, he takes a job with crooked Tijuana saloon owner Daniel Stern-the first of many "make-do" jobs that he assumes to earn enough money to return home. Along the way, he falls in love with El Salvadorian girl Kamala Lopez, whose English is as fractured as Cheech's Spanish. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Cheech Marin
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 21, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Apr 7, 1998
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
Without the drugs or Tommy Chong, Marin still have something to offer.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Surprisingly pleasant, warm comedy.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Wahida K

A Comedy Bordering On Insanity
Anthony L

Nice idea, not a brilliant film but I do like Cheech, he's entertaining and very watchable!
Lafe F

Somewhat funny, but Cheech keeps hammering the title point "Born in East L.A." over our heads until it's annoying.
Jason S

Funny flick. I liked this one and my brother and I always watched it.
danny d

pretty good movie
Juan C

easily cheech marin's hillarious and best performance he's been since up in smoke. A+
Donna D

Kinda cheesy, but Cheech Marin is so funny in this crazy comedy, as he plays Rudy, who accidently get's deported into Mexico when he forget's his ID at home. Funny scenes. ;)
Leo L

Funny!

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Cheech Marin as Rudy Robles

            Paul Rodriguez as Javier

            Daniel Stern as Jimmy

            Kamala Lopez as Dolores

            Jan-Michael Vincent as McCalister

            Neith Hunter as Marcie

            Alma Martinez as Gloria

            Tony Plana as Feo

            Eddie Barth as Lester

            Diana Bellamy as Harry's Wife

            Eloy Casados as Thug #1

            Lilyan Chauvin as German Woman

            Ernest Harden Jr. as Border Patrol Officer

            Ernesto Hernandez as Fernando

            Ronald G. Joseph as Tattoo Prisoner

            Jason Scott Lee as What's Happening Boys

            Sal Lopez as What's Happening Boys

            Urbanie Lucero as Rudy's Sister

            Bob McClurg as Harry

            Mike Moroff as Thug #2

            Angela Moya as Mexican Wife

            Lupe Ontiveros as Rudy's Mother

            Dyana Ortelli as Mother with Oranges

            Humberto Ortiz as Boy with Oranges

            David Selberg as Policeman

            Mark L. Taylor as TV Evangelist

            Vic Trevino as Border Patrol Officer

            Daniel Valdez as Norteno Trio

            Sam Vlahos as Father Sanchez

            Noble Willingham as Border Patrol Sargeant

            Del Zamora as What's Happening Boys

            Larry Blackmon as Slick Dude

            Miguel M. Delgado as Jose

            Ted Lin as What's Happening Boys

            Randal Patrick as Border Patrol Officer

            Cassandra Peterson
            
            Geoffrey Rivas as Immigration Aide

            Ruben Guevara as Miguel

            David Yanez as Alter Boy

            Tito Larriva as Oscar

            Josh Cruze as Jail Truck Driver

            Terrence Evans as Immigration Officer

            David Silva as Norteno Trio
See full cast

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