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Cheech Marin, Paul Rodriguez, Daniel Stern, Kamala Lopez, Jan-Michael Vincent ... see more see more... , Neith Hunter , Alma Martinez , Tony Plana , Eddie Barth , Diana Bellamy , Eloy Casados , Lilyan Chauvin , Ernest Harden Jr. , Ernesto Hernandez , Ronald G. Joseph , Jason Scott Lee , Sal Lopez , Urbanie Lucero , Bob McClurg , Mike Moroff , Angela Moya , Lupe Ontiveros , Dyana Ortelli , Humberto Ortiz , David Selberg , Mark L. Taylor , Vic Trevino , Daniel Valdez , Sam Vlahos , Noble Willingham , Del Zamora , Larry Blackmon , Miguel M. Delgado , Ted Lin , Randal Patrick , Cassandra Peterson , Geoffrey Rivas , Ruben Guevara , David Yanez , Tito Larriva , Josh Cruze , Terrence Evans , David Silva

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 ... read more read more...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

Flixster Users

60% liked it

9,320 ratings

Critics

43% liked it

7 critics

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Cheech Marin

Release Date: August 21, 1987

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DVD Release Date: April 7, 1998

Stats: 394 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (394)

  • ScoopOnline
    December 15, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    A Comedy Bordering On Insanity
  • SirPant
    September 28, 2009
    SirPant
    Nice idea, not a brilliant film but I do like Cheech, he's entertaining and very watchable!
  • YosemiteSamFan
    August 8, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    Somewhat funny, but Cheech keeps hammering the title point "Born in East L.A." over our heads until it's annoying.
  • superclerk25
    February 26, 2007
    superclerk25
    Funny flick. I liked this one and my brother and I always watched it.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 22, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    pretty good movie
  • fb100002343630392
    July 13, 2011
    fb100002343630392
    easily cheech marin's hillarious and best performance he's been since up in smoke. A+
  • donnarenee2006
    November 13, 2008
    donnarenee2006
    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. ;)
  • ileo
    April 12, 2007
    ileo
    Funny!
  • jackass001
    December 2, 2010
    jackass001
    i'll remember i seen this movie in the theater i was about 7 and i'll remember i was an afraid with rudy (cheech marin) in tattoo scene. so now im so enjoy this movie of cheech marin the starring, written, and the director this film.

    this is a good funniest comedy movie of with ... read morecheech marin did great role as rudy of the character. this is the good opening credit with the red-hair female walking by. i wish tommy chong appear an cameo and tommy is to turned it down and i wish myself that he should an cameo (sadly). so this is the funny plot and paul rodriguez (javier) also starring and funniest character also role as rudy's cousin.
  • jakkijelene
    December 3, 2008
    jakkijelene
    I watched this movie at the prompting of my somewhat senile Dad. It's as low budget and low brow as it gets, but still couldn't help but find some parts pretty funny.

View All Born in East L.A. Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dan Lybarger
July 23, 2004
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online

Without the drugs or Tommy Chong, Marin still have something to offer.

Ken Hanke
January 8, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Surprisingly pleasant, warm comedy.

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Richard Harrington
January 1, 2000
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 9, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Carol Cling
August 22, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Rebecca Murray
March 5, 2003
Rebecca Murray, About.com

No review available.

Philip Martin
October 30, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Brian J. Arthurs
October 18, 2002
Brian J. Arthurs, Beach Reporter (Southern California)

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Born in East L.A. Trivia

  • Cheech Marin gets deported to Mexico and tries to get back to America.  Answer »
  • who was in all these movies?? The Last Time Very Bad Things Celtic Pride Bushwhacked Rookie of the Year Home Alone 2 - Lost in New York Home Alone Little Monsters Leviathan Born in East L.A. C.H.U.D. Frankenweenie Blue Thunder Coupe de Ville   Answer »
  • What movie is the following quote from? "Wasssappooonnnneeeen?"  Answer »
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