Born in East L.A.
Tags: humor

Plot synopsis:
Rudy Robles (Marin) is told by his mother to pick up his cousin Javier (Paul Rodriguez) at a factory before she leaves for Fresno. Robles arrives shortly before immigration officials raid the factory looking for illegal immigrants. Because he is carrying no identification, and his mother and sister are not available to verify he is a US citizen, Robles is deported with the illegals to Mexico.
Ironically, Robles cannot speak more than very simple Spanglish, though he is fluent in German from having served in Germany in the United States Army.
In Tijuana, Robles becomes friends with a guy named Jimmy (Daniel Stern) and a waitress named Dolores (Kamala Lopez-Dawson). Unable to contact his mother, Robles makes repeated attempts to cross the border, all ending in failure.
Jimmy offers to get him back home for a price. Having left home without his wallet, Robles works for Jimmy as doorman at a strip club, earning extra money selling oranges and teaching five would be illegal immigrants, two Central Americans and three Asians, to walk and talk like East Los Angeles natives. They become called the "Waas Sappening Boys" or "What's Happening Boys".
Robles falls in love with Dolores and finally raises the money needed to be smuggled across the border. He goes on a date with Dolores and the next day, Robles bids farewell to Jimmy, receives a last kiss goodbye from Dolores and climbs into the coyote's truck. He sees a woman pleading to also be taken as her husband is already in the truck and their family is in the United States, but she lacks the money to pay for her to be smuggled. Robles gives the woman his place.
Robles stands for the last time on the hill of the Mexico – United States border while two Immigration Officers sit in their truck watching in laughter. The song "America" by Neil Diamond is heard as Robles raises his arms and hundreds of people appear and race forward to reach the American Dream. The Immigration Officers hide in their truck. Rudy, Dolores, and their "Waas Up" friends walk with their heads up high into the United States.
Rudy and Dolores are kidnapped by coyotes and held for ransom, coincidentally, across the street from Rudy's home. He calls his cousin Javier from across the street to bring him his wallet, which he does to pay off the kidnappers. Then la migra storms in, headed by the man in the sunglasses and cowboy hat who had deported Rudy in the beginning.
Rudy shows his identification this time to the immigration officer, who says he's going to send Dolores back to El Salvador. Rudy and Dolores make a dash and escape during the East Los Angeles Cinco de Mayo parade. Not knowing where to turn, Rudy and Dolores hop onto the float with a priest; Rudy asks if he can marry them. Rudy and Dolores both look at each other in happiness as they are wed.
The immigration officer arrives to place Dolores under arrest. Rudy then explains that they've just been married, making Dolores a legal resident. The crowd, witnessing everything, cheers.
At the end, as the credits roll, the song version of "Born in East L.A." plays.

Review: 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..
Next to "Shrimp on the Barbie," this is my favorite Cheech Marin movie as he goes on to prove he can actually be funny by not playing a pothead.
A Mexican-American dragged across the border, he shows the lengths he is willing to go to return home and prove he is an American, but there is also a sensitive and heart-warming touch to his range as he proves he is also a good guy and not just some clown.
needless to say, i watched the whole thing and totally enjoyed it.it's very funny at times, and the plot is hilarious!
When this movie was made, it was a comedy.
There's no way of knowing how many people have actually been detained and/or deported because the government refused to believe their documentation -- Or they lacked it; Citizens don't have green cards, after all, so an immigration officer who is determined to deport anyone without one will deport a lot of citizens.I just read an Associated Press article about a man by the name of Jose Ledesma who was jailed for two months, because the feds refused to accept his 100% real birth certificate as legitimate.
There were a few laugh-out-loud moments, including scenes with Javier and scenes when Rudy has to deal with the boarder patrol.
The romance with the woman from El Salvador was actually tolerable (I generally do not like romance in movies), plus it didn't take up too much of the time.
As the movie goes on the audience sees Rudy is a man with a good heart, yet I sensed no sappieness.
Another aspect of "Born in East L.A." is that it can make people think about the struggles and poverty that happens just over our boarder; this serious issue is presented in a comedy though, so it's easier to take and people don't have to put their guard up for preachy morals while they're looking for a good laugh.
I think this movie was great the second time around..
Rudy, a Mexican-American, born in the United States is deported to Mexico by mistake.
Cheech Marin showed some excellent acting in this movie.
He's a kind-hearted person who helps out some folks in bad situations, like the mother of three who he gives the oranges to, and the wife of a man who can't afford to pay a coyote to bring her into the United States.
It was a love story...a painful thing to watch at times and funny at the same time.
I had seen it before, but the second time around made the picture better.
My fave movie with Cheech Marin!.
Cheech is sent to a factory full of illegal immigrants to pick up his cousin "Javier".
They think cheech is one of them, and they send him to mexico.
I read all the reviews and most people didn't like this film, but i think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread!
The best part of the movie is when he tells the prison guard, Phil,says "Rudy, you still owe me $100!" Cheech says "Yeah, Heres one of them, F**K YOU!" (I wish IMDb allowed curse words!) This gets a 7/10.
Cheech wrote, directed, and starred, so stack this with Chong's solo resume ("Far Out Man" !?)and you see who was the true talent.Some have passed this film off as second-rate 80s fluff, but they're missing a lot.
East LA is, upon second look, a timely take on the overreactive Reagan-era round-'em-up, ask-no-questions immigration policy, in which many legal residents and citizens were actually deported.
Plus, Cheech's character grows from initially fawning over a French woman in the opening scene and living a typical apathetic American life to falling in love with a Mexican woman and helping others in their quest to work in the U.S.And it's funny..."Whas happenING!" "I like your pants" "Get behind me, Satan!".
Only three memorable things about this movie: Neith Hunter in a painted on dress that comes down no further than a bathing suit, in four inch spike heels, walking across some city streets.
Great movie!
I thought it was funny, Sure I wanted to seriously hurt the border patrol dude, because he was discriminating to my Raza, but over all, it was great.
Cheech does such great work in trying to get back to Los A and man is that funny!
From half the team that gave us classics of the hippie and drug era, comes this suprisingly good comedy.
Cheech Marin puts in a solid performance as Rudy who gets accidentally deported.
Daniel Stern is frighteningly good as the sleezy con-man who works just south of the border, and hires Rudy to do whatever little tasks he could come up with (and pocketing most of the earnings, and a share of Rudy's).
Kamala Lopez is simply gorgeous as the El Salvadorian who becomes the romantic part of Rudy's stay in Mexico.And what can be said about the Red Headed Girl in a Green Dress that you can't see in the opening scene..
One Of My Great Fall Back Movies.
I don't know how many times I have seen this movie, and it's Still very entertaining for me!
there is nothing like an actor growing and expanding their horizons, and showing you what they think is funny!
not to mention that he brought a whole new light to things that most people don't even think about (even if it was for entertainments sake)Awesome movie when you just don't know what else to watch!
its a funny feel good movie that actually makes you think and displays cheech's talent!
As a kid, I didn't like it probably because he wasn't with Chong getting stoned all the time.
Sure the story was a bit predictable but the movie did have a decent flow and never seemed to bore.
The acting was pretty decent and there were plenty of laughs (again it's not slapstick stoner humor) Also keeping in mind that Chong usually directed their films, Cheech did a good job first time out.
I think we'd all like to see them reunite, but lets just appreciate the material they've left us and leave it at that.
Rudy Robles (Cheech Marin) is a mechanic born and raised in east L.A. He lives with his mother and sister's family.
They leave for Fresno while he's told to pick up cousin Javier (Paul Rodriguez) at a factory.
Rudy is picked up in an immigration sweep and deported to Mexico.
He starts working for pool hall owner Jimmy (Daniel Stern) and befriends waitress Dolores (Kamala Lopez-Dawson).I don't really like this Cheech without Chong.
I imagine pot humor would go really great with this movie.
I love everything about this movie, funny, touching (with the woman, her kids and the oranges) and everything else.
But what I love most about this movie is Kamala Lopez.
A shame that it has been deeply cut, all the section about the house across the road is missing (all you get is the mention from mother at the start) and since the result is a really short film with a jagged disconnect at the end, one wonders why they did that.
Didn't anyone on the original production review the work before issuing it?Some sequences are laugh out loud funny.
Cheech Minus Chong Can Still Equal A Fair Comedy.
In his first leading film role without his former comedy partner, Thomas Chong, Richard "Cheech" Marin portrays a Mexican man who is not yet an American citizen.
He gets mixed up in a deportation raid and goes on a comic adventure to return to the U.S. Not as funny as the outings with Chong but still fairly amusing..
The beginning and end are excellent ideas for perhaps a Saturday Night Live bit, but to pad the running time to its meek 87 minute point, writer-director-star Marin throws in some moderately entertaining moments.
He throws in a half-hearted romance (with the cute Kalama) that doesn't really go anywhere, which may have given the film a little more to chew on.
The beginning and end are excellent ideas for perhaps a Saturday Night Live bit, but to pad the running time to its meek 87 minute point, writer-director-star Marin throws in some moderately entertanining moments.
It all begins when he shows up at a factory to pick up his illegal alien cousin, but a surprise immagration raid ensues and, in the madness, an identification-less Marin is deported to Mexico.
It all begins when he shows up at a factory to pick up his illegal alien cousin, but a surprise immagration raid ensues and, in the madness, an identification-less Marin is deported to Mexico.
In one of his pre-"Wonder Years" voice, City Slickers and Home Alone roles, Stern is great as the high octane Jimmy, a sauve operator of anything money related.
In one of his pre-"Wonder Years" voice, City Slickers and Home Alone roles, Stern is great as the high octane Jimmy, a sauve operator of anything money related.
He puts Marin to work encouraging passers by to enter a bar, or has him selling oranges on a street corner, and in one of the films best gags, teaching a bunch of dopey non-English speaking foreigners how to carry themselves in LA.
He puts Marin to work encouraging passers by to enter a bar, or has him selling oranges on a street corner, and in one of the films best gags, teaching a bunch of dopey non-English speaking foreigners how to carry themselves in LA.
The "wass-sappening" boys will be well remembered.
The "wass-sappening" boys will be well remembered.
He throws in a half-hearted romance that doesn't really go anywhere, which may have given the film a little more to chew on.
I would guess that Marin came up with the ending first and tried to come up with enough antics to reach that point.
I would guess that Marin came up with the ending first and tried to come up with enough antics to reach that point.
Julio Cesar Ovalle and the Border Patrol Agents that deported him illegally should have watched this film first..
"Rudy Robles" (Cheech Marin) is a mechanic who works in Los Angeles and does the best that he can for his family.
So when his mother (played by Lupe Ontiveros) asks him to drive to a nearby factory and pick up his cousin "Javier" (Paul Rodriguez) he does what he is told.
Unfortunately for Rudy, when he gets to the factory it is suddenly raided by immigration officials and because he has accidentally left his wallet at home he is deported to Mexico.
So unable to convince the authorities that he is an American citizen and with no money in his possession, Rudy has to somehow manage to make ends meet while at the same time attempt to get back across the border into the United States.
Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was an enjoyable comedy for the most part with good performances by Cheech Marin and Paul Rodriguez.
"Waas Sappening?.
Born In East LA is a strong solo effort from Cheech Marin to break out on his own and one of my favorite comedies from the 80's.
This was written, directed and stars Cheech Marin and he did a great job making this film and as the leading man.
In an attempt to pick up his cousin(who is in the country illegally) he ends up getting deported to Mexico and this is his story about trying to make it back home.
The DVD box describes this film as "a comedy bordering on insanity", which I find to be pretty accurate.
Born In East LA is hilarious and while there is no shortage of outrageous material, the film is cohesive and has a lot of solid performances.
Cheech especially gives a great showing here and is very likable as our hero Rudy.
The story is pretty straight forward, but flows well and does not come off like a long comedy skit.
30 years later Born In East LA is still funny and relevant in modern times where Trump implements policies of mass deportation..
A relative from Mexico visits his cousins in L.A. but what happens when he is to be picked up at the destination everything goes wrong.
Border crossing are a go at that time and there is plenty of action and amusement with this show, plus the antics are full on from beginning to end.
Cheech is in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time and in the Wrong Movie!.
BORN IN EAST L.A. looks more like a threat to society than a comedy based on a Bruce Springsteen parody.
Cheech Marin goes solo in this unfunny farce as a U.S. citizen who is wrongly deported to Mexico and tries to make it back to his L.A. home.
Cheech tries his best to make it in Hollywood on his own, but without Chong, the hilarity just isn't there, and the movie's message is dismally pointless.
This is the only Cheech movie I've seen so far, and if they're all like this, I don't know what to think.
The movie's basically Cheech losing his wallet and getting deported to Mexico.
It's really not a great movie, but this one earns a few laughs.
If you're in the mood for a light 80s comedy, this one will satisfy your mood if you're desparate, but I would really recommend something like Ruthless People, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, or National Lampoon's Vacation.
Nothing special in this comedy with Cheech being accidentially deported to Mexico with no I.D. or knowledge of Spanish...and he can't convince U.S. officials to let him back into the U.S.This pretty much goes on for an hour and a half, barely earning a laugh..
Occasionally funny but mostly stupid movie, but at least it's better than those Cheech and Chong movies.
Born in East LA fails as a comedy because most of the movie is not funny.
Without is sidekick Chong, Cheech is on his own to draw all the laughs.
Even with an interesting supporting cast, including a picture of Jesus with the opening and closing eyes, the movie fails to capture the "white" audience it needed to be a success.Must have made millions in Mexico, but not on any top ten list in America..
Cheech born for comedy..
Pretty entertaining movie staring Cheech Marin as a Latin guy named Rudy from East LA who mistakenly gets deported to Mexico.
Jan Michael Vincent busts him, Rudy not having his id is thought to be an illegal and is promptly shipped off to Mexico.
Meantime Rudy's cousin or something like that played by Paul Rodriguez ends up at Rudy's house waiting for his arrival.
Rudy ends up meeting Jimmy (stern) down in Mexico and begins to work some low end jobs and things to earn some cash to get back to the US.
This isn't the funniest movie I have ever seen, but its very entertaining.
Cheech is always fun to watch and saves what probably would have been a fairly boring movie.
Richard "Cheech" Marin plays Rudy, An American born Mexican-American who goes to pick his cousin up at work and ends up in an immigration raid.
He doesn't have his licence on him and ends up deported to Mexico.
The rest of the movie is spent showing Rudy tirelessly try to get back across the border and get home.
I thought this movie was just OK, not great, and not horrible.
I especially liked Paul Rodriguez character who mostly spoke Spanish in the movie but still managed to be hysterical for those of us who don't speak Spanish.
Rudy (an excellent and engaging performance by Cheech Marin) gets deported to Mexico after he's mistaken for an illegal immigrant by the authorities.
Rudy has to figure out a way to return to America.Writer/director Marin maintains a likable lighthearted tone throughout, relates the enjoyable story at a snappy pace, offers a flavorsome evocation of the south of the border setting, and provides moments of genuine warmth and compassion amid all the infectious humor.
The able cast helps a lot: Paul Rodriguez really struts his hysterical comedic stuff as Rudy's dim-witted Mexican cousin Javier, Daniel Stern lends sturdy support as slick opportunistic hustler Jimmy, Kamala Lopez adds plenty of charm as the sweet, yet feisty Dolores, Jan-Michael Vincent has a stand-out cameo as ramrod immigration officer McCalister, Tony Plana excels as wormy hoodlum Feo, and the gorgeous Neith Hunter burns up the screen with her memorably sexy turn as foxy French redhead Marcie.