A Million to Juan
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| A Million to Juan | |
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 Theatrical poster |
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| Directed by | Paul Rodriguez Co-Director: Tony Plana |
| Produced by | Executive Producer: Mark Amin Gary Binkow Producers: Barry L. Collier Steven Paul |
| Written by | Screenplay: Robert Grasmere Francisca Matos Story: Mark Twain |
| Starring | Paul Rodriguez Tony Plana Cheech Marin Edward James Olmos Liz Torres Polly Draper |
| Music by | Jeffrey Johnson Steven Jae Johnson |
| Cinematography | Bruce Douglas Johnson |
| Editing by | Michael Ripps Jack Tucker |
| Distributed by | The Samuel Goldwyn Company |
| Release date(s) | May 15, 1994 (U.S.A.) |
| Running time | 128 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
A Million to Juan (1994) is a comedy film directed by comedian Paul Rodriguez and co-directed by actor Tony Plana.[1] The motion picture was executive produced by Mark Amin and Gary Binkow.[2]
The romantic comedy is Paul Rodiguez's debut as a director.
The story is a modern spin on Mark Twain's story The Million-Pound Bank Note.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Juan Lopez (Paul Rodriguez) is a widower with a young son, and who was born in California but was taken back to Mexico by his mother when he was very young.
Yet, he has no documentation to attest to his U.S. citizenship and lives as an undocumented worker in Los Angeles selling oranges near the freeway. He lives with two roommates and tries to make ends meet so he can take care of his little son. He is stressed as he battles landlords and immigration.
A stranger (Edward James Olmos) in a fancy limousine hands over $1,000,000 dollar check to Juan, but there is a catch! He must give the money back, all of it, in one month.
Juan is suspicious and takes the check to his immigration worker (Polly Draper) who encourages him to follow the directions given him.
At first he uses the check to get credit extended at posh clothing stores, a car dealership, and more. He also meets a woman in a dead-end relationship with a bossy businessman.
Then the fun begins for good-natured Juan Lopez, who has to avoid temptations and the greedy people that suddenly pop-up in his life.
Juan comes to realize that the true meaning of life is love, family, and happiness, and that money isn't the answer.
[edit] Distribution
The producers used the following tagline to market the film:
- Money can't buy everything. Yeah, right.
The film opened on May 15, 1994 in the United States on a limited release.
After one week the film went straight to video. Box-office sales the first and only week in circulation were $381,457 in 181 theatres.[3] However, IMDb reports $1,221,832 in box-office receipts.
[edit] Cast
- Paul Rodriguez as Juan Lopez
- Tony Plana as Jorge
- Bert Rosario as Alvaro
- Polly Draper as Olivia Smith
- Larry Linville as Richard Dickerson
- David Rasche as Jeff
- Edward James Olmos as The Angel
- Pepe Serna as Mr. Ortiz
- Gerardo Mejía as Flaco
- Liz Torres as Mrs. Delgado
- Paul Williams as Jenkins
- Cheech Marin as Shell Shock
- Rubén Blades as Bartender
- Jean Kasem as Party Guest
[edit] Soundtrack
A Latino-themed original soundtrack was released on June 14, 1994 on the RMM Records & Video label, an independent Latin music record company based in New York City. The CD contained fourteen tracks. Performers include: Celia Cruz, Marc Anthony, Aramis Camilo, Marcos Loya, Carla De Leon, John Pena, and others.
[edit] Notable quotes
- Juan Lopez: All the American citizens I know are illegal.
- Jorge: What is it that every Chicano family needs and very few have? Juan Lopez: Birth control.
[edit] See also
- The Million Pound Note, (1953) film starring Gregory Peck.
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
- ^ Tony Plana official website.
- ^ A Million to Juan at the Internet Movie Database.
- ^ The Numbers box office data.
[edit] External links
- A Million to Juan at the Internet Movie Database
- A Million to Juan at Allmovie
- A Million to Juan at Rotten Tomatoes
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