A Million to Juan

Infobox_Film
name = A Million to Juan


caption = Theatrical poster
producer = Executive Producer: Mark Amin
Gary Binkow
Producers: Barry L. Collier Steven Paul
director = Paul Rodriguez Co-Director: Tony Plana
writer = Screenplay: Robert Grasmere Francisca Matos Story: Mark Twain
starring = Paul Rodriguez Tony Plana Cheech Marin Edward James Olmos Liz Torres Polly Draper
cinematography = Bruce Douglas Johnson
editing = Michael Ripps Jack Tucker
music = Jeffrey Johnson Steven Jae Johnson
distributor = The Samuel Goldwyn Company
released = May 15 1994 (U.S.A.)
runtime = 128 minutes
country = United States
language = English
budget =
imdb_id = 0110518
amg_id = 1:134257

"A Million to Juan" (1994) is a comedy film directed by comedian Paul Rodriguez and co-directed by actor Tony Plana. [ [http://www.tonyplana.com/bio.htm Tony Plana] official website.] The motion picture was executive produced by Mark Amin and Gary Binkow. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110518/ "A Million to Juan"] at the Internet Movie Database.]

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."

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.

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. [ [http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1994/0MLTJ.php The Numbers] box office data.] However, IMDb reports $1,221,832 in box-office receipts.

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

oundtrack

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.

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.

ee also

* "The Million Pound Note," (1953) film starring Gregory Peck.

References

Notes

External links

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