by Rosa Parra

My first memory of the duo actually came during their “separation hiatus.” I remember watching Cheech Marin in “Born in East L.A.” and as a regular on “The Golden Palace,” which is a spin-off of “The Golden Girls.” He was one of the first Mexican American actors to have a significant impact on me. Later, I learned about Cheech and Chong, and my impression of them was that they were a comedy duo that was always stoned. Until then, I was unaware of their journeys and lives before fame. We’re talking about Grammy-winning comedians, so it’s time they received the respect they deserve.

“Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie” is a documentary directed by David L. Bushell and it stars Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong and Lou Adler. It’s a documentary about the uprise of the iconic comedy duo of Cheech and Chong with some slight help from Lou Adler who helped them gain notoriety. The film chronicles their individual lives from childhood all the way up to the moment they met. All while driving through the desert (in present time) looking for “the joint” their fitting destination.

Cheech Marin is a Chicano who was born in Watts and later moved to the San Fernando Valley. Growing up, he faced a lot of racism, and his way of coping was to respond with humor and jokes. One interesting anecdote I learned in the film is the origin of his nickname. “Cheech” is a childhood nickname; his actual name is Richard Marin. His family called him “Cheech” as a short form of “chicharrón,” which is fried pork skin— a delicious snack. He mentioned that as a baby, his family would say he looked like chicharrón, and the nickname stuck with him.

I had no idea that Tommy Chong was 1) Canadian, 2) of Chinese descent, and 3) a songwriter. It surprised me to learn that he wrote songs for The Supremes! The story of how he and the band met was also unexpected, but it felt like it was meant to be.

The story of how Cheech and Chong became a duo is quite fascinating, as is the origin of their iconic stoner characters. Both were activists, and their characters represented rebels who challenged authority and questioned societal norms. I was surprised to learn that these characters were somewhat influenced by their own lives. They both used recreational marijuana, which they claimed served spiritual and existential purposes.

I was also impressed by their transparency regarding their personal lives; for instance, Tommy had two families at the same time, and both families were aware of each other. The documentary also highlights the challenges they faced as a duo. It nearly concludes with them reflecting on their separation and individual projects, showcasing how two people can experience the same circumstances yet interpret them entirely differently. I appreciated their decision to explore that period in their lives.

Overall, “Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie” is an insightful documentary about one of the most iconic comedy duos of recent times. For those who didn’t grow up during their prime, this film is a must-see. For those who did, it offers a delightful walk down memory lane. Just like their legendary characters, this documentary is funny, memorable, wildly entertaining, and truly a trip.

The documentary is currently on VOD.

Rating: 8 out of 10.