A Day Without a Mexican

2004
R
1h 40m

IMDb RATING

4.8/10

3.3K

YOUR RATING

When a mysterious fog surrounds the boundaries of California, there is a communication breakdown and all the Mexicans disappear, affecting the economy and the state stops working missing the Mexican workers and dwellers.

Play trailer1:35

14 Videos

9 Photos

Comedy Drama Fantasy Mystery

When a mysterious fog surrounds the boundaries of California, there is a communication breakdown and all the Mexicans disappear, affecting the economy and the state stops working missing the... Read allWhen a mysterious fog surrounds the boundaries of California, there is a communication breakdown and all the Mexicans disappear, affecting the economy and the state stops working missing the Mexican workers and dwellers.When a mysterious fog surrounds the boundaries of California, there is a communication breakdown and all the Mexicans disappear, affecting the economy and the state stops working missing the Mexican workers and dwellers.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

4.8/10

3.3K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 3 wins & 2 nominations total

User reviews93

Featured review

Watch this, only if there's nothing else to do.

I just finished watching A Day Without a Mexican, so my comments are fresh.

As some other reviewers have mentioned, this film had the potential to be much more in terms of social commentary. The fact that it went in a comedic direction isn't bad in itself, it's just the execution of everything seemed so flawed.

There were chances to make statements, and to be relevant; one can still do that while still being funny. It's just -- I never laughed during the entire film, and I never felt as if any point was driven home, so it failed both goals.

I won't call this a bad film, but it's certainly not worth the $4 rental fee. If it shows up on TV for free, go ahead and watch it, otherwise find something else to spend your money on. Stereotypes can be used to convey a serious message (see Hollywood Shuffle), however I'm not sure what this film's message really was. Was it that Mexicans are a cheap economic revenue? That they're our maids, and token love interests?

As for bad acting, I can get over that. The problem is with the script. The initial idea sounds great, but the initial idea needs followed up with original and clever thought; that's where this film went downhill quickly.

hqahtani
Dec 14, 2004
Permalink

Videos14

Trailer 1:35

Trailer

Clip 5:35

A Day Without A Mexican Scene: Scene 3

Clip 5:35

A Day Without A Mexican Scene: Scene 3

Clip 1:43

A Day Without A Mexican Scene: Scene 1

Clip 1:22

A Day Without A Mexican Scene: Scene 9

Clip 0:26

A Day Without A Mexican Scene: Scene 12

Clip 0:17

A Day Without A Mexican Scene: Scene 11

Photos8

Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
The scenes on the empty San Diego streets were shot on 1 January, when there are few people about, because the production was unable to pay for closing them.

Goofs
The scenes in Stockton, California show orange groves in the background. There are no orange groves in Stockton.

Quotes
Lila Rodriguez: In the face of so many emergency calls reporting missing persons in the state of California, every explanation needs to be considered, from
[an unmanned tractor comes into frame in the background, heading towards Lila]

Crazy credits
Disclaimer: "No Mexicans were harmed in the making of this film".

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Mission Impossible III/Hoot/Down in the Valley/An American Haunting/Killer Diller/The Proposition (2006)

Soundtracks
A Day Without a Mexican
Written by Piro, Mongus, Avi and Sergio Arau (as S. Arau)
Performed by Ritmo Peligroso
Imaginary Friend Publishing, Administered by Universal Publishing Latino