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Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie: Revisiting a Comedy Rift
The famed comedy duo Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong are back in the spotlight, but not without revisiting old wounds. Their new documentary film, “Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie,” delves into the discord that precipitated their split in 1985, giving fans a glimpse into the tensions that shaped their history.
Recriminations Over Directorial Credit
In a contemporary scene featured in the movie, the pair discussed Chong’s role as director in four of their collaborative films. Chong, 86, reportedly told Marin, 78, that he “never earned” the directorial title, according to People.
“You can’t say, ‘Because I was there with the other that directed, I should be a director,’” Chong stated to Marin during the conversation in a car.
Marin then inquired, “Did I direct as much as you did in the movie?”
“No. No, never,” Chong responded.
“See, that’s a lie,” Marin retorted with a laugh.
When Chong challenged Marin’s assertion, Marin elaborated, “Of course, it’s a lie. I directed just as much as you did in the movie. You know, when we had to… This isn’t really worth going into.”
Following this exchange, an awkward silence filled the vehicle.
Egos and Talent Disparities
Earlier in the documentary, Marin confessed that Chong’s ego was “always quite large,” asserting it was “out of proportion to his actual talent.”
Conversely, Chong declared in his own confessional that he considered himself “the star of all the movies” he made with Marin.
Historical Tensions Exposed
An archival clip featured in the documentary revealed further strains in their relationship.
An interviewer posed the question, “Did you ever get on one another’s nerves to the point that you get mad and don’t speak for a while?”
“Not Cheech & Chong,” Marin initially replied.
However, Chong, seated next to Marin, subtly contradicted him by nodding affirmatively.
The Rise and Fall of Stoner Icons
The comedy duo’s initial foray into film, “Up in Smoke” (1978), was inspired by their popular stage act characters, Pedro (Cheech) and Man (Chong). The movie cemented their reputations as stoner icons.
- They released several more films.
- Tension ultimately led to their breakup as a comedy team.
- They have reunited intermittently since their split.
Reconciliation and Future Prospects
In 2017, Marin indicated that he and Chong had mended their relationship. “When we first got back together, there was still a lot of animosity, and it persisted for a while. But eventually it kind of waned,” Marin commented. “I think when health issues come into play, you do another assessment. He was sick for a while. He’s fine now. But it took awhile to get there.”
Will There Be Another Cheech and Chong Film?
When asked about the possibility of another collaborative film, Marin stated, “I don’t think so, no. There’s too many blocks to that. We’re on the road all the time, playing casinos. We have been for eight years.”
“Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie” is currently showing in select cinemas, offering a captivating exploration of the duo’s complex relationship and enduring legacy in comedy.