One can’t hear the opening licks to War’s Low Rider without thinking of the classic comedy duo Cheech & Chong, cruising around in their customized 1964 Chevy Impala (dubbed “The Love Machine”) sharing both stoned humor and a comically large joint. It has been decades since the pair graced movie screens and their careers have taken both Tommy Chong and Cheech Marin on unexpected journeys. The new documentary, Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie, is a vibrant, funny, and entertaining look at their careers and hardships since becoming megastars with the release of their classic self-titled 1971 comedy album. 

Directed by David Bushell, this is more than the standard “talking head” documentary. Animation, solo interviews, and a treasure trove of archival footage are creatively blended together and offset by the film’s subjects driving the highways like a couple of old road dogs, in search of “signs” and a guy named Dave (nudge, nudge.) While a good deal of Cheech & Chong’s conversations are a mix of written and improvised banter, some real moments of past pain and rivalry manifest themselves now and again. Seeing the duo today, still scarred from bad business decisions and a wounded friendship, gives Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie its unique edge.

Bushell stated that the film came about after a failed attempt to create a new scripted Cheech & Chong comedy almost 20 years ago. The movie never came to fruition, so the filmmaker concentrated his sights on creating “the definitive retrospective of the lives and careers of this iconic duo.”

The film goes into wide release on Friday April 25 after its cleverly marketed one-day-only showing on 4/20 at 4:20 in limited theaters across the country. I didn’t “partake” in that showing, as the distributor, the wonderfully named Keep Smokin’, gifted me with a private screening. While a theater full of devoted Cheech & Chong disciples (a club of which I am proudly a member) would have been a good time, Bushell’s film has a surprising intimacy that deserves a more focused viewing experience. The film has a light touch, but the seriousness of fame and the ups and downs that come with are explored. Bushell and his subjects easily traverse the highs (both meanings) and lows of one of the most successful comedy teams in history. 

Mexican-American (I know you hear the song!) Richard “Cheech” Marin grew up in Watts. The son of a cop who was an angry and sometimes abusive man, Cheech dabbled in becoming a priest before moving to Canada. Son of a Chinese father and White mother, Tommy Chong grew up near Calgary, Canada. Learning guitar and writing songs, Chong had a career as a successful musician-songwriter for Motown Records. How these two unique personalities met, while on completely different life paths, is one of the most interesting and incredible aspects of their entire career. 

The film’s style is completely in tune to Cheech & Chong’s rhythms. A groovy directorial vibe moves easily from footage of their early lives, to their first performances, and on through their superstardom; opening for arena Rock bands and becoming bona fide movie stars with 1978’s box office smash, Up in Smoke, which made over 100 million worldwide on a budget just shy of 2 million.

The current-day road trip sequences allow for some good humor, surprisingly real talk, and a chance for appearances from people who were important parts of the duo’s lives. Tommy Chong’s wife Shelby (married since 1975), his ex-wife Maxine Sneed (in a humorous but blunt moment), and Lou Adler (the man who made C&C stars) take a turn in the back seat. 

Under the tutelage of Lou Adler, Cheech & Chong developed their act and fine tuned it to comic perfection. They would go from working the club circuit to opening for The Rolling Stones. With Adler, the pair would earn four Gold Records in as many years. Just as all that’s glittering seems to be gold, Adler’s turn gives way to the sad fact that the contract he drew up for the pair saw 90 percent of the profits going to him. It is a striking revelation, as he abruptly says to the camera, “And this is where I get out”, before the film delves into how Adler’s deal hurt Cheech & Chong financially. They had to keep touring and spending time away from their families just to make ends meet. Even though their debut film was one of the biggest hits of its year, Cheech & Chong didn’t see much of a profit. 

While there is a lot of laughter and easy-going fun throughout, Cheech & Chong still suffer from unresolved conflicts. After Adler’s betrayal, Tommy Chong decided he would direct all of their subsequent movies. While the three follow ups to their debut feature (Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie, Cheech & Chong’s Nice Dreams, and Things are Tough All Over) were financial successes, Chong’s desire to be in control caused a crack in the partnership. Subsequent films would suffer due to their ongoing rift. 1983’s Still Smokin’  just broke even while their next film, 1984’s The Corsican Brothers, was a misguided attempt at a PG-rated Cheech & Chong movie; an idea floated by Cheech that Chong never wanted to do. Their partnership would become so unstable (and their box office receipts badly receding) that their next project, 1985’s Get Out of My Room, would be made for the video market. 

As the 80s continued, Cheech and Chong’s fractured relationship would take the pair to new projects, of the solo kind. The film doesn’t dwell on the hardships but refuses to shy away from them. Good and bad decisions, happy and sad personalities; Cheech & Chong have been affected by it all.  

The documentary does a great job at weaving together the footage and interviews and Bushell doesn’t let the troubadour aspect of modern day Cheech & Chong become a gimmick. Where the film stumbles is in its glossing over the later portion of their lives and careers. 

There is only a brief post-credits mention of Tommy Chong’s 9-month incarceration for selling bongs and subsequent FBI raid where agents seized copies of a documentary about his case, a/k/a Tommy Chong. There is no on-camera input from any of his children, including actress Rae Dawn Chong. Cheech’s resurgence as a character actor in hit films such as Ron Shelton’s golf comedy, Tin Cup, his appearances in the films of Robert Rodruigez, and successful 90s television show, Nash Bridges, with his good friend Don Johnson, get no screen time. To hear the duo speak to their post-Cheech & Chong lives would have added another spark to the already entertaining doc. 

Richard “Cheech” Marin and Tommy Chong are now 78 and 86, respectively. Their careers together and separate have been successful and lasting. There were certainly hardships along the way, but both men seem to have come out on the other side of it all. 

Bushell’s film is a fitting look at two talented men and a documentary that works as a comedy and an informative examination of two unique careers. As comedians, marijuana enthusiasts, movie stars, and musicians, Cheech & Chong continue to bring joy to millions.

The doc is great, Its subjects are legends. Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie is a fun ride. Do it up, man!

Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie

Directed by David Bushell

Featuring Richard “Cheech” Marin, Tommy Chong, Lou Adler, Shelby Chong

R, 123 Minutes, Bushell Productions, Keep Smokin’