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Up in Smoke (1978)

A review by Damian Cannon.
Copyright © Movie Reviews UK 1997
The very first Cheech and Chong movie, Up in Smoke is an inconsequential but reasonably entertaining meander with the drug-addled duo. Man Stoner (Tommy Chong) and Pedro De Pacas (Cheech Marin) are birds of a feather who'd no doubt be great buddies if they ever met. Such an opportunity arises when Man is thrown out by his uptight parents (Strother Martin and Edie Adams) for opting out of the clean-living, middle-class lifestyle expected of him. After enduring a frozen night shivering on the beach, Man manages to flag down Pedro as he cruises his chick-mobile down the Californian highway. With their wrecked clothes and aimless attitudes, mutual recognition is instant. No wonder the conversation soon turns to joints.

The force which motivates the duo (if anything so dynamic can be applied to them) is the desire to consume illicit substances. Hence, running out of grass is a crisis of huge proportions, which requires an extended, cross-town search for fresh supplies. Unfortunately the situation is so dire that they are forced to turn to Strawberry (Tom Skerritt), Pedro's Vietnam scarred relative. He scores them some lids but at what a cost - the pair end up being deported to Mexico by mistake (though at least it's not a drug bust). Naturally wanting to come home, their paths cross with Sgt.Stedenko (Stacy Keach), from the DEA, and a not entirely legitimate van (although at least it's ecologically sound).

Built upon a single idea, Up in Smoke succeeds by mixing well-worn gags together and stumbling to a halt before it all becomes too tiresome. While drugs, and their varying effects upon the hazy pair, are central, a number of variations upon these theme are explored. Pedro and Man encounter the usual supply problems (which leads to some inventive combinations), but they also run through the gamut of bizarre extremes in search of a laugh (the contrast between absurdly distended spliffs and their microscopic brethren, the mind-blowing results of super-strength hash and the let-down of weak grass, etc). In addition, the duo might be dopy but they're nothing when compared with the inept cops who are (sort of) in hot pursuit (especially when the officers are high themselves).

Beyond such "hilarity", Up in Smoke makes scant effort on any other front. Cheech and Chong are barely required to act since all they have to do is look stoned, an easy piece of characterisation. The surprise is that they remain natural and easy-going, which ensures a pleasurable viewing experience. The two play off well against each other, bolstering even the most hackneyed scene with a hint of freshness. None of the other roles have, or are given, much importance - though the Ajax Lady (June Fairchild) is pretty funny in a squirmy way.

Ultimately, Up in Smoke is nothing special, lacking a sharp edge or side-splitting humour. It's merely a cheerful and easy-to-watch comedy, fun if you like watching dope-heads make fools of themselves (or perhaps if you're also stoned). Expect nothing more than predictability and the trip will be a happy one.

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