Customer Reviews

La Mission

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Writer/director Peter Bratt had the choice in LA MISSION to make a film about the Hispanic culture in San Francisco's Mission district to create a predictable imitation of life or a sensitive study of a culture with all of its beauty and with all of its problems: gratefully he took the latter. This is a film bursting with fantastic color from the inimitable clash of pigments used for the interiors of the homes of this culture to the fantasyland carefully restored old cars painted with religious and emotional scenes - the proud mark of the Low Riders - and the street celebrations full of lust and glamour and the intoxicating foods and dance. But it is also an internal film dealing with such realities as alcoholism, prison time, single parenting problems, pride in a child's educational and athletic achievements - and the delicate issue of responding to the presence of same sex relationships. It is a banquet of delights and problems that Bratt handles magnificently well.

Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt in a role that defines his fine acting abilities) has served time in prison, is an Alcoholics Anonymous member, and since his wife's death early in their marriage is the loving father of his well-educated and well-loved son Jesse (Jeremy Ray Valdez, in a role that should mark him for an important career). Che works hard as a bus driver, spends his free time restoring old cars to ride every Friday evening - 'slow, low riding through the streets of San Francisco's Mission neighborhood'. His family includes Rene (Jesse Borrego) and Ana (Talisa Soto) who share as much pride in Jess as Che: their only son was born with a cardiac defect that has made them more sensitive to the differences in children. Che has only one problem: Jesse is gay and has a boyfriend Jordan (Max Rosenak) and the discovery of Jesse secret life destroys Che image of his family and of himself. A neighbor Lena (Erika Alexander) befriends Jesse and eventually Che and Lena are draw together over a tragedy that occurs: Jesse is shot by a homophobic fellow student, forcing Che to face his own demons and begin to understand his son more fully. The excellent way in which Bratt handles these major crossroad confrontations is written and directed and acted with such sensitivity - nothing occurs as expected and everyone maintains dignity - a very difficult range of emotions to handle.

The entire cast is excellent, the dialogue is spicy, the characters are well conceived, the particular gifts of Erika Alexander as a woman with a history of abuse who is devoting her life to working in a women's shelter who allows her physical needs to be met while maintaining her ownership of a wise woman of experience are extremely well utilized, and this film offers a platform deserving of the talent of Benjamin Bratt and Jeremy Ray Valdez. It is a tough story told with great sensitivity and truth. Hiro Narita's cinematography and Mark Kilian's musical score round out this very fine achievement in cinematic art. Grady Harp, August 10

La Mission, set in the streets of San Francisco's Mission District, is easily the most powerful Latin-interest film released in years. Peruvian leading man Benjamin Bratt's brother Peter Bratt directed the film, which focuses on the relationship between a macho bus driver and his son.

Benjamin Bratt is nothing short of brilliant as the tatted-up Che Rivera, a recovering alcoholic with a passion for lowriders, and pride for the academic achievements of his son Jesse. Bratt channels his inner pachuco with genuine swag, in a role destined for him to play.

Che is old-school Chicano to the bone, which makes for tremendous conflict when he discovers his son's sexual orientation. Rivera's son Jesse is played by Jeremy Ray Valdez, a young Latino with serious acting chops, and an infectious smile. Valdez and Bratt share an incredible on-screen chemistry as father and son, and Rivera's intolerance is something many Hispanic viewers will recognize. The stigma attached to homosexuality amongst old-school (and largely Roman-Catholic) Latinos is something almost never confronted in film.

For those of you already saying, "I'm not going to watch this," calm down. This isn't a "gay" movie, but it does address issues that Latinos tend to sweep under the rug. Jesse's orientation serves as a means of revealing who his father Che really is, and uncovering the pain and rage that needed to be healed in the ex-convict. Helping Che battle his inner demons is Lena, the earthy and extremely sexy neighbor who works for a woman's shelter. Played by beautiful morena Erika Alexander (of Living Single fame), Lena attempts to heal the rift between father and son, while dealing with her own fears of Che. Before the film is over, expect plenty of love, anger, and loss.

The rest of the supporting cast also make for an interesting movie. Jesse Borrego, best remembered as the artist Cruz from Bound by Honor, is reunited on-screen with his compadre Benjamin. Bratt's wife Talisa Soto, playing the gorgeous wife to Borrego's character, also rounds out the cast of well-known Latino actors. One of my favorite inclusions to the cast was talented voice actor Kevin Michael Richardson, who adds plenty of great comic relief to keep the film light.

Perhaps the best aspect of this film is that it's genuine. I've seen more than a few movies that try to work in "Latino" themes, only to come off as gimmicky. LA Mission is a movie with alma, real soul. From the clothing and music to the lowriders and pachuco swagger, La Mission gets it right. If you're a car enthusiast, the ranflas in this movie are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. I did think that the references to running a lowrider on biodiesel were tacky and out of place, but props to the film being shot on an environmentally-friendly movie set (one of the only ones in the Bay Area).

The verdict? Hit up your local Redbox tonight and give this one a rent, or better yet buy the DVD online. This is easily the best performance of Bratt's career, in an emotional flick that keeps it real with Latin audiences.

For anyone who loves the real San Francisco, who has a son that's drifting away to a place you dont understand, or has a father who's not there when you want to come home, or who has struggled with demons, or loves old cars, graffiti and murals, who's looking for redemption, this a movie that you'll keep. Peter Bratt's best directing, Benjamin Bratt's best performance.

I was invited to a screening of this film a few months ago and really didn't know what to expect. I've been a fan of Benjamin Bratt for some time and thought he deserved an Oscar for his performance in La Mission. It's nice to watch a film that doesn't depend on CGI and special effects to tell a powerful and moving story about how life really is for so many people. Kudos to Erika Alexander for her fine acting in this film, too!

I didn't get to see La Mission in theaters, to my knowledge; it did not come to Xicago. Speaking from a person who grew up, and as an adult who still lives, in the barrio, I can truly identify with this movie. La Mission shows us the power of indigenous traditions. I cried more than once during the movie- I had to pause a few times because it was so deep. As a community we have a great deal to learn from the solutions that can be brought upon if we open our hearts to the healing of our indigenous ancestry. Thank you for creating this movie. Ome Teotl

another good movie with benjamin bratt playing a cholo. from the time i saw him in "blood in, blood out" i was a fan of his. it is great to see him playing a hard core role that makes no apologies. i would watch this movie again and again for years to come. i did lend my copy to a friend, and hope he is planning on returning it...if not, i will purchase another copy for myself and not let it from my collection!

I find this film to be fine from several viewpoints: cinematography, writing, cultural analysis, and, of course, acting. My wife and I live in the Mission, not far from where the Riveras "lived" in the film. The two negative reviews on this film were written by persons who obviously do not live in the Mission. My wife is Latina, and I have organized in the Latino community since the 60's.

Who was this film written for? It was primarily written for Latino people who are still struggling with the meaning of Machismo, intimacy, and same sex love. These are still profound issues for the Latino communities, believe it or not! Not four weeks ago four people were shot near our home in gang violence. Two of them were precisely around this issue. Thus the Anglos who feel this move is cliche'ed or overstated have spent little ore no time in the Mission.

This movie is about a community coming to terms with itself, with change, and with the deeper meaning of Love. Che Rivera is a living character but he is also a symbol for the whole community. The fact that he, himself, falls in love with a Black sister in the film emphasizes the attempt to deal with the wholeness and integrity of the change that the movie addresses. The beauty of the movie preserving Lena's freedom to choose (by not tying up her choice in the last scenes) when Che comes to her finally feeling his own pain and understanding his violence is exquisite and beautifully done.

This is a fine movie. It is one of the best films about Latino culture I have seen. We are privileged to have it to enjoy again and again.

"La Mission" refers to the Mission District of San Francisco, home to Che (Benjamin Bratt) and his 17 year old son Jesse (Jeremy Ray Valdez). Che is a macho, reformed ex-convict and recovered alcoholic who raised Jesse alone, after the death of his mother when he was very young. He works as a city bus driver, and lives for his hobby of restoring old car, turning them into "low riders" he takes cruising with his friends on weekend nights.

Jesse is a good boy, and a good student, planning to attend UCLA in the fall. He is also gay, a secret he has kept from his father and extended family, and has been dating a young man from a wealthy family. When Che finds photos of the two of them together, Jesse is initially thrown out of the house, and goes to live with his uncle, who tries to get the stubborn Che to reconcile with him. Che goes on a self-destructive binge, perhaps believing God is punishing him for his earlier misdeeds. Ultimately, fate forces Che to examine his reactions and attitudes, remembering that family and his son were once so important to him.

An emotionally devastating film, "La Mission" paints a realistic portrait of the knee-jerk reactions of many lower-class Latino men to homosexuality, as well as the clash between traditional values and modern realizations. The film also features a unique musical score, ranging from Aztec folk music to some great, mellow classic R&B. The acting is first rate, especially Bratt, young Valdez, and Erika Alexander as Lena, Che's African-American neighbor who tries to make him realize what he is risking to lose. Absolutely a "don't miss" film, with 5 low-rider stars out of 5.

I loved this movie, Benjamin play the hell out of Che. For me, I think it is his best roll. I think the chemistry between his character and Erika Alexander Lena, was awesome. The end I had to watch a few times when Che went to.Lena's place after he fell off the wagon and realized he needs to repair his relationship with his son Jesse. After watching it a few times, I realized Lena did let Che inside her apartment and he slept on her sofa. Plus it was hard to know all the characters becuse their names was notr mentioned in the com but I loved the movie and it just made my top ten. Would love to see a sequel and I tip my hat to Peter Bratt and the guy who played Jesse and Rene, Benny , Dee, Gummi and Smoke, & Gary, just everyone, good job

"La Mission" is a superb small film that draws the audience into the characters and situation. Benjamin Bratt is the film's star. He turns in an excellent performance as the macho father who has a very difficult time after learning his son is gay. Bratt does an excellent job of teetering between extremes. On one hand, he is a loving father; on the other, he is a low rider filled with pride and bravado. Thrown in to the mix is his struggle with alcoholism and his romantic reawakening with his neighbor Lena. It is a replete performance, well worth the admission price. As Lena, Erika Alexander turns in an incredibly powerful performace. We see her as a recovering victim, probably of domestic violence, but also as a strong woman who balances her ideals with compassion. Jeremy Ray Valdez plays Che's son Jes. With his mother deceased and his father who spent time in prison, he has found his way in the world, often with the help of his uncle and aunt. He does a good job showing an intelligent young man who doesn't quite fit into his own culture. His love interest is Jordan, played by Max Rosenack who does a nice job as the caring young man who sticks by Jes' side through thick and thin. Talisa Soto also turns in a caring supporting performance as Jes' aunt Ana. "La Mission" is a strong film, probably not perfect, but well worth seeing. While I didn't particularly understand the ending, the film is impressive. Enjoy!