La Mission

Caught this flick with a choice of almost any seat. Weird because the theater is known for showing real life, low budget, "art" and eclectic films so I expected it to be well attended at the 2:10 showing. Someone judged that the religious elements in the movie were a distraction. I don't get the same read. They seemed to fit in culturally quite well. In fact I judge there was an intent to show a paradox between passion for worship / faith reverence and passionate violence. The central theme is the breakdown between single parent father and gay son. It left room for some play around other compelling life issues. If you are shy about the subject of gay men, go see Oceans. Two hours is too long for this movie (requisite love scene was useless), but the length did not detract from the story. The ending ... go see the movie.

My family was from the Mission District when it was primarily an Irish neighborhood. Its main claim to fame was it has the nicest weather in San Francisco. I grew up during the transition from Irish to Hispanic, and had a front row seat on the ethnic diversity that took root during the late 1940's/early 1950's. While much has changed since then much has remained the same. Still has great weather and a beautiful park in its midst, right next to Mission High School and Mission Delores. The film perfectly captures the Mission District of today with its hugely Hispanic influence. It is a refreshing change from the yuppie San Francisco we usually see in movies with an emphasis on the Marina, Union Square, and Pacific Heights. The Mission is still where the working class live as it was back when I was growing up. This is a movie about working class values, family values, and machismo, with a San Francisco backdrop. The cinematography is first class with good use of closeups of people, cars, and interesting houses. The movie of course is mainly about the class of Hispanic male culture versus the gay experience in San Francisco, and it pulls that off by presenting a sympathetic view of each culture. That is not easy to do. I enjoyed this movie not so much because it was so well made but because there are so few movies that even attempt to capture a human sized story with a story about a working class neighborhood in a world famous city. This movie was different in a very good way. It was also nice to see a movie about Hispanics not centered either in L.A. or New York. The cast was uniformly excellent. There wasn't a false note in this movie. Kudo's to the Bratt brothers for having the tenacity to make this movie.

"La Mission" is a project of love about the barrio neighborhood the Bratt brothers grew up in. Writer/Director Peter Bratt takes time and care to set up a strong sense of cultural pride with Aztec dancers, Catholic rituals, "slow and low" cruising in shiny low riders through the family oriented Mission District of San Francisco.

Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt) an ex-con and recovering alcoholic, has worked hard to earn the respect of his community by going straight and being a good father to his college bound son (Jeremy Ray Valdez.) Benjamin Bratt portrays Che as the embodiment of Mexican machismo. The director presents him as a sympathetic character who was brought up to use his fists to survive on the hard streets. Che finds strength for his quest for redemption in his culture and religion. But when he discovers that his beloved son is gay, that homophobic culture drives his negative response.

Enhancing the theme is a multi-racial relationship with Che's black, culturally diverse, social-worker neighbor Lena (Erika Alexander.) Lena sees through Che's violent, macho exterior. Experience has taught her that this kind of man is incapable of changing, but she can't help but be moved by the wounded boy inside.

There is an odd visual metaphor which I believe is meant to show the contrast between past and present Chicano culture: colorful Aztec dancers perform at the shine of a murdered teen with a sign, "No more violence." I found it odd because the Aztec's practiced human sacrifice. Whether intentional or not, the Aztec dancers are a good metaphor for the theme: We need to keep what is healthy from our culture or religion and let go of what is destructive.

"La Mission" isn't perfect. A few scenes were just left hanging - especially in the romantic subplot. I didn't feel the chemistry between Che and Lena. But Benjamin Bratt delivers one of his strongest performances. The brothers have given us an authentic, loving depiction of the culture in the Mission barrio with an important theme for our times.

Movie Blessings! Jana Segal,Reel Inspiration

It was fun to see a movie set in San Francisco with places I've been to in the background. Most of the time I forgot I was watching actors in a movie. When that happens I know I'm watching a good show with solid acting and direction. I felt anxiety, fear, and foreboding during much of the movie and that was authentic too. I've been in the Mission lots of times but I'm not Hispanic, didn't grow up there, and usually feel some degree of anxiety and sense of danger when I am there.

The thunder during Che's cathartic moment seemed a bit phony since that only happens once in a great while in San Francisco and all of the Bay Area.

I was wondering how Che was going to fuel his Biodiesel '64 Chevy during the trip to LA. Maybe it could run on regular diesel fuel?

I saw it on DVD and was disappointed that the only special feature was the music soundtrack. I would love to see interviews and some behind the scenes footage.

This is a fantastic film.

Benjamin Bratt gives his heart and soul in this performance as Che Riveria and Erika Alexander is stunning as Lena.

This film is rich with the colors, energy and music of the Mission district of San Francisco.

Writer/director Peter Bratt lets us into the world of a man defined by his culture. A culture that gives him a second chance at life and rewards masculinity and strength will also prove to be his downfall.

This father/son story is heartfelt. Che Riveria is a tough man but will need to dig deep to find the courage needed to prove he is worthy in the eyes of his son.