La Mission (2009)

A single-parent ex-con in a tough, minority neighborhood finds his personal values challenged when he discovers his son is gay.

Director:

Peter Bratt

Writer:

Peter Bratt

Stars:

Benjamin Bratt, Alex Hernandez, Christopher Borgzinner

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Benjamin Bratt	...	Che Rivera
Alex Hernandez	...	Smoke
Christopher Borgzinner	...	Nacho (as Chris Borgzinner)
Jeremy Ray Valdez	...	Jes Rivera
Cesar Gomez	...	Gummy Bear
Neo Veavea	...	Kenny
Cathleen Riddley	...	Shell
Martin Cantu	...	Store Owner
Xochiti Guzman	...	Fine Mission Mamacita
Marco Serralta	...	Chuy (as Marcos Serralta)
Talisa Soto	...	Ana (as Talisa Soto Bratt)
Jesse Borrego	...	Rene
Max Rosenak	...	Jordan
Ramon Ovando	...	Little Man
Tatiana Maricely	...	Nadine (as Tatiana Rivas)

Storyline

Growing up in the Mission district of San Francisco, Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt) has always had to be tough to survive. He's a powerful man respected throughout the Mission barrio for his masculinity and his strength, as well as for his hobby building beautiful lowrider cars. A reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic, Che has worked hard to redeem his life and do right by his pride and joy: his only son, Jes, whom he has raised on his own after the death of his wife. Che's path to redemption is tested, however, when he discovers Jes is gay. To survive his neighborhood, Che has always lived with his fists. To survive as a complete man, he'll have to embrace a side of himself he's never shown.

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Plot Keywords:

ex convict | candle | gay | recovering alcoholic | lowrider | 

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Taglines:

...from the thorn emerges the flower

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some violence and sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish French

Release Date:

19 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mission Street Rhapsody

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$49,046, 11 April 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,040,000, 1 August 2010

Company Credits

Production Co:

5 Stick Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Talisa Soto who plays Ana and Benjamin Bratt who plays Che are married in real life. They met on the set of Blood In Blood where Rene played by Jesse Borrego stars alongside Benjamin Bratt.

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Goofs

In several of the "Cruising" scenes, the Thermador Cooler on Che's vintage car disappear and reappear several times throughout the scenes. When they show close-ups of the passenger side window, the Thermador Cooler (the tube device on top of the passenger side door) is gone, while in most of the long shots, it is back. In one close-up you can actually see the wear marks of where the cooler sits on top of the door frame where they took it off for the close up.

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Quotes

Che Rivera: You know what you are?
Lena: I do, actually, but if I ever need a second opinion, I'll be sure to ask.

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Connections

References The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

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Soundtracks

Me Rompiste El Corazon
performed by Rene Peña Govea
Music courtesy of Round World Music

User Reviews

One of the best

This movie is smart, passionate, down to earth, poignant, heartbreaking and heartwarming. Superb acting, scenery, setting and supporting cast.

Benjamin Bratt and Erika Alexander are inspired in starring roles. But the supporting cast is rich with excellent actors. The resultant effect is a true ensemble feeling. Intertwined with the main story - about a man and his high school son who is emerging as a gay man - are many subplots that help paint a richer picture of the barrio and the culture:

There are the low rider cars - colorful and flamboyant. And there is the life of the neighborhood, hanging on the stoops, getting along with the people next door.

This is a must see.