La Mission
Screen Media Films (2009)
Drama
In Collection
#7410
0*
Seen ItYes
IMDB   7.1
1 hr 57 mins USA / English
DVD  Region 1   R
Benjamin Bratt Che Rivera
Jeremy Ray Valdez Jesse
Max Rosenak Jordan
Patrick Shining Elk Gary
Big Spence Shackled Patient
Rubén González Benny
Tina Huang Dr. Chang
Melvina Jones Regina
Rene Quinones Esteban
Anthony Santana Young Jessie
Erika Alexander Lena
Christopher Borgzinner Nacho
Jesse Borrego Rene
Edwin Brown Virgil
Cesar Gomez Gummy Bear
Director
Peter Bratt
Producer Debbie Brubaker
Alpita Patel
Writer Peter Bratt

For this affecting labor of love, Peter Bratt focuses on a Latino widower with rigid views on masculinity. A bus driver covered in tattoos, Che Rivera (the filmmaker's brother, Benjamin Bratt) lives in San Francisco's Mission District with his son, Jes (Jeremy Ray Valdez). A recovering alcoholic who customizes low-riders on the side, Che takes pride in the high school senior's academic achievements, but he doesn't take kindly to homosexuals--and has no clue about Jes's secret life until he finds the photographic evidence. As expected, he gets upset, but Jes's insulting defense only makes matters worse and leads Che to kick him out. While Jes stays with relatives until things cool down, Che tries to resist the bottle, but word travels fast in a close-knit community, and the personal becomes political when bullies hassle the Riveras, leaving Che to consider revenge. Lena (the radiant Erika Alexander), a concerned neighbor who works at a women's shelter, tries to help father and son mend fences, but there's only so much she can do. She's also interested in Che, and he in her, but their personalities present a more significant obstacle than race or culture. In less adept hands, La Mission could've become a preachy soap opera, but despite a few creaky plot mechanics, Bratt's attention to detail ensures that his characters register more as sympathetic individuals than stereotypes. He's aided in his efforts by strong performances, flavorful old-school funk, and camera work that celebrates the beauty of a rapidly gentrifying region.
Edition Details
No. of Disks/Tapes 1