La Mission, is a drama starring Benjamin Bratt as Che Rivera. Che is a recovering alcoholic, and ex-convict that lives and breathes for his son Jess. Jess is a college bound honor student with a secret. They live in the Mission District of San Francisco. The Mission District is under going Gentrification and a hipster neighbor Lena is breathing new life to Che.Che is respected by the homies in his neighborhood. Che is a widower that drives a city bus to provide for Jess. In his spare time Che restores junk cars to classic Lowriders and hangs with his friends. All of whom are in a car club (Mission Boyz). Every week the Mission Boyz go cruising with their friends and loved ones. However, Che has noticed Jess has become distant.
One night after cruising the boulevard Che arrives home and discovers Jess was drinking and passed out. As he scans Jess’s room he discovers Polaroids of Jess and his boyfriend at a club. Eventually Che’s confronts Jess, and he confesses. He is Gay.Jess the all knowing teenager then questions his fathers sexual practices in jail. This infuriates Che so he kick Jess out. The fight ends up on the street, causing a huge commotion in the neighborhood. The Mission Boyz rush to break up the fight between father and son. Che then outs his son to the whole neighborhood. It was clear Jess was not welcome. He decides to moves-in with his godparents Rene and Ana.
Che ponders if this a punishment from God? Why wasn’t Jess normal? Rene reminds Che of what his mother always said “De la espina y el dolor nace la flor”(From the thorn emerges the flower.) However, Che was not convinced.He missed his son but could not accept his sexual orientation.
Che’s conversion comes when Jess is shot as a result of a hate crime. This brings Lena and Che together and although Jess recovers, Che cannot accept Jess is gay. Jess makes the decision to leave his father. This act of defiance causes Che to start drinking and leads him into a downward spiral, affecting his relationship,job and health. Near the end he comes across a crying mother, that opens his eyes without saying a word.
La Mission was directed by Peter Bratt. This film addresses many issues such as single parenting,masculinity, homosexuality, and addiction in the Latino community. Che is raising Jess alone after his wife passed away.And although he is both mother and father, His masculinity is never questioned. He has street cred due to his time in jail but also for his art skills.His reputation is compromised when everyone finds out Jess is gay.The homosexuality was a tough point for both characters. Various times in the film father and son would show reverence to the Virgin Mary or carry a Rosary. The religious beliefs could have been a reason for Che’s reluctance to accept his son. Che was confused and angry at the situation but Jess was only seeking acceptance from his father. Ultimately the pain caused Che to drink, however redemption is never too far off. The film was good but based on Latinidad and masculinidad in Hollywood scripts, Ethnic and Racial Studies, 32:6,948-966, Latino men are marginalized. This script written by a Latino has Che in a poor neighborhood,full of guns and violence. As if the area defines him. This movie is similar to American Me in that aspect and in the notable absence of women.
Ana S. Q. Liberato , Guillermo Rebollo-Gil , John D. Foster & Amanda Moras
(2009) Latinidad and masculinidad in Hollywood scripts, Ethnic and Racial Studies, 32:6,948-966, DOI: 10.1080/01419870802334549
As much as homosexual are accepted into main stream society, it is still taboo within the Hispanic community. Acceptance and tolerance are to different things. We have to accept people for who they are but in this film machismo seems to distort that concept. In the eyes of Che, it was difficult to accept a gay son. It is prejudicial and a sign of weakness. As he refers his son to a Mexican bitch, in American Me, homosexuals would be referred to as women. This is a story of acceptance and Che knows it. His son is a good kid and his sexual preference should not be a factor, but that anger and prejudice can tear up his family. In this case Che realized his mistake and attempted to make mends. It is a good story, unfortunately many teens turn to alternative methods to cope with the negative stigma.
I’ve never heard of this movie but it sounds like a very powerful movie. It also sounds like it deals with the topic of homosexuality in the Latino community in a very real manner. Although in recent years homosexuality has become more accepted and tolerated, homosexuality in the Latino community is still very much a taboo subject of conversation and in some families more so than others. For Che to out his son to the entire neighborhood, was one of the worst forms of public shaming. Rocio, I do believe that religion plays a part in the denunciation and rejection of the homosexual way of life, like you mentioned in your blog. Another factor that plays a part is the fact the Latinos are big on family conventions and proud of passing on the last name, which probably doesn’t mix well with the homosexual lifestyle. I’m interested in seeing this movie to see if it ends on a positive note.
First off love Benjimen Bratt but some obvious things about the review could tell me a lot about the film! He’s not a lLatino and at the time the film was made there were plenty of Latino actors that would be good to play the role. The fact of having a gay son at this time in life and with the role of Bratts character the film is going to address the Latino masculinity importance and stereotypes. I think I would watch this film to see how the director delivers the story
I love this film. It shows the depth of love for a son from a father, but his father’s strong beliefs about his son’s sexual orientation puts a block on the relationship. As mothers we always tend to accept our children no matter what even if what they do or chose we do not agree with, our love surpasses that, and its interesting with men they can disconnect to a point and remove themselves emotionally. There is no doubt that this father loves his son but his macho ways blocks him from continuing a relationship with him. Its another film where the Latino stereotypes come alive with the macho man proving a point to his “homies” that he’s a man no matter what.
I had not heard of this movie and I agree with others that this film portrays homosexuality as in real life situations. Machismo is very much still an issue now-a-days, and homosexuality in many eyes is not accepted. This film touches issues in which “men” viewing the film, can see from someone else’s perspective and not their own and how the consequences of their pride and being narrow minded are harmful. I do see the correlation to American Me, and the stereotypes of Latinos. I enjoyed reading your blog, but I am more of a visual person and I think posting a link to the trailer it would be helpful, I googled the trailer and like the quote, “You can take the man out of the mission, but you can’t take the mission out of the man. It’s in the blood homes.”
Hi Rocio,
I’ve never heard of this movie before but while I was reading your review I was sort of reminded of the movie Real Women Have Curves. In that movie the mom always puts down her daughter due to her weight. Calling her names and telling her she should lose weight. Also she can’t accept the fact that the daughter wants to go to college to make something out of her life. That need eventually drives a wedge between mother and daughter. It reminds me a lot of this movie because he finds out his son is gay and can’t accept it. The son is happy in his own skin just like Ana was with her weight. His son being gay and Che’s inability to accept that fact drives a wedge into their relationship as well. It even made Che kick his son out. It’s sad that there are families like this, not just in Latino households, that can’t accept their child if they come out as being homosexual. I’m not a mom but I can’t picture me just disowning my child for their sexual preference because, regardless, they are still your child.
I have not watched the film, but the events that you mentioned are events that take place in Los Angeles County; for example, gentrification, same-sex couples, and ex-convicts. I imagine they don’t only take place in this county but all over. I find myself familiar with the ones in this county. A lot of the small cities surrounding Hollywood and the beach cities are being affected by gentrification. Rent is currently high, and according to predictions the rent will be raised again next year. The love story between the protagonists sounds very typical, similar to a telenovela, until you mentioned they were the same-sex couple. I am glad that these topics are being brought out in films. Young adults, teenagers, and mature adults will view the movie and understand and approach these issues with an open mind. Ex-convicts have a difficult time integrating back into the community due to the lack of help, resources, and support.
Have a great summer
Hello Gerardo,
Like you I believe that same-sex couples and relationships are a topic that Latino parents have a hard time accepting and understanding. I have talked to my husband about this issue, and it has been difficult for him to digest. As a mother, I have learned that I need to accept, validate, and respect my sons’ decisions. I have always told my kids that regardless of their choices I will always be there to support and guide them. I was taught to respect the decision of others and not to be judgmental. I have never heard my parents talk about this topic nor do I know anyone from my family to have a same-sex sexual encounter or relationship. I think not because we are all heterosexual but because it will not be accepted and will be looked at as a devious relationship. I recently took a course that touched on the topics of sexuality and we watched a documentary of parents of LGBT community members testify. The parents feared that their children will be discriminated and mistreated due to their sexual preference. They did not understand, and it was a long process for the parents, as well. The LGBT community members that were supported and accepted by their family had a better experience facing the world than those who were not supported. I think this topic needs to be addressed, and we need to become educated to stop suicides, hate crimes, and bullying.
Have a good one.
I think it’s hard for a female or male to except that their son or daughter has different sexual preferences. It seems that parents often want the usual husband and wife family tradition. Most of the time mothers seem most except able but fathers with lots of testosterone find it rough to except. Especially if you come from a neighborhood that is based on gangs or tough reputations. There are many homophobic men that play tough to a sensitive males a form of bulling. It seems to be that little by little same sex relationships are becoming more excepted and for a parent hopefully realizing that it isn’t worth it to loose you child rather than to know you’ve raised a good child. Who just happened to like the same sex. I can see many real life situations between father and son happening just like this film. Good post!
I’ve never seen this movie, but it sounds really interesting. In Hispanic cultures, the Machismo attitude of some men make it hard for them to be comfortable with homosexuality, even with their own children. It’s sad because the son only wants acceptance and unconditional love from his father. It reminds me of Real Women Have Curves. In that film, there stereotypes are reversed and what is usually shown of the father is portrayed in the mother of Ana. She is controlling and non accepting of Ana’s decision to go to college. She wants Ana to do as she says. I see this first hand with my husbands father who is the typical machismo man. My husband graduated from UC Berkeley which is such an accomplishment but it wasn’t good enough for his dad. His dad wanted him to become a doctor and when my husband chose his own career path, his dad didn’t speak to him for months and viewed him as a failure! It’s disappointing when parents can’t accept their children for who they are and let them choose their own paths in life. Great post!