“RIFT IN THE BARIO”
Starring: Benjamin Bratt, Erika Alexander, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Jesse Borrego and Talisa Soto Bratt.
Directed by: Peter Bratt
MPAA Rating: R language, some violence and sexual content
Genre: Drama
Run Time: 1hr. 57min.
By John Delia
Choosing a taught drama about the neighborhood that he grew up in, Benjamin Bratt surfaces in La Mission. Written and directed by his brother Peter Bratt, the film reconstructs the one time barrio of the two filmmakers adding a powerful script that delves into love and the unexpected.
The film centers on Che Rivera a strong-minded ex-con and recovering alcoholic who is raising his son Jesse (Jeremy Ray Valdez) in the tough Mission district of San Francisco. In this district people survive on respect and Che’s on the top of the food chain in that category. Jesse is his whole life and Che commits every day to making sure the boy makes it in the inflexible world in which he’s growing up. When his son reveals that he is gay however, Che finds it rough going trying to deal with the boy, his neighborhood and the future.
It is good seeing Bratt up on the big screen in a role that he handles well. As Che he makes the character strong, staunch and believable. His fire, both passionate and fierce, delivers a powerful Che that is not easily forgettable. In support Valdez shows two sides, a barrio respected child emulating his father and an inner man trying to come to grips with a his totally opposite gay lifestyle. The two players are excellent in their roles holding my attention throughout to the gripping ending.
Peter Bratt directs the film with ease feeding his audience with the right measures of violence, love and respect. Providing a view of a strong ethnic neighborhood, challenging life choices and unexpected relationships, Peter shows his creativity and ability in a big way.
La Mission is rated R for language, some violence and sexual content. Do not let the title fool you as it is not a French film, but refers to the ethnicity of the area of which the film deals.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A daring film with challenging choices. (4 of 5)