47
Metascore
17 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75ObserverRex ReedObserverRex ReedLa Mission, carefully directed by Peter Bratt and beautifully photographed by award-winning cinematographer Hiro Narita (Never Cry Wolf), explores the human side of a culture we know almost nothing about, in a world usually exploited on film to depict drugs and danger.
- The film oozes with authenticity -- sometimes a bit too much so -- and a genuine passion for the gritty, colorful, proud neighborhood that's still a few steps behind the progressive city it calls home (the Bratts grew up in and around the Mission).
- 60Time OutTime OutBratt’s performance suggests enough subcutaneous rage to give the proceedings an edge, even when the sluggish narrative takes the slow-cruise ethos of its low-rider culture far too literally at times.
- 58Entertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumEntertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumThe warmth comes through, even if the storytelling is simplistic and clichéd.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterJames GreenbergThe Hollywood ReporterJames GreenbergTheir heart is in the right place, and their tale is colorful, complete with Indian dancers in ceremonial costumes dancing on a street corner.
- 50VarietyDennis HarveyVarietyDennis HarveyRather predictable in its major plot points and social-issue pleadings, the picture is better suited to cable than the big screen, but nonetheless offers solid drama with nice streaks of humor, warmth and local color.
- The distinguished cinematographer Hiro Narita (“Never Cry Wolf”) captures the hard San Francisco light and the burnished glow of the beautifully painted cars. Unfortunately, this care is lavished on an overwrought, predictable story of an angry ethnic father.
- 40Village VoiceMelissa AndersonVillage VoiceMelissa AndersonAs subtle as a face-punch, La Mission nobly continues a necessary conversation about homophobia, but paves the way to hell with its own good intentions.
- 40New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierNew York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierThe earnest attempt at family drama doesn't benefit from the abundance of movie-of-the-week cliches.
- 25New York PostV.A. MusettoNew York PostV.A. MusettoUtterly predictable and full of trite dialogue.