Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on half-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo. It opens in 1972, as the three are members of an East L.A. gang known as the "Vatos Locos", and the story focuses on how a violent crime and the influence of narcotics alter their lives. Miklo is incarcerated and sent to San Quentin, where he makes a "home" for himself. Cruz becomes an exceptional artist, but a heroin addiction overcomes him with tragic results. Paco becomes a cop and an enemy to his "carnal", Miklo.
First off, if you learn all the Spanish in this movie, you will be the coolest motherfucker in the world. Just like Miklo. Blonde, blue eyed but the Latines accept him in to their hearts. Gringo version of the gaijin dream. Not even Tom Cruise could be Japanese, though. The Latine culture is just so much more welcoming!
This movie is called Blood in Blood out. It is not called Bound By Honor. Stupid name. The act of swearing blood oaths is honour-based. Blood In. Blood Out. But then it doesn't really mean a blood oath. But it kind of is. It's a very good title.
It's long. Good god is it long. But I enjoyed it. Laughed a bit. Intense shit happens. Amazing Spanish. Vatos Locos, baby. I want to be in a gang now...but I'm old and from a small mountain town and only had 2 channels. I could be in a gang but I'm not really drawn to the life in a meaningful way.
I hope that tamale place and tree are still there.
Blood in...blood ouuuuut!!!