Tonight at a glance
- Runtime
- 190 min
- Age rating
- R
- Language
- English
- Country
- United States
- Violence
- Moderate
- Frights
- Mild
Why tonight?
- A long one. Start it early, and give it the whole evening.
- One of the best-reviewed films Cue holds.
The story
Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on two Indigenous Latino American half-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial (half-Indigenous Latino American and half-European American) 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.
- street gang
- ghetto
- juvenile prison
- artist
- tragedy
- jail
- east los angeles
- youth gang
- hood
- gang
The look
A few frames, chosen rather than collected.
The bill
- Victor Rivers — Magic Mike
- Delroy Lindo — Bonafide
- Tom Towles — Red Ryder
- Carlos Carrasco — Popeye
- Teddy Wilson — Wallace
- Raymond Cruz — Chuey
- Valente Rodriguez — Frankie
- Lanny Flaherty — Big Al
- Billy Bob Thornton — Lightning
- Geoffrey Rivas — Carlos
- Karmin Murcelo — Dolores
- Directed
- Taylor Hackford
Production
- Rating
- 8.2 / 10 · 1,616 ratings
- Studio
- Hollywood Pictures
If this stayed with you
Then these are the nearest things Cue holds — chosen for what they share with it, not for what happens to be popular.
