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.
"An epic story of three brothers. Bound by blood. Divided by fate. Driven by destiny."
Top Billed Cast
Damian Chapa
Miklo
Jesse Borrego
Cruz
Benjamin Bratt
Paco
Enrique Castillo
Montana
Victor Rivers
Magic Mike
Delroy Lindo
Bonafide
Tom Towles
Red Ryder
Carlos Carrasco
Popeye
Detailed Critic & Audience Reviews
C Chandler DanierVerified TMDB Critic
2024-04-18
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.
