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Bound by Honor

Bound by Honor

Crime · Drama · Thriller · 1993

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.

Movie details

Bound by Honor

“An epic story of three brothers. Bound by blood. Divided by fate. Driven by destiny.”

1993 Crime · Drama · Thriller 3h 10m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

8.2 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Bound by Honor?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Taylor Hackford

Written by

Floyd Mutrux · Ross Thomas · Jimmy Santiago Baca · Jeremy Iacone

Damian Chapa

Damian Chapa

Miklo

Jesse Borrego

Jesse Borrego

Cruz

Benjamin Bratt

Benjamin Bratt

Paco

Enrique Castillo

Enrique Castillo

Montana

Victor Rivers

Victor Rivers

Magic Mike

Delroy Lindo

Delroy Lindo

Bonafide

Tom Towles

Tom Towles

Red Ryder

Court is in session

Put Bound by Honor on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.