MovieChat Forums > La Mission (2009) Discussion > Clarification needed on a couple of scen...

Clarification needed on a couple of scenes

posted 13 years ago by mjd_subs2
13 replies | jump to latest

Hi,

Can someone explain the following to me, please? I've watched this twice now and I'm still unclear on some points.

* The elderly neighbor upstairs

Nothing seemed to change between him and Lena. Why did he begin waving to her in the hallway? Is it implied that Che has talked to him about her?

* The elderly man in the streets

When Che is fighting with Jess this man intervenes and says something that sounds like "Nephew" to him. Later, Che asks this man for help when Jess is in the hospital. The man asks "How is my grandson?"

If Che is his nephew, Jess would be his great-nephew, not grandson. Can someone clarify the family relationship between Che and this man, please?

* Jess' friend with the long hair (can't recall his name)

Jess goes to his friend's house so they can go to school together. He thinks the friend is blowing him off, at first, but realizes he was mistaken. He asked him how would he feel if the rumors were true. The friend responds and indicates everything is okay between them. Does anyone hear what the friend actually says to him after "People say alot of things. That don't make 'em true."?

Thanks in advance!

[–] Ohtracyb 13 years ago

Regarding the friend...he says "People say a lot of things. That don't make em true". To which Jess replies "And if it is?" Then he says "Then it is. Mother effin beat goes on. You know what I'm saying?" At least that's what I think he says...the mother effin part. He was talking pretty fast and I'm old and out of the loop with the slang.

Regarding the elderly man upstairs...I don't know. Perhaps he saw the scuffle in the street and noticed that she came in to try and stop things. I'm not totally sure.

I don't know about the nephew/grandpa thing.

[–] mjd_subs2 11 years ago

Just made it back to this board. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

I watched it again last night and I think the old man neighbor started waving at her because he knew Che and probably saw Che when he dropped of her repaired bike.

Thanks again.

[–] LadyJEsq 11 years ago

Just watched the movie, and I'm glad that I wasn't the only one who had a few questions. I didn't understand why the neighbor suddenly started waving either, but my guess is that he saw her with Che or Jess. I too wondered why he called him nephew in the one scene then called Jess his grandson. Too bad there's no answer to that question yet. I also didn't understand what Jess's best friend said, so thanks for original post. At least I have one of my questions answered!

I'm going to watch the movie again soon, and see what I may have missed the first time around. Really love the movie, glad I happened upon it.

"What do you say to the God of Death?"
"Not today!"

[–] mjd_subs2 11 years ago

Well, Benjamin Bratt and Erika Alexander are in it. What's not to like? ;-) I really enjoyed this movie too.

<SPOILER ALERT>

As far as the conversation with the friend...I just rewatched that scene to type out the conversation.

Jess arrives at his friend's front door. The friend opens the door and comes outside.

Friend: You're going to have to go on without me.

Mom's not home, so (motioning toward inside of house).

Jess: That's no problem. I'll just go with.

Friend: Naw, man. We're cool. Go ahead.

Jess: You sure?

Friend: Yeah, man. We're cool. I'll catch up with you later.

Jess: (Looks upset) Fine, whatever man. (Starts to walk away)

Friend: Hey! Hey!

Jess: (Turns around)

Friend: Keep the attitude man.

[A girl open the front door and the friend turns to speak to her. He turns back to Jess.]

Friend: Listen, I gotta go in and see what that's about.

Jess: (smiles) I'm sorry, man. I thought that uh...

Friend: I know what you thought.

Jess: Well, don't act like you don't know what people being saying around here.

Friend: People say a lot of things...It don't make 'em true.

Jess: And if it is?

Friend: Then it is. Mother *beep* beat goes on. Know what I'm saying? (extends fist to Jess)

Jess: (Hesitates)

Friend: (Continues to hold fist toward Jess) Hey! Know what I'm saying?

Jess: (Fist bumps with friend) You crazy, man. Later.

Hope this helps!

[–] LadyJEsq 11 years ago

I know what you mean. I love both BB and EA. I actually found out about this movie on EA's board. I was looking for any other work she did outside of LS. I watch that show religiously and lover her as Max. I also love BB. I'm a huge L&O fan (watching an episode right now actually!) and Detective Curtis is one of my favorite detectives. I did read BB's IMDB page awhile back, and I was pleasantly surprised to see them use his Native American and Hispanic heritage in the movie. Great movie that I'll enjoy to watch again.

Thanks for the transcript!

"What do you say to the God of Death?"
"Not today!"

[–] mjd_subs2 11 years ago

Ah, another L&O fan. I don't watch much television any more, but I was addicted to L&O back in the day. I didn't see too many episodes of LS because I could only tolerate a few of the characters ;-).

Like you, I think it's great when performers can share some of their culture in movies without being watered down to clichéd characterization. Well, I'm a bit biased. I could watch BB and/or EA read the tax law. ;-)

[–] LadyJEsq 11 years ago

Considering tax law is my favorite, I could watch BB and/or EA read it too!!

"What do you say to the God of Death?"
"Not today!"

[–] Rainbowboys22 11 years ago

I am hard of hearing, I have the volume maxed out (the neighbors hate it) and i still have troble hearing, so I select the subtitles, if you watch the movie again, turn em on. oh and They said,

Yeah,Well, Don't act like you dont know, what people have been saying around here.

People say a lot of things That dont make 'em true.

If it is?

Then it is. *beep* beat goes on. You know what I'm saying?
Hey, you know what I'm saying?

You're crazy, man.

[–] dvbydesign 11 years ago

Okay.... just watching it for the first time.... But I do have some guesses to throw into the mix....

About the old man/neighbor/Mr. Gonzalez/Mr. G more than likely he is wary of neighbors (especially those that live in that apartment) because Jes tells Lena the story about the last tenant that tried to offer the landlord triple the rent if he would kick out Mr. Gonzalez... Che helped Mr. G take the idiot to court and they won. Maybe he was a lot less wary of her because she was hanging out with Che & Jes? Plus Che redid her bike for her.... leading the neighbor to think that maybe Lena was not so bad....

Now on the older man that lived across the street.... This is a total guess on my part... First I have no clue what the man called Che.... Maybe it was a nickname or could have meant something in either Spanish or American Indian (sorry I took Latin in high school... yeah don't ask.....) On to his relationship with Che.... He seemed like an authority figure. In some neighborhoods where there is not an abundance of male figures in the neighborhood or block, kids growing up with single mothers and no strong male influences.... Sometimes an older man that does live there will sort of unofficially "adopts" the younger males to mentor them or just be a strong (but loving) male influence or authority figure in the lives of these kids. When the fight broke out.... It seemed like the girl yelled for the older man... Then he sort of acted like the one to call the end of it and the guys respected him enough to stop. (Sort of like a father would....) So if that is true he would consider Che a son (not by blood.... but by a respected older male) then it would make sense when he asked about Jes and called him his grandson....

I could be wrong on all accounts.... If anyone has a definitive answer I would love to hear it and I won't be hurt at all.....

____________________________

Live | Love | Laugh

[–] mjd_subs2 11 years ago

That makes sense. I think the old man probably didn't trust too many people and his character helps the audience see the evolution of her acceptance in the building.

Ah, that makes sense. I'm not "that old" and I remember being much closer to our neighbors growing up than people are today. We often called unrelated family friends "uncle" or "aunt" so-and-so. I don't know why that idea didn't occur to me when watching this (brain fog, probably! ;-)

Thanks for your input on it. Makes sense to me.

[–] mr-istorm-1 10 years ago

In many cultures (e.g. Afro-American, Latino, Samoan, Hawaiian, Caribbean, many African countries) it is very common for people of the same race to refer to one another as "cousin", "nephew", "uncle", "father", "daughter", etc. as a term of endearment… in spite of the lack of actual familial ties.

It's not as common in Asian cultures… wherein these terms are used more literally. And certainly not nearly as common in Caucasian culture.

[–] mjd_subs2 10 years ago

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for responding.

"Get busy living, or get busy dying." Andy (The Shawshank Redemption)

[–] 10 years ago

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