La Bamba (1987)
Genre: Biography / Drama
Duration: 108 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Luis Valdez
Stars: Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales and Rosanna DeSoto
IMDb score:
7,0 (39.222)
Releasedate: 24 July 1987
La Bamba plot
"Born into poverty. Destined for stardom. He lived the American dream."
Ritchie Valens grows up as the youngest son of a family of Mexican immigrants in Pacoima, a Los Angeles neighborhood. He starts singing rock 'n roll and becomes a superstar in no time. His brother Bob reacts jealously. He writes a song for his girlfriend Donna, who her father doesn't allow him to hang out with. He records his own version of the Mexican national anthem "La Bamba". Meanwhile, he has recurring nightmares about a plane crash.
Actors and actresses
Ritchie Valens
Donna Ludwig
Rosie Morales
Connie Valenzuela
Bob Morales
Bob Keane
Buddy Holly
Eddie Cochran
Lelo
Jackie Wilson
Reviews & comments
scorsese
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- 13232 messages
- 11124 votes
Nice film about a son of Mexican immigrants who succeeds at an early age with his music. A biopic about Ritchie Valens who is also known for his untimely death. The film is set in the 1950s during the early days of rock 'n roll, and that period is aptly portrayed here. It's all pretty standard though, and it kind of sinks in towards the end. Lou Diamond Phillips does a great job (even if he's a bit too old for the part).
Translated from Dutch · View original
Vidi well
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- 540 messages
- 703 votes
Nice biopic about Ritchie Valens. Despite the 50s setting, the film exudes an 80s feel, which is mainly due to the acting. Not really disturbing, but sometimes a bit over the top.
The film chronicles the rise of the rock 'n roll teenage star. Unfortunately, the main character remains a somewhat flat character, and the battle that his brother has to wage in his shadow as a black sheep is much more interesting in terms of psychological development. It also doesn't help that Ritchie's rise in music is very easy; his band is immediately enthusiastic about him, and everywhere he plays it is an instant party. He has no personal demons to overcome, making it difficult to sympathize with him from time to time. The only thing that is really difficult for him is his relationship, but that is again due to her father, and that battle is also quite suddenly overcome.
But apart from these shortcomings, La Bamba is a dramatic, but also cheerful film, about the early days of rock 'n roll, and one that is worth seeing.
3.5*
Translated from Dutch · View original
as
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- 3548 messages
- 5932 votes
revision.
Had actually already forgotten the film and that is not so strange. Bit of a no-brainer where, strangely enough, Valens is the least interesting in a dramatic way. The drama mainly stems from the envy of brother dear, who can draw nicely. However, that is far too little to keep the film interesting. Phillips does a pretty good job but is way too old for the part. Not bad at all, but it's certainly not good.
2*and
Translated from Dutch · View original
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