La Bamba
La Bamba
Directed by:
Luis ValdezScreenplay:
Luis ValdezCinematography:
Adam GreenbergComposer:
Miles GoodmanCast:
Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto, Elizabeth Peña, Danielle von Zerneck, Joe Pantoliano, Brian Setzer, Noble Willingham, Stephen Lee (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
The life of rock & roll legend Richie Valens bursts across the screen in this celebrated, music-filled movie with star-making performances by Lou Diamond Phillips as Richie and Esai Morales as his half-brother, Bob. LA BAMBA depicts the 17-year-old Mexican-American's rocket rise to fame, from field laborer to rock star with a string of hit singles and a date with destiny. Fueled by Valens' hit songs performed by the Grammy®-winning Los Lobos as well as classic '50s tunes, LA BAMBA recreates the thrilling early days of rock and pays homage to the enduring legacy of a remarkable talent whose music crossed all borders. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (2)
Who wouldn’t know the rock’n’roll hit “La Bamba?” However, who can say that they know the story of the singer who wrote it and sang it a few times on the stage? I admit, I was really curious. When you watch a good biopic, it’s an experience for the lifetime. I think La Bamba is about halfway there. It’s not a bad movie, but everything is portrayed in a somewhat understated way in order not to hurt anyone. The finale guarantees a powerful strike to the heart, where you realize that all it takes is one small incident, one stupid coincidence, to turn your whole world upside down. I have to say that in this respect I will definitely never forget La Bamba.
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The story itself is interesting and very sad. If you look at how old Valens was when he died - just seventeen years old. A rising star... Buddy Holly's the same story, just a few years older. How would the music have sounded if their lives hadn't ended? Well, we definitely wouldn't have the "American Pie" song. Although it's a strong story, the execution felt rather lackluster to me.
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