La Bamba (1987)

Sadly Over-hyped

Fresh and Exciting

Best movie of this year hands down!

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

"La Bamba" is a really good rags-to-almost-riches story about Ritchie Valens who was three months shy of 18 years-old the day the music died on February 3, 1959. Ritchie is played by Lou Diamond Phillips, his brother Bob by Esai Morales, his mother by Rosanna DeSoto and their friend, Rosie, by Elizabeth Peña. Other than Ritchie's unlikely quick rise to fame, the story focuses on his troubled brother, who both supports Ritchie and resents his success, as well as Ritchie's youthful infatuation with a blond gringo who inspired the hit "Donna" (Danielle von Zerneck). Donna's Dad, of course, is a bigot and doesn't want her seeing a lowly Hispanic. Ritchie needed a connection to stardom and that was smalltime record producer Bob Keane (Joe Pantoliano) who witnesses Ritchie's magic at a Saturday matinée show at a movie theater."La Bamba" is just an all-around entertaining movie. It's got a good (true) story, great music from that era, authentic California locations and quality actors. Morales stands out as Ritchie's brother who's essentially a "dark Fonz" character. I also like how Keane is shown to be a do-it-yourself visionary who's "studio" is in his basement. Keane had a make-a-way-where-there-is-no-way ethic, an eye for talent and a willingness to look for treasure in "nobodies"; and that's why he was successful and is remembered to this day. This is just one example of the gems that can be gleaned from the proceedings.The film runs 108 minutes.GRADE: B+ or A-

Mostly, I don't like rock n' roll. I don't remember Richie Valens, and wouldn't have liked his music if I had.But this is a damned good movie that deserves a far higher rating than it has gotten. I rarely give an "8", but I will this time.And what makes it so good? First two powerhouse performances by relative newcomers. Lou Diamond Phillips is remarkable here as Richie Valens. Unfortunately, he hasn't had a role this good since. And Esai Morales...what a powerful performance! Rarely do performances in any film come up to this level.Second, there's a sentimental side to this film, and it has to do with the bonds in Latino families. I've seen it in person in my work, and it's portrayed well in this film.Third, even though we know how the film will turn out, it's nevertheless an upbeat film with hope for the future...even if it wasn't realized by Richie Valens.Supporting actors do a nice job here, too. Special mention should go to Rosanna DeSoto as Ritchie's mother.I've watched this film half a dozen times, and really it's not my kind of film...but it hooks me every time! Highly recommended!

At his untimely death in a plane crash at age 17 singer Richie Valens left little behind to musical posterity besides three hit songs and a sadly unfulfilled promise of more to come. With so short a life it's no surprise that his screen biography should concentrate more on the enduring fantasy of teenage rock 'n' roll stardom, in essence becoming the ultimate daydream of every young boy who fancies himself a guitar hero. The film captures some of the spirit of rock music's embryonic years, taking much of its energy from the dynamic performance of the title song by the group Los Lobos. But the screenplay stumbles somewhat during the sentimental domestic scenes, all too often settling for soap opera triteness ("…someday I'm going to buy that house for you, Mama…") or romantic flights of fancy ("…my dreams are pure rock and roll…"). Nostalgia value alone helps make it a pleasant if unsurprising diversion.

Ritchie Valens died at seventeen alongside Buddy Holly in a plane crash, but not before leaving several records including the one which gives this film its title, 'La Bamba'.A straight biopic covering 1957-1959, the last two years of Valens' life, this showcases his music, his family, and his personality. In the lead Lou Diamond Phillips does perhaps his best work, although the rest of the cast are in strong support.I just didn't get a feeling that this film had much of a heart - yes, there is the jealous brother, and the girlfriend whose parents don't approve, but it is all a bit hollow. So the film is only a bit of a diversion, nothing special.