El Cantante (2006)

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Some IMDB movie ratings are just wrong. That applies here. Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez deserved awards, they were that good. This movie is super intense and they, along with all of the actors, nailed it. 50+ years after the genre burst onto the New York City and global scene, Salsa shows no sign of slowing down. So if you want to see how Salsa all started -- the record label, the artists, the culture, the times and of course the music -- you need to watch this movie. It's really well done.

Sorry but this could have been a good film, the acting was very good, but who wrote the awful script? There was just far too much bad language and I turned the DVD off half way through. I am no prude but does anyone really use the F word THAT much? If so they need help! I was really looking forward to this film because of the good reviews and the fact it was about Salsa ( having Jennifer Lopez to look at doesn't hurt either ) but it really was spoiled. I know that I am probably alone in this but for me constant bad language just grates and it spoils my enjoyment of any film. Some swearing can be justified but it got worse as the film went on. Surely there were better ways to show the decline of a man into drugs than that? For me it is sloppy scriptwriting and even sloppier direction of what could have been a really good biopic.

Now I love Jennifer Lopez. Nothing but respect. Who one their right and brightest mind would cast beloved MARC ANTHONY on the lead role ? Why oh why ? As Hector, he is nothing but a short man who disappoints us from the beginning to the end. "Hector never knew how much people loved him. And that's the thing. It's like he didn't want to know." But Marc Anthony (OH YOU SANG TO ME!) seriously should accept the fact that NOT EVERYBODY loves him or his work. He must also accept that he cannot act even if he was tortured. Best thing would be to tie him up and make him listen to all of his songs over and over. And make him watch his music videos over and over. That would be the best punishment for dear Marc. Rest of the cast is great. Everybody else has done a great job. But, the way this movie was shown, could've been better. Some films may not have the element of keeping the mind of the audience stuck to it or keep yer heart pounding and waiting for something great to happen. When movies without these elements are made, they should be shot well and need proper actors. Not someone like OH-YOU-SANG-TO-ME! The narrative could've been better. if you already know about Hector Lavoe, then this movie will just help you add slightly to what you already know. Surely, the movie has great detail. But Marc Anthony is a major turn off for me. Playing a role like that. Its not that he doesn't look the part, HE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE AN ACTOR in the first place. Now that's what you call a major casting problem. Lets be glad he was not cast in DANCE WITH ME or any of the CHE GUEVARA movies for that matter.You could watch it for Jennifer Lopez (fine and fine performance as usual) and the rest of the cast. Movie loses major points because of Marc Anthony. But if you are a OH-YOU-SANG-TO-ME fan, then go watch it. Cause there easily wouldn't be any other movies with MARC ANTHONY playing the title role. (But that could change if J.Lo was planning to produce for the little prik)

I understand many of the folks comments. We must all keep in mind that the movie was based on the interview conducted with Puchi his wife. She was bitter and and upset at him for the drug use, the deceit and the sickness that they both shared. She should had kept in mind that she in some aspect did introduce him to the drug scene. The movie did shine a certain negative spotlight on Hector. The people that never heard of him or knew about him will portray him as being a loser. This movie does nothing for those that never knew about him or heard of him. However the true fans and the ones that do respect and love his music it was a joyous reminiscence. I grew up loving his music and displayed his albums with pride. He was my stepping stone for the love that I have for the Salsa music today. He was the pioneer and one of the major factors in putting Salsa on the map. i would've preferred to sit down and watch a more positive movie on his life. However It takes nothing away on the joy and excitement that i felt to hear his music on the big screen. May he rest in peace and his memories will remain bright through his fans and admirers such as myself.