La Bamba

Luis Valdez (1987)

104min

15 Certificate

Review

Our Score

by John Marriott

Most pop biopics are tepid affairs, but the same cannot be said for director Luis Valdez's engrossing re-creation of Ritchie Valens's short life. Los Angeles band Los Lobos perform impassioned versions of the young man's songs, and their playing is mirrored by Lou Diamond Phillips's intense performance, which brings the 1950s rock 'n' roll star to life with a lot of vibrant detail while generally avoiding the usual clichés of the genre. As Ritchie's bad-boy half-brother, Esai Morales also contributes to the authenticity.

Summary

Biopic of 1950s singer Ritchie Valens, whose promising career was cut short by the fatal plane crash in 1959 that also claimed the lives of Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. The film focuses on Valens' thwarted romance with Donna Ludwig and his rivalry with his older step-brother. Starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Rosana De Soto, Marshall Crenshaw and Danielle Von Zerneck, with music by Los Lobos.

Cast & Crew

Ritchie Valens / Richard Valenzuela Lou Diamond Phillips

Bob Morales Esai Morales

Connie Valenzuela Rosana De Soto

Rosie Morales Elizabeth Peña

Donna Ludwig Danielle Von Zerneck

Bob Keene Joe Pantoliano

Ted Quillin Rick Dees

Buddy Holly Marshall Crenshaw

Jackie Wilson Howard Huntsberry

Eddie Cochran Brian Setzer

Lelo Daniel Valdez

Big Bopper Stephen Lee

Director Luis Valdez

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: Columbia-Cannon-WarnerGuidance: Swearing and nudity.Available on: video, DVD and Blu-ray

Drama

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Luis Valdez (1987)

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

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