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Simply Perfect

Sadly Over-hyped

People are voting emotionally.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

I flat out love this movie. The cast is solid and great. Lou Diamond Phillips did an impeccable job portraying the late Ritchie Valens and all his potential. You can't go wrong with this film and I recommend that everyone should watch it at least once to learn about the 1950's sensation who was unfortunately a part of "the Day the Music Died." The dialogue is strong. Esai Morales and Phillips capture the often contentious and ultimately loving brother-brother relationship quite well. Morales nailed the heart-wrenching final scene of the movie and conveyed the vices and struggles of Bob. The supporting cast do an excellent job in playing Ritchie's mother, his girlfriend Donna, and the music producer Keane. La Bamba is an important film because it exposes the audience to a sad and true rags-to-riches story that ends abruptly and tragically. The music is amazing and well done, much like the original songs, which is a crucial component of why La Bamba is a classic among biopics, in my opinion.

La Bamba is a biographical film that follows the life and career of Chicano rock 'n' roll star Ritchie Valens. The film stars Lou Diamond Phillips in the title role together with Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto, Elizabeth Peña, Danielle von Zerneck, and Joe Pantoliano. The film also covers the effect that Valens' career had on the lives of his half- brother Bob Morales, his girlfriend Donna Ludwig and the rest of his family.It was written and directed by Luis Valdez. Legendary 1950s rocker Ritchie Valens,who was born Ricardo Valenzuela, is known for his radio and concert success with hits like "La Bamba", "C'mon Let's Go", and "Donna".He was a 15-year-old migrant worker who worked with his mother Connie. His half-brother Bob Morales is a vitriolic ex-con who roars into the migrant camp on his Harley after his release from jail. Valens' musical talents are encouraged by his family and he soon earns an audition with legendary record producer and former Artie Shaw clarinet player Bob Keane. He soon appears in an Alan Freed rock n' roll teen exploitation film, lip-synching his blistering recorded version of "Ooh, My Head". When a romance with Donna Ludwig is forbidden by her conservative father, he pens the famous ballad that bears her name. Tours follow his chart success until the fatal plane crash that claimed the lives of Valens, The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly on February 3,1959. This is the film that definitely immortalized Ritchie Valens to present generations.Credit the performance of Lou Diamond Phillips for he leaves a haunting impression as the late 1950s pop idol that made the Latino influence in rock & roll conspicuous through his hit songs. The directors also created a nimble, exciting, and sympathetic portrait of the boy driven to rise above obstacles of race and family legacy.The movie is also characterized by a great musical extravaganza from the hit songs of Valens played by Los Lobos as well as Valens' contemporaries like Valdez Eddie Cochrane and Buddy Holly.Overall,this was a solid and entertaining biopic.

Before I watched this movie I had no idea who Ritchie Valens was. I had heard the song La Bamba and had heard about The Day the Music Died but didn't know that he had anything to do with them. This movie is an excellent tribute to him, his music and his tragically short life.I only watched this movie in 2012. The movie was released two years before i was born. It was released in 1987. I thought that it would be dated but I was wrong. Apart from some of the cinematic techniques and cinematography this movie is still fresh and can appeal to today's audience just as much as it did 24 years ago.It is not overly sentimental but manages to strike the right balance in order to convey the correct emotions. There are no flashy sets or a convoluted story lines. no added frills. Just good honest, straight story telling that adds to the realness of the movie and the characters. Not a single moment is contrived or pretentious.The performances where great especially Lou Diamond Phillips and Esai Morales.Music was brilliant. Los Labos performed each track to perfection.The ending is a real tear-jerker.One of the best movies ever made. I can watch it over and over again without tiring of it and still cry at the end each time.Kudos to Luis Valdez and his entire team for making such a great piece of cinema. You have truly inspired me and shown what great cinema is about. Showing the truth.

La Bamba film tells the true story of the musician Ritchie Valens, a Mexican guitarist and singer known for being one of the pioneers of the Chicano rock movement. He unfortunately died in an airplane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper at an early stage of his successful career at the age of 17, becoming a legend of 50s rock and roll.The movie goes through the relationship of Ricardo Valenzuela with his family and his girlfriend from school Donna, for whom he wrote a song which was the a-side of his second and last single. The film focuses on the tense relationship that Ritchie Valens has with his step brother Bob and with his mother who favored him (the younger brother) over Bob.Bob, who sees the upcoming success of his brother, keeps drinking and trying to find a way in his life, which includes taking care of his wife and little baby. The film also reflects the start of Bob's future career as a cartoonist. What a talented family!! The main character is played very well by Lou Diamond Phillips, who does a really good act playing the guitar. Another highlight to his brother Bob who captures very well his frustration.One of my favorite moments in the film is when Ricardo Valenzuela goes to Del-Fi record studios with his manager Bob Keane, and sings "Come on, let's go" sixty times, until Bob Keane considers he has the perfect recordings for mixing it. Bob Keane suggested he change his name to one more commercial, turning it into Ritchie Valens.Another remarkable moment is the concert in a theater, where there are performances of Eddie Cochran, Jackie Wilson and Ritchie Valens, who in this concert plays La Bamba. Eddie Cochran is played very well by Brian Setzer, who is the front man and guitarist of the rockabilly group The Stray Cats. I think the scenes of the audience could be done better, the audience is strangely overacting when the musicians show up and play.Ritchie Valens songs were recorded for the film by Los Lobos. The soundtrack also includes other songs from the 50s.It's a very nice and enjoyable biopic!