A triumph and a legacy
Added 6/29/2009
I don't recall how many times I've viewed "La Bamba," or even if it's a true depiction of Valens' life, but it never fails to move me. The brilliance of the performances and direction aside, Ritchie's story, as told, the film never fails to move me and inspire respect for the pioneers of 50's rock. If you are not moved by this brilliant film and all it stand for, I can only wonder. with regret, when you, not Ritchie, died. Essential viewing, a classic -- timeless and a cinematic wonder.
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"Lou Diamond Phillips' BEST role ... WOW
Added 6/2/2009
While the star of this story IS Richie Valens, the actor that created the persona ... is Lou Diamond Phillips ... ... this is a GREAT performance of a very tragic story ... "WE" ALL lost part of our culture when this young man died... His songs told stories that EVERYONE knows personally ... "Labamba isn't rock & roll" ... "It is the way I do it" ... YES!~!!!!! IT IS!!!!!!!!!
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Love that song!
Added 3/27/2009
I liked this film; sad that one so talented and so very young had to have his life ended in such a tragic way.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Still makes me weep.
Added 7/23/2008
La Bamba is the story of rock 'n' roll singer Ritchie Valens. Lou Diamond Philips stars as the doomed singer who died in a plane crash which was also the talented musician's biggest fear - flying. This is a smart and poignat film biopic, I highly recommend it, enjoy!
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My favorite movie of all time
Added 5/1/2008
La Bamba is my favorite movie of all time hands down. Of all the films I have seen not many reached me the way La Bamba did. I first saw this movie back in the summer of 96 when I was 17-years old and I fell in love with this movie and also became a big fan of Ritchie Valens. No joke I would watch this movie every single day it was on. La Bamba was a staple part of HBO's line up and even if it was on twice a day I would watch it. For me, each time I saw the movie it felt like the first time. I would drive my friends crazy with having to watch it even after I recorded the movie they figured I wouldn't watch it as much, but I still did.
At the time I was actually learning the guitar and I never really played at all and this movie inspired me to actually practice and not only that, but it also inspired me on wanting to be a filmmaker. I really can't think of any other movie that reached me on this deep of a level. Like I said in the opening of my review La Bamba is hands down my favorite movie of all time. For starters it has some truly great music; La Bamba is about having a dream and not letting anyone stop you from reaching that dream. It's about love and family.
The screenplay by Luis Valdez was excellent; the characters are great and each of the main players all add to the movie. None of the characters are just there. Each character plays a crucial part of the movie. While yes the story does revolve around Ritchie played amazingly by Lou Diamond Phillips, but in many ways movie is actually Bob's story played by Esai Morales who pretty much steals the show. There is a bond between the 2 brothers, but there is also tension. Bob is always in Ritchie's shadow despite being older and I was really able to relate more to Bob in many ways than Ritchie. Ritchie was sort of the Golden Boy, while Bob was sort of the outsider.
I think at some point in our lives we have felt like we were in someone's shadow, either it be a friend, family member or co-worker. The more Ritchie finds success the more Bob falls into this despair as all the attention goes to Ritchie and he's sort of forgotten about. The movie may revolve around Ritchie, but it's very much Bob's story. And Esai Morales gives a terrific performance. La Bamba is about going for your dreams and not letting anyone stop you from reaching them. We all have dreams in life and most of us are too afraid to try and make them come true. Ritchie had a dream in life and wouldn't let anything keep him from that and I hold that close. La Bamba gave me and still gives me the courage to go after my own filmmaking dreams.
As director Luis Valdez creates some truly touching scenes and some truly inspiring moments. When making a Bio-picture normally certain parts are played up more for dramatic effect and Valdez does that here, but it works well. A lot of the scenes with tension between Bob and Ritchie comes from real life and comes from the own personal experience between Luis Valdez and his own brother. The love story between Ritchie and Donna played by Danielle von Zerneck are possibly the strongest scenes of the movie and shows a time of innocence.
Prior to this movie I knew who Ritchie Valens was and I knew his music, but I wouldn't be able to place the music with the artist. All the music in the movie that Ritchie sings is performed by Los Lobos who did justice to the original music, but I sought out the original versions by Ritchie and loved it. On my guitar I used to play Donna, Come on Let's Go and La Bamba non-stop. Nothing can top the opening lick in La Bamba.
Lou Diamond Phillips made his screen debut, but if not mistaken he actually shot Stand and Deliver first, but this one came out first. Lou Diamond gives a performance of a lifetime. His performance is so real and inspiring. I would rate this performance as one of my all time favorites. By the time I saw La Bamba I was already a fan of Lou Diamond, but this movie made him one of my very favorite actors of all time. Esai Morales though pretty much steals the show like I stated before. Rosanna DeSoto as Connie, Ritchie's mother is excellent and Joey Pantoliano as Ritchie's manager is excellent, but Joey Pants always delivers. Elizabeth Pena also gives a good performance as Ritchie's ex-girlfriend who is now with Bob, which creates some uneasy tension.
I'll be the first to admit the final act always gets me teary-eyed. The death of Ritchie and Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper was so tragic. Buddy Holly is one of my all time favorite musicians. When Ritchie's family and friends hear the news over the radio it's just so tragic. Sleepwalk, played by Santo & Johnny is so hauntingly beautiful and really adds to the scene; Bob walking across a wooded bridge and stops and screams Ritchie's name never fails to give me the chills.
La Bamba is truly a great and uplifting movie that is really tragic, but again very uplifting. Ritchie was only 17-years old when he died and I remember being freaked out since I was that very age when I first saw the movie. At that age death isn't something we think about and it was quite creepy. This may be clichéd, but Ritchie may be gone, but his music and impact will never be forgotten. His life inspired this movie and this movie inspired me.
Without a doubt La Bamba is my very favorite movie nothing for me comes close. I can watch this movie everyday and never once get tired of it. Each time I see the movie it feels like the first time.
5 out of 5 people found this helpful.
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A triumph and a legacy
Added 6/29/2009
I don't recall how many times I've viewed "La Bamba," or even if it's a true depiction of Valens' life, but it never fails to move me. The brilliance of the performances and direction aside, Ritchie's story, as told, the film never fails to move me and inspire respect for the pioneers of 50's rock. If you are not moved by this brilliant film and all it stand for, I can only wonder. with regret, when you, not Ritchie, died. Essential viewing, a classic -- timeless and a cinematic wonder.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
"Lou Diamond Phillips' BEST role ... WOW
Added 6/2/2009
While the star of this story IS Richie Valens, the actor that created the persona ... is Lou Diamond Phillips ... ... this is a GREAT performance of a very tragic story ... "WE" ALL lost part of our culture when this young man died... His songs told stories that EVERYONE knows personally ... "Labamba isn't rock & roll" ... "It is the way I do it" ... YES!~!!!!! IT IS!!!!!!!!!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Love that song!
Added 3/27/2009
I liked this film; sad that one so talented and so very young had to have his life ended in such a tragic way.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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