La Bamba (1987)

Director:

Luis Valdez

Writer:

Luis Valdez (written by)

Release Date:

24 July 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Tagline:

Born to poverty. Destined for stardom. He Lived the American Dream.

Plot:

Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash.

Plot Keywords:

Singer | Star | Crash | Actor Shares Last Name With Character | Rock Star

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win

Cast

Lou Diamond Phillips	...	Ritchie Valens
Esai Morales	...	Bob Morales
Rosanna DeSoto	...	Connie Valenzuela (as Rosana De Soto)
Elizabeth Peña	...	Rosie Morales
Danielle von Zerneck	...	Donna Ludwig
Joe Pantoliano	...	Bob Keane
Rick Dees	...	Ted Quillin
Marshall Crenshaw	...	Buddy Holly
Howard Huntsberry	...	Jackie Wilson
Brian Setzer	...	Eddie Cochran
Daniel Valdez	...	Lelo
Felipe Cantu	...	Curandero
Eddie Frias	...	Chino
Mike Moroff	...	Mexican Ed
Geoffrey Rivas	...	Rudy

Also Known As:

Let's Go (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Netherlands:AL | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Cowboy Palace Saloon - 21635 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

According to Lou Diamond Phillips in the VH1 documentary "Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died" (1990), Ritchie Valens' sister was on the set the day they filmed the "coin toss" scene where Ritchie wins (or rather, loses) the chance to fly on the plane with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. As the scenes were being shot, Ritchie's sister began to weep uncontrollably and when Phillips tried to console her, she hugged him and sobbed, "Why Ritchie? Why did you get on the plane?"

Goofs:

Continuity: When Ritchie is showing his mother the new house, the shadows are halfway up the walls. When Bob pulls into the driveway with his two sisters, the shadows are totally gone. And when Ritchie opens the door into the house the shadows are there again.

Quotes:

Bob Keene: Wait Ritchie, look. I understand about friendship... but I'm being honest here. Not everyone in the world gets a shot at the "brass ring." You're gonna have to ask yourself what's more important, your friends... or your music.
Ritchie Valens: Walks back to table: My family...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Steve Carell/Usher (#33.12)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Goodnight My Love

Great biopic of a musical legend

The life and times of Richie Valens, and well made to say the least. Lou Diamond Phillips really showed a lot of promise in this film, but poor choices later in his career hurt his rep in Hollywood. Nonetheless, this film is quite an achievement in regards to portraying a rock idol (which was far better than the dull Buddy Holly Story). What really made this film was the relationship between Phillips and Esai Morales. Never has a brotherly dynamic been portrayed so fluidly, displaying the sweet and sour sides of the two growing up. With the help of a great soundtrack, I really felt this film has a spirit which isn't displayed in biographies anymore. Nowadays, most films try too hard to show the downside, which is what this tried not to do. 7.5/10