Fresh
An enjoyable if slightly innocuous biopic based on the brief life and short-lived fame of teen rock'n'roll idol Richie Valens
Nigel Floyd, Time Out
La Bamba
Born into poverty. Destined for stardom. He lived the American dream.
1987 · 1h 48m · PG-13
Drama, Music
Directed by
Luis Valdez
Overview
Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly.
Director and cast
- Luis Valdez Director
- Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens
- Danielle von Zerneck as Donna Ludwig
- Elizabeth Peña as Rosie Morales
- Rosanna DeSoto as Connie Valenzuela
- Esai Morales as Bob Morales
- Joe Pantoliano as Bob Keane
- Rick Dees as Ted Quillin
- Marshall Crenshaw as Buddy Holly
- Brian Setzer as Eddie Cochran
- Daniel Valdez as Lelo
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
82%
Tomatometer
Fresh
La Bamba is engrossing throughout and boasts numerous fine performances.
Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh
As Valens, Lou Diamond Phillips has a sweetness and sincerity that in no way diminish the toughness of his onstage persona. The role is blandly written, but Mr. Phillips gives Valens backbone.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Fresh
Basically, it's a load of corn -- an up-from-the-basement account of a pop comet -- but the movie has an energetic, almost naive spirit.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Fresh
This is a sincere, well-acted movie about the short life of a minor rock 'n' roll star, and by the time it's over we almost have the feeling Valens would have been surprised not to have died in a crash.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
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