Review of La Bamba (1987) by Lashay W — 22 Sep 2013
There are certainly better musical bio-pics out there (Buddy Holly Story, Ray), but La Bamba gives it to you from all sides about a kind of forgotten rock legend. Ritchie Valens was only 17 when he passed away in a plane crash with The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly, but his story is pretty interesting.
Growing up poor in California with a mother that favored him, a brother that was jealous of him, and a girlfriend not allowed to see him, La Bamba does a solid job covering this from all angles. First and foremost the music is excellent as it's done by the famous Hispanic rock group Los Lobos, and Lou Diamond Phillips still hasn't done a better movie.
What I do find interesting is how the ending is told. A sick Valens on the phone, reconciling with his brother, while Holly sings in the background the song "Crying, Waiting, Hoping". While the scene is solid in that the two bury the hatchet so to speak, it's odd that it's during a Buddy Holly song.
Anyway, saw it on one of the free movie channels, and worth checking out if you haven't seen it.
This review of La Bamba (1987) was written by Lashay W on 22 Sep 2013.
La Bamba has generally received positive reviews.
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