La Bamba

PG-13

Released Jul 24, 1987

1 hr. 48 min.

Biography

Drama

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List

83%

80 Reviews

Tomatometer

78%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips) becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend (Danielle von Zerneck) whose parents didn't want her to date a Latino boy. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob (Esai Morales), and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly (Marshall Crenshaw).

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Critics Consensus

Elevated by a perceptive performance by a perfectly cast Lou Diamond Phillips, La Bamba distills its subject's creative energy -- and reflects his music's enduring appeal.

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Narciso R

Love this movie. NRJ.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/24

Full Review

luis arturo r

It's the best performance I've ever seen. great story, great actors.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is the true story of Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens played by Lou Diamond Phillips in his feature debut directed by Luis Valdez The film is largely based on Valens’ tragically ironic lifelong fear of flying, which began when a friend was killed in a plane crash when Valens was a kid Phillips really sells it as Valens singing straight from his heart and his mixed up home life The music is so memorable and toe-tapping Plus this has a tremendous amount of Hispanic culture to boost The dynamic between Ritchie and Bob is believable enough as they are constantly fighting for each other's approval Sad to say once again the artist's life was cut so short, he had his whole life ahead of him with his music and ready to marry But the effect he had on not just the Latino music industry but all of America was something truly extraordinary This is a very good biopic after 35 years if not an entirely perfect one Yet it manages to distill its subject's creative energy -- and reflects his music's enduring appeal The script manages to make all the players likable flaws and such with a colorful time period as well as rocking tunes

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/25/23

Full Review

David C

Una carta de amor al cine.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/23

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jelisije j

An absolute heartbreaking, but engaging biopic of the amazing Ritchie Valens.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great tribute to a legend and really great acting. Great movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/13/22

Full Review

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Luis Valdez

Director

Lou Diamond Phillips

Ritchie Valens

Esai Morales

Bob Morales

Rosanna DeSoto

Connie Valenzuela

Elizabeth Peña

Rosie Morales

Danielle von Zerneck

Donna Ludwig

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La Bamba: Trailer 1

1:24

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

This rousing foot-tapper from the pioneering American film-maker Luis Valdez is the definitive Eighties music biopic.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 27, 2024

Full Review

Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

The film feels curiously devoid of passion and lacking in curiosity as it hits every predictable beat from start to finish.

Oct 16, 2023

Full Review

Kathy Huffhines

Detroit Free Press

Sweet and serious, a fine little movie that accomplishes just what it sets out to do.

Rated: 7/10

Aug 10, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The movie paints a respectful portrait of the clean-cut kid while providing much of the dramatic conflict through the character of his hot-headed brother.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 27, 2023

Full Review

Rudie Obias

Battleship Pretension

Valdez gives La Bamba a specificity that seems missing from today’s music biopic that feels more concerned with hitting the beats of a famous musician, rather than filling a life with family, shortcomings, and joy.

Sep 26, 2023

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Lively, enjoyable but superficial...

Nov 18, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips) becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend (Danielle von Zerneck) whose parents didn't want her to date a Latino boy. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob (Esai Morales), and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly (Marshall Crenshaw).

Director: Luis Valdez
Executive Producer: Stuart Benjamin
Screenwriter: Luis Valdez
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, New Visions Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 24, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 8, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $52.7M
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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