La Bamba

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La Bamba

PG-13

1987

1h 48m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

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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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

01/27/2024

4/5

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

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Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

10/16/2023

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

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Kathy Huffhines

Detroit Free Press

08/10/2021

7/10

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

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

09/27/2023

3/4

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.

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Rudie Obias

Battleship Pretension

09/26/2023

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.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

11/18/2022

Lively, enjoyable but superficial...

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Amy G

@Amytheshort Dec 16

Wonderful acting on part of lou diamond phillips. The character of Bob is brilliant. He's edgy, but down to earth.

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Larry K

@Larrymoses39 Sep 30

Great music and great acting by all!

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Cecilia S

Aug 13

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.

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Tyler S

@tylerking24 Aug 7

Been a long time since I've seen this, and man it can still feel tough to watch. Ritchie Valens was a rising star taken from us way too soon, and this movie portrayed him very well.

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Sawyer B

Jul 26

La Bamba is One Of Those Movies Where When You Watch It Once, You Watch it Multiple Times Again, A Absolute Must Watch for all fans of Biopics, Lou Phillips and Los Lobos Were Perfect in recreating Ritchie’s Hits, and the Cast is even better, Lou Phillips Portrayed Ritchie as a person who nobody knew, but gained popularity in the span of 7 months, absolutely perfection, And La Bamba isn’t One of the Movies That Feel like a Wikipedia, You Feel Emotional Towards The End and at Ritchie’s Struggles, Easy 5/5

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Michael W

@mawilps May 20

This showbiz biopic was really good. Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Danielle von Zerneck, Rosanna Desoto, Elizabeth Pena, Joe Pantoliano, and the rest of the cast did a fantastic job in this movie. This true story about Mexican-American rock singer Ritchie Valens was dramatic, entertaining, and tragic. It's about pursuing your dreams and never giving up no matter what. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a definite must see.

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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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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
Producer: Bill Borden, Taylor Hackford
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
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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