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 becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called Donna that he wrote for his girlfriend whose parents didn't want her to date a Latino boy. 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.

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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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Hector S

@HectUlrich Mar 10

Excelente de principio a fin. De mis favoritas.

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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

@Cecilia2 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

@RT33148622 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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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 becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called Donna that he wrote for his girlfriend whose parents didn't want her to date a Latino boy. 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: 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