La Bamba

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1:24

La Bamba

PG-13,

1987,

1h 48m,

Biography/

Drama

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83%

80 Reviews

Tomatometer

78%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

78%

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)

Jan 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

Oct 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

Aug 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

Sep 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

Sep 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

Nov 18, 2022

Lively, enjoyable but superficial...

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Feb 21, 2019

Es demasiado buena, es muy entretenida y con un final bastante crudo

Abraham S

Feb 5, 2019

A bit slow in the beginning but good film overall.

Jan 26, 2019

The best movie song ever sung: the title song!

Albus W

Sep 7, 2018

Very cool look at the life of an up and coming star. Good performances all around.

Anakin W

Sep 21, 2017

The story could have been put together better, and there's a few issues with the acting I suppose.

Abraham S

Jun 1, 2017

Pretty sad and interesting movie

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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

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