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- 1987
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
- 1987
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
Summary Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.
Directed By: Luis Valdez
Written By: Luis Valdez
- 1987
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
- 1987
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
La Bamba
65
7.6
Where to Watch
Summary Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.
Directed By: Luis Valdez
Written By: Luis Valdez
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 12 Critic Reviews
65
58% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
42% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 12 Critic Reviews
65
58% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
42% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
As played by the smooth-faced, cheerful Lou Diamond Phillips, there seems to be something almost supernatural about the young man of La Bamba. He's a chosen one, and his rise to the top will be swift and smooth. If only he could shake those nightmares about a crashing plane . . . . [24 July 1987, p.A]
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 24 User Ratings
7.6
79% Positive
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
21% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 24 User Ratings
7.6
79% Positive
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
21% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
There is the music, however, great dollops of '50s songs, and it lifts the movie when the dialogue and the earnest-but-uninspired direction keeps it earthbound.
Though the filmmakers have clearly done their homework, and clearly care, they don't find much remarkable in the story of Ritchie Valens. Even given the short life at hand, La Bamba is as schematic and predictable as it is likable. [24 July 1987, p.D1]
An enjoyable if slightly innocuous biopic based on the brief life and short-lived fame of teen rock'n'roll idol Richie Valens.
A dedicatory, sometimes sombre recreation of the career of 50s teen-throb Richie Valens, which feels like a personal project by director Luis Valdez.
Writer-director Luis Valdez's movie is an example of just how tedious a bio-pic can be. [24 July 1987, p.3D]
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
BMI Film & TV Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
MTV Video Music Awards (VMA)
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
