La Bamba Review

My favorite movie from 1987 is Dirty Dancing, and the second is La Bamba. I always thought this movie was underrated as it is a terrific telling of Richie Valens' life story. Valens was a rock singer in the 1950s who died in the plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. Lou Diamond Phillips is fantastic as Valens, and Esai Morales is great as his brother. The movie chronicles Valens' rise from migrant worker to rock star. His musical journey is chronicled through songs like "Co On, Let's Go" and of course, "La Bamba". He has a girlfriend named Donna in the movie so there is the song "Oh, Donna". The band Los Lobos really performed the songs. I don't think I'm spoiling anything by saying the ending is one of the saddest I have ever seen.

The DVD gave me something I've wanted to see for twenty years, interviews with the real Valens family including the mother and brother. Their last name is really Valenzuela, but it was changed for Richie's career. Other extras include "Lonely Teardrops" music video by Howard Huntsberry who played Jackie Wilson in the film. He and other singers who imitated singers from the era did a great job. Anybody who likes fifties music and who wants to know more about Valens should check out this film.