La Bamba - 5 stars out of 5 stars

Perhaps you've heard of"the day the music died"? Without going into too much history here, that was  February 3, 1959 and Ritchie Valens was but 17 and he and 3 others died in a plane crash that night.This movie is about his short 2 year run to music stardom and untimely early death.It made a instant star out of Lou Diamond Phillips who played him and recognition to the music group Los Lobos which duplicated his music.Released in 1987 and running 107 minutes,it was a huge commercial success and reminded us all of what was lost that day.Again,he was but one of three plus a pilot that died.Another film was made about one of the others and also made a star of the actor who portrayed him and that was"The Buddy Holly story"and Gary Bussie.However this is the film we are reviewing and I'll stick to it.The fact I didn't know about Ritchie was he did NOT speak Spanish.Odd and another reason well done bio-flicks are so rewarding.In todays movies many actors also perform but in this film that didn't matter.See in those days it was lip singing on TV and even in some concerts so to catch the"person"is so much more important than catching the performance which wasn't"live"more often than not back in that day.The whole cast feels right but its Diamonds film.Must see if only to put a face on that time and music for all the young's out there. It's note worthy how many of these great"music"films Joe Pantoliano appears in. Trailer URL follows pix.
Sex,drugs and Rock and Roll.................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wRCCUVT5jE