The true story of rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens, who tragically
​died in a plane crash within eight months of his rise to fame.

BIOPIC/DRAMA

La Bamba (1987)

Written and Directed by Luis Valdez

Starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto, Elizabeth Peña, Danielle von Zerneck, Joe Pantoliano

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Connor Eyzaguirre

February 5, 2017

8/10

Every music fan knows about the tragic 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper. It's one of the most horrific freak accidents in the history of music, and robbed this earth of three great talents. La Bamba is the story of 17-year-old Ritchie Valens and his discovery in San Diego that made him an overnight superstar. Valens was only famous for less than a year, but in that year he wrote some of early rock and roll's most influential hits and made a name for himself in rock history. This film honors his memory and shows how his family influenced his music and his ideals. As far as biopics go, La Bamba is certainly a winner.

Lou Diamond Phillips portrays Ritchie Valens, in a performance that stands out as one of his best. He does a great job of portraying Valens's naivety and good nature, as well as his toxic relationship with his brother Bob (Esai Morales). Of course, in any film about a music icon, the music is the real star. Los Lobos plays Valens's music in the film and uses each of his three hits as a piece of the narrative. The climax of the film, where he finally plays "La Bamba," is the last joyous moment in the film, as everything that follows is heartbreaking.

I enjoyed learning the story of Ritchie Valens. He was a good kid who got to be famous doing what he loved, even if was only for a little while. This film celebrates his life and mourns his death, but also ensures that we will never forget the music he gave us. And it's true. Ritchie Valens is one of rock and roll's most influential artists, and his music is still played today. La Bamba is the story of the young man who wanted nothing more than to give his family everything and play rock and roll, two things he did until the day he died.