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As a child of the video age, there is a collection of films that have been ingrained in my memory for having watched them over and over again. LA BAMBA, the story of Ritchie Valens, is one of those films. Before I knew that I was watching something special, I responded to this musical biopic’s portrayal of the supporting characters in the life of the central star. No other film that deals with the rise of famous people deals so honestly with how fame affects those in the star’s life that stay anonymous folk.

Before Ritchie Valens rose to fame, he was migrant worker Ritchie Valenzuela (Lou Diamond Phillips, YOUNG GUNS). A young man obsessed with rock ‘n roll, he never goes anywhere without his secondhand guitar. One day his leather jacket-wearing brother Bob (Esai Morales, FAST FOOD NATION) rides into camp on his motorcycle. He’s made enough money to move his hardworking mother Connie (Rosanna DeSoto, STAND AND DELIVER) and his three younger siblings to Los Angeles. He’s so cool he sweeps Ritchie’s crush Rosie (Elizabeth Pena, LONE STAR) off her feet and onto the back of his bike on his way down the road too. In L.A., Ritchie joins a local band where he is relegated to the background, but moves himself to the front and center via his passion. Along the way, he charms the white daughter of a car dealer named Donna (Danielle von Zerneck, LIVING IN OBLIVION), a later inspiration for a song when her dad doesn’t like her hanging with a homie. Ritchie also attracts the attention of smalltime record producer Bob Keene (Joe Pantoliano, THE MATRIX), who creates Ritchie Valens, a teenager who quickly has three hit singles and tours with rock icons like Buddy Holly.

Writer/director Luis Valdez displays a passion for the material that seeps through the whole film. Valens was the first Latino rock star and Valdez doesn’t want him to slip into history as a footnote on Buddy Holly’s death. Phillips powerful performance is electric. But the dynamic between him, his brother and mother is what makes the film special. Bob tries hard to provide for his family, but booze and a penchant for violence bring him down time and time again. Ritchie looks up to his older brother, but disapproves his ways. Bob resents the special attention that good boy Ritchie receives from his mother. These feelings only increase as Ritchie becomes more famous. Phillips’ passionate performance is matched by the fire of Morales, who doesn’t let his character ever fall into the shadows of his little brother. This is the heart of the picture and makes us wonder what other family members think of their famous relations.

Because Valens’ fame lasted a quick six months, Valdez has room to develop the family, while giving us the many key moments in the young performer’s career. At the film’s start, we get a peek into the origins of Valens’ fear of flying. Knowing that he died in a plane crash, a dark irony hangs over the entire story. It underlines the tragedy of a young man who died too soon. While Valdez paints an honest and heartfelt true-life drama, he is also crafting an icon as well. As a Latino who doesn’t speak Spanish, it’s more than just an artistic move to sing “La Bamba” in Spanish and make it a top 40 hit. Valens broke down barriers like they weren’t even there. As a 17-year-old, he doesn’t know any other way.

Before this film was released, who died with Buddy Holly was just a trivia question. I’m still waiting for the Big Bopper feature. Valdez wants “the day the music died” to be remembered for not only the loss of a legend, but also the loss of a potential legend. Because of this film, I was a Ritchie Valens fan before I was a Buddy Holly fan. By including themes about family and the grander tragedy of dying young, Valdez captures a unique portrait of fame. Like the legacy of James Dean, another young star that also died tragically too soon, youthful enthusiasm frozen in time by loss haunts this film as well.

Buy It Now!

Buy La Bamba Now!