La Bamba (1987)
A lot’s changed since 1987: Biopics are much more common (and darker). Chicano artists are more mainstream, and Lou Diamond Phillips is a household name. So we acknowledge “La Bamba’ was groundbreaking … and not very good.
Listener Mark C. commissioned this episode and the upcoming “American Me” to celebrate his heritage as a first-generation Hispanic-American. He noted the blockbuster soundtrack, janky lip-syncing and performances from Esai Morales, Joe Pantaliano and Elizabeth Pena. But Mark didn’t prepare us for laughably large talismans, breakneck pacing and Ritchie Valens’ “golly-gee” persona.
In this episode, the Shat Crew debates whether Ritchie’s brother, Bob, got a fair shake in the movie, what really happened that night in Tijuana and how much racism is appropriate for this story. Gene spots a Mystical Mexican. Ash yearns for some Buddy Holly, and Dick wants more details about the plane crash and aftermath.
Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips) becomes an overnight rock ‘n’ roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called “Donna” that he wrote for his girlfriend (Danielle von Zerneck) whose parents didn’t want her to date a Latino boy. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob (Esai Morales), and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly (Marshall Crenshaw).
Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips) becomes an overnight rock ‘n’ roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called “Donna” that he wrote for his girlfriend (Danielle von Zerneck) whose parents didn’t want her to date a Latino boy. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob (Esai Morales), and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly (Marshall Crenshaw).
Plot Summary:
In the 1987 biographical drama *La Bamba*, directed by Luis Valdez, Lou Diamond Phillips stars as Ritchie Valens, the teenage rock ‘n’ roll sensation whose meteoric rise to fame changed the face of music forever. Set in the late 1950s, the film follows Ritchie’s journey from a humble, hardworking family in California’s San Fernando Valley to becoming a national star with hits like “La Bamba” and “Donna.” Driven by his love for music and supported by his determined mother, Connie (Rosanna DeSoto), Ritchie dreams of escaping poverty and making it big.
Ritchie’s ascent is not without its struggles, as he contends with the challenges of sudden fame, cultural barriers, and a complicated relationship with his older brother, Bob Morales, played by Esai Morales. Bob, a troubled and rebellious figure, grapples with his own demons and feelings of inadequacy in the shadow of Ritchie’s success. Despite their conflicts, the bond between the brothers remains strong, adding emotional depth to the story.
The film captures the excitement and energy of the 1950s rock scene while also exploring the complexities of family, love, and ambition. As Ritchie gains popularity, he faces growing pressure from the music industry, navigates his relationship with his girlfriend Donna (Danielle von Zerneck), and battles a recurring nightmare about a mid-air collision that foreshadows his tragic fate.
La Bamba climaxes with the fateful day of February 3, 1959, when Ritchie boards a plane that would lead to “The Day the Music Died.” The film serves as a tribute to his brief but impactful life, capturing both the joy of his achievements and the heartbreak of his untimely death.
Join our podcast review as we revisit this moving story, celebrate Ritchie’s enduring legacy, and discuss if La Bamba still resonates with audiences today.
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