La Bamba

Drama, Music, Biography
USA  /  English

Biopic film about the rise to fame and tragedy of teen 1950's singer Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips). Born Richard Valenzuela, young Ritchie has a gift for guitar. Struggling to make it with his mother (Rosanna Desoto) and half-brother Bob (Esai Morlaes) in 1950's southern California, Ritchie begins to develop his music career to the chagrin of his disapproving brother. As a teen sensation, Ritchie struggles to maintain a normal life with girlfriend Donna (Danielle von Zerneck). As Valens becomes famous, his obligations to family are changed. He leaves school, family, and Donna, and goes on tour with Buddy Holly (Marshall Crenshaw) and The Big Bopper (Stephen Lee) after his hits "La Bamba" and "Donna" reach the top of the music charts. Enjoying his new friends but still trying to be a normal kid, Ritchie learns to value his friends and family more. Tragically, Ritchie, the Big Bopper, and Buddy Holly board an airplane in a snowstorm to get to the next gig but which crashes with no survivors. The film counterpoints the struggle of family to deal with the death of their son with the happy memories of someone who touched many lives.