La Bamba
Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly.
Critics Sentiment
Ritchie performs La Bamba at Alan Freed's show
Bob drunkenly disrupts Richie's garage party performance
The film builds steadily from Bob's party disruption to the triumphant Brooklyn Paramount performance, representing Valens' rise from local struggles to national stardom.
Critics found La Bamba to be a touching and well-crafted biopic that effectively captured both Ritchie Valens' meteoric rise and tragic end. While some noted heavy-handed foreshadowing and melodramatic elements, most praised Lou Diamond Phillips' energetic performance, the authentic music sequences, and particularly Esai Morales' complex portrayal of the troubled brother Bob. The film builds emotional momentum through Valens' career highlights before delivering a powerfully tragic conclusion that moved audiences to tears.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 47
Lou Diamond Phillips
Ritchie Valens
Danielle von Zerneck
Donna Ludwig
Elizabeth Peña
Rosie Morales
Rosanna DeSoto
Connie Valenzuela
Esai Morales
Bob Morales
Joe Pantoliano
Bob Keane
Marshall Crenshaw
Buddy Holly
Brian Setzer
Eddie Cochran
Daniel Valdez
Lelo
Howard Huntsberry
Jackie Wilson
Felipe Cantu
Curandero
Eddie Frias
Chino
Mike Moroff
Mexican Ed
Geoffrey Rivas
Rudy
Sam Anderson
Mr. Ludwig
Maggie Gwinn
Mrs. Ludwig
Jeffrey Alan Chandler
Alan Freed
Stephen Lee
Big Bopper
John Quade
Bartender
Lettie Ibarra
Vera
Crew
Write a Review
Rate each story beat:
