El cantante (2006)

The life story of Hector Lavoe who started the salsa movement in 1975 and brought it to the United States.

Director:

Leon Ichaso

Writers:

Leon Ichaso (screenplay), David Darmstaeder (screenplay),

Stars:

Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, John Ortiz

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marc Anthony	...	Hector Lavoe
Jennifer Lopez	...	Puchi
John Ortiz	...	Willie Colon
Manny Perez	...	Eddie
Vincent Laresca	...	Ralph
Federico Castelluccio	...	Jerry Masucci
Nelson Vasquez	...	Johnny Pacheco
Antone Pagan	...	Papo
Romi Dias	...	Priscilla
Jared Everleth	...	Tito (4 yrs.)
Bernard Hernandez	...	Tito (7 yrs.)
Christopher Becerra	...	Tito (12-15 yrs.)
Andrea Navedo	...	Zaida
Ismael Miranda	...	Hector's Father
Tito Allen	...	Singer

Storyline

The rise and fall of salsa singer, Héctor Lavoe (1946-1993), as told from the perspective of his wife Puchi, who looks back from 2002. In the early 1960s, Héctor arrives in New York from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Success comes quickly. "The more he grew as an artist," Puchi says, "the more he sank as a person." It's a tale of talent - creating salsa with Willie Colón, with the Fania All Stars, and as a soloist - and a story of disintegration - fueled by drugs, alcohol, partying, and depression. Puchi's voice - proud and querulous - dominates off-stage as Héctor's does on.

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Plot Keywords:

1970s | dance | title spoken by character

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Taglines:

Based on the true story of the King of Salsa, Hector Lavoe.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for drug use, pervasive language and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [jp] Official site [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

3 August 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Who Killed Hector Lavoe?

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$3,202,035 (USA) (3 August 2007)

Gross:

$7,556,004 (USA) (28 September 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nuyorican Productions, R-Caro Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min 116 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title translates in English as "The Singer".

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Goofs

In the scene where Hector Perez signs his contract with Jerry Masucci, and is given the name Hector La Voe. Willie Colon is standing behind him. On the wall behind Willie is a framed album cover of "The Hustler", the second album they made together. At this point in the story they have not yet recorded together.

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Quotes

Puchi: Hector always knew he was gonna make it. It was like he was prepared for it.

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Connections

Referenced in The Sound and the Heat of El Cantante (2007)

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Soundtracks

"El Die De Mi Suerte"
Written by Willie Colón and Hector Lavoe
Performed by Marc Anthony
Published by Fania Music (BMI)

User Reviews

Well made movie

I must admit that I had my doubts about this film, but after I watched it I wanted to watch it again. The movie is about the life of Hector Lavoe (Mark Antony) from the point of view of his wife Puchi (Jennifer Lopez). I shows his personal life in those areas that affected her the most. While some people don't think much of the way the movie is presented I think is very realistic and well acted. For those of us who remember when Hector Lavoe was the main voice of the Salsa music this movie brings back lots of memories. As far as the acting go Jennifer actually becomes Puchi and Mark does very well as Hector. I give it an A-