The true story of Selena Quintanilla-Perez, a Texas-born Tejano singer who rose from cult status to performing at the Astrodome, as well as having chart topping albums on the Latin music charts.
A man makes his way from Mexico to L.A. in the 1920s, gets married and raises a big family there. The movie follows the children until they, too, get married and have children in the 1960s.
Director:
Gregory Nava
Stars:
Jimmy Smits,
Esai Morales,
Edward James Olmos
Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.
The film tells the story of the life of Mexican "Tejano" style singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez and the progress of her career resulting in her No. 1 US album.Written by
Anonymous
Almost the entire cast (Jennifer Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Jacob Vargas, Constance Marie, and Lupe Ontiveros) previously starred together in director Gregory Nava's film My Family (1995). See more »
Goofs
During the part where AB gets the bus stuck in a ditch, there's an error with consistency. When they drive away to get gas and during the times they're stranded in the middle of nowhere and hitching a ride to the nearest phone, it's daytime. When AB calls Abraham to tell him they got stuck, he and Marcella are already in bed asleep. See more »
The producers wish to thank The Quintanilla Family See more »
Alternate Versions
The TNT and Superstation versions include the following additions:
1. An extra scene with young Selena at her new school; the children in the classroom make fun of her name
2. A scene outside Selena's school; Selena is sititng down crying and her sister comes over to comfort her
3. A short shot of Selena's mother mopping on a balcony before Abraham is seen talking on the phone about Selena's talent
4. A scene where Selena's mom and dad are discussing how they cannot stay with their relatives much longer because it is so overcrowded
5. The shot of the Selena, her siblings and her cousins leaving for school is slightly longer and ends with a school bell ringing, which leads into the 1st school scene mentioned above.
6. A scene where Selena Y Los Dinos get the news that they will be signed to a record deal with EMI Latin
7. The song "No Me Queda Mas" that Selena sings after "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" and the song "Si Una Vez" that she sings at her final concert are both extended.
Jennifer Lopez proved that she was a high-class actress with this true story of the Tejano Superstar whose life was cut short by a disgruntled employee. Lopez shines and Edward James Olmos is super (as usual) as her tough-nosed father. The rest of the cast is adequate, but the show is shared between Lopez and Olmos. The screenplay is a little sappy, but fine overall. Director Gregory Nava is always focused and this keeps the film interesting throughout. A fine film all the way. 4 stars out of 5.
28 of 32 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful to you?
| Report this
Jennifer Lopez proved that she was a high-class actress with this true story of the Tejano Superstar whose life was cut short by a disgruntled employee. Lopez shines and Edward James Olmos is super (as usual) as her tough-nosed father. The rest of the cast is adequate, but the show is shared between Lopez and Olmos. The screenplay is a little sappy, but fine overall. Director Gregory Nava is always focused and this keeps the film interesting throughout. A fine film all the way. 4 stars out of 5.