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) (as David Darmstaedter)

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 Pagán	...	Papo (as Antone Pagan)
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:

drugs | alcohol | artist | singer | pot smoking | 

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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 [Japan] Official site [United States]

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 USA:

$3,202,035, 5 August 2007

Gross USA:

$7,556,004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nuyorican Productions, R-Caro Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the DVD commentary, the film was shot in only 33 days.

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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

Hector Lavoe: [after being hospitalized] I can't sing the same. I can't smile the same.

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Connections

Features El show de Iris Chacon (1972)

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Soundtracks

Obsession
Written by Michael Des Barres and Holly Knight
Performed by Animotion
Published by Mike Chapman Publishing Enterprises (ASCAP)
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

unspectacular biopic done with limited cinematic style

This is a biopic of salsa singer Héctor Lavoe (Marc Anthony) who lived from 1946 to 1993. His wife Puchi (Jennifer Lopez) recalls their lives together in 2002. Héctor arrives in NYC from Ponce, Puerto Rico in the early 60s. He quickly gets some success. He meets Puchi who comes from a family of drug dealers. He slowly falls into the world of drugs as his live falls apart.

Marc Anthony's performance comes alive whenever he's singing. He's only competent as an actor but at times, he's overwhelmed by the bigger personality of JLo. There isn't anything original in this biopic story. What's truly lacking is a good cinematic style. This is shot with a style more fitting to a good TV movie. It has way too many montages and the style lacks intensity. The music is great but this can't be just a concert movie.