La Bamba (film)

La Bamba is a 1987 biographical film 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. Directed and written by Luis Valdez. Born to poverty. Destined for stardom. He lived the American Dream.taglines Ritchie Valens My mom reckons I'm going to be a star. And stars don't fall from the sky. [singing] Oh Donna, oh Donna. Oh Donna, oh Donna. I had a girl, Donna was her name. Since she left me, I've never been the same. Cause I love my girl, Donna oh where can you be? Donna Bob Morales [to Ritchie] You've been laid yet? I'm serious, I know what your problem is. Sperm pressure, it's scientific. You know, my old man wasn't around when I was born. [takes swig of vodka and grimaces] Why should I be? Donna Ludwig I will never let anyone get in the way of my feelings for you, ever again. Others Rosie Morales: [about Bob] He doesn't want a wife. He wants a love slave, one that he can kick around. Bob Keane [after changing Richard Valenzuela's name to Ritchie Valens]: Look, it could've been worse; you could have been "Ricky Zuela". Dialogue Ritchie Valens: Bob! Watch it! My guitar, man! Bob Morales: Sorry. I didn't' know that piece of junk was so important to you. Ritchie Valens: I even sleep with it. Bob Morales: Don't be such a dreamer, man. Ritchie Valens: My dreams are pure rock and roll. Ritchie Valens: [in Tijuana] This is like my high school prom. Bob Morales: Yeah. Except this prom puts out. Connie Valenzuela: How could you do this to Ritchie?! Bob Morales: To Ritchie? I did this to me, okay! Rosie Morales: That's my Bob, always thinking of others first. Bob Morales: Shut your goddamn mouth! Ritchie Valens: Hey man, don't take it out on Rosie, okay. Bob Morales: Ritchie, you don't understand man. You don't understand a goddamn thing! [walking away] What do you think, the whole fuckin' world revolves around you? Bob Morales: I've had one sip of beer and I have to admit it taste like piss to me. Want it? Ritchie Valens: Yeah. [takes a sip then puts the beer down] What's your problem man? Bob Morales: Old Steve, boy. He always said you'd be somebody and I bought it, too. If that's the way Steve wanted it that's the way it was going to be. Even after he told me he wasn't my dad. Once I knew the full score, I understood why he treated you just a little bit better than me. Okay? I said it, you know. I said, I'll just hang around for the leftovers, like a dog. That's how much I loved him. Like a goddamn dog. Ritchie Valens: Bob we don't have to talk about this right now. Bob Morales: No! Shit, no, I want to talk about this right now and you're gonna listen to me! Ritchie Valens: This is a crock of shit man! Bob Morales: No, he set you up, man, to conquer the world and didn't leave me shit! Ritchie Valens: Nobody told you to throw your life away man! I'm only sorry I didn't say something about you being drunk half the time. You did it to yourself! Bob Morales: Listen to you, coming in here like you own the whole goddamn country. To me you'll always be that little asshole who followed me around in the sticks. Ritchie Valens: Yeah, I followed you around man. I followed you around 'cause I thought you were somebody... then! Bob Morales: Look Rosie, you're not my wife. Quit being such a drag. What the shit's eating you anyway? Rosie Morales: I'm pregnant. [long pause] Well aren't you gonna say anything? Bob Morales: What's there to say? It's not my first. Or my last. Bob Keene: Wait Ritchie, look. I understand about friendship... but I'm being honest here. Not everyone in the world gets a shot at the "brass ring." You're gonna have to ask yourself what's more important, your friends... or your music. Ritchie Valens: [Walks back to table] My family... Ritchie Valens: Bob. Where's mom's new dress? Bob Morales: What new dress? Ritchie Valens: The one I asked you to buy her for Christmas. Bob Morales: Hey, you're the asshole with all the money, why don't you buy it yourself? [Just before their plane takes off. Buddy Holly looks back and sees a nervous Ritchie] Buddy Holly: Hey, Ritchie, relax, man. Everything's cool. Besides, the sky belongs to the stars, right? Taglines Born to poverty. Destined for stardom. He lived the American Dream. Talent made him a star, fate made him a legend. The true story of Ritchie Valens. Cast Lou Diamond Phillips - Ritchie Valens Esai Morales - Roberto "Bob" Morales (Ritchie's half-brother) Rosanna DeSoto - Connie Valenzuela (Ritchie's mother) Elizabeth Peña - Rosie Morales Danielle von Zerneck - Donna Ludwig Joe Pantoliano - Bob Keane Rick Dees - Ted Quillin Marshall Crenshaw - Buddy Holly Howard Huntsberry - Jackie Wilson Brian Setzer - Eddie Cochran Stephen Lee - The Big Bopper Sam Anderson - Mr. Ludwig (Donna's father) External links 0093378 La Bamba la_bamba La Bamba Category:1987 American films Category:American biographical films Category:American drama films Category:American musical films Category:United States National Film Registry films Category:Rock music films Category:Films about singers