El Cantante Reviews

• A Good Movie That Was Virtually Ignored!!

  
  By A1ST1XBL6EQTBV on 2007-10-28
  Let me start off by stating that I thought this was a very good biopic about the legendary Hector Lavoe.
  Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony both did an excellent
  job in their portrayals of Lavoe and the fiery Puchi
  and the way it was shot, the music, etc. was very good too.
  I wish they could've been more detailed about the deaths
  of Hector himself of AIDS in 1993, Hector and Puchi's son,
  young Hector Jr., who was killed in a gun accident in 1987,
  as well as Puchi's own tragic death in 2002.
  That's my only sore spot.
  The real problem lies in whomever they chose to distribute
  and promote this film! When it came out it was in very limited
  release and virtually non-exsistent in secondary market theatres!--
  -Where I live (Charlotte, NC), where there is a very
  large latino community
  (many of which are northern transplants
  of Puerto Rican, Dominican & Cuban descent!)
  there was abosolutely nowhere you
  could go see this movie on it's opening weekend!
  The only way that I got to see it was through a bootleg,
  but this movie, if handled right, could have done much better!
  Even now, though it's being released to DVD on Tuesday
  October 30th, you haven't seen or heard any advertisements
  on TV about it's release!--WTF??--Anywayz, I hope that it gets
  the love that it deserves from the DVD buying/renting public,
  because it's a great story and well done I might add!
  I hope a film on the early days of salsa comes out
  about Tito Puente / Celia Cruz / Mongo Santamaria/ La Lupe, etc.
  that captures that time in the early 50's in NYC when all
  of this music was being created. A biopic about any one of
  those figures needs to be done. These stories need to be
  told and passed on to younger generations and people
  who may like salsa music, but never knew where it came from!
  This DVD Is Worth Buying!
  
  

• Good insight into Hector's world

  
  By A3HJ1DGV4LM5F2 on 2007-10-26
  My wife and I watched the movie recently and we both enjoyed it very much. The film's excellent, period! Anyone curious to learn about this unique salsa singer should purchase the DVD. Though I must confess the biographical nature of it was sad for me to see. Of course it's unavoidable as he led such a tragic life. Hector must've had many wonderfully fun moments during his short life, but you couldn't really extract that from watching the film.
  
  Having said that, I give high accolades to all involved in its production. Both Marc and Jennifer were excellent in their respective acting roles. I was particularly impressed with Jennifer and would agree with a commenter here that she should receive Oscar consideration.
  
  Side notes: I wish the relationships between Hector and the other musicians like Willy Colon would've been explored even further. And that the director would've allowed the actor playing Ruben Blades to finish singing the song El Cantante on acoustic guitar - very cool.
  
  

• A Tour de Force for Jennifer Lopez

  
  By A328S9RN3U5M68 on 2007-11-03
  EL CANTANTE missed in the theater run, perhaps because the public is growing weary of 'little person makes good, becomes a celebrity, and aborts a successful life in favor of drugs' stories. But now that the film is available for DVD viewing in the home, the public can appreciate the very fine qualities of this surprise work. And it may not be too late for an Oscar nod for Jennifer Lopez...
  
  The film is based on the life of Hector Lavoe (Marc Anthony), the Puerto Rican King of Salsa who gained fame and stardom in the 1970s and 1980s as not only a talented singer but also as a charismatic 'man of the people'. His rise to fame is related in a tremendously effective black and white late in life interview with Hector's wife Puchi (a brilliant role for Jennifer Lopez!) offering in flashback sequences the rise and fall of the King of Salsa, a life cut short by both drug abuse and AIDS. Much of the film is devoted to musical sequences that bristle with the excitement of Salsa music and Anthony carries his role as Lavoe very well. The cast is uniformly excellent with some fine new faces. Write/director Leon Ichaso lets the drama slip a bit in favor of the music, but still the performance of Jennifer Lopez as the smart but sleazy, tacky and wise Puchi is dynamite. The film is far more solid than expected: the opportunity for Lopez to demonstrate her talent is well worth watching. Grady Harp, November 07
  
  
  

• Save your money, this is NOT an accurate account of Hector Lavoe!!

  
  By on 2007-11-05
  If I could give this no stars, it would be too much!
  
  There is nothing accurate about this movie other than what has already happened to many artists out there. This movie completly destroys the Hector Lavoe mystic. He is portrayed as a junkie, p-whipped individual under the control of a floozy. The film did no justice to what Hector meant to many in Latin America. Elvis was a heavy drug user too, and we would have not been happy to see an Elvis movie that focused on his habit throughout the duration of his film, which is what the Cantante movie does. For those that do not know Hector, salsa and the Fania explosion of the 70's and 80's, this movie only says that latinos were druggies losers.
  
  Hector is a legend, bigger than life! He was our Latino Elvis. He had his demons and tragic moments in his life...he was human. This movie should have focused on the Lavoe career and what he did for the salsa movement. His songs are legendary and his voice inimitable! The movie never explored how Hector came to be, never explored the artistry of Willie Colon and the collaborations they did, their experimentation of music generas and their successes. This is the lamest "drug addict musician" film ever made!
  
  If you dare buy it, then resell it or use it as a coaster, like Gigli. If you are a J-Lo fan, you will be happy to know she took up more film time than Marc Anthony. They should have titled this movie " Puchie". As you can see, as of today, 50 used DVD's are for sale by the vendors and I won't be surprised to see more. Wait till it comes on bradcast TV, because there is nothing positive to see here.
  
  This movie does no justice to the view Anglo's have of Latinos; just like the movie Scarface, we are a bunch of junkies!
  
  Thanks for nothing, Leon Ichaso.
  
  

• a MUST SEE movie!!!

  
  By A31LY46TYWDD8V on 2007-09-15
  i must say at first i was kind of iffy about this movie. But this movie had me going from the begining until the end. The music and the roles that were played were EXCELLENT!!!! Jennifer and Marc played their roles to the fullest. Made me feel like i was part of the movie or wish i could part of that era.
  
  
• Lopez's "Oscar" Performance! Out Of This World!
  By ATUPZN6SZRZG2 on 2007-10-14
  I seen this movie three times in the theatre's and I was so shocked at the amazing acting skills Jennifer had to bring to life on screen such a strong powerful women who doesn't take crap from no one. Her acting in this flick was out of this world. I am a HUGE fan of Jennifer and have seen almost all of her movies but this movie comes 2nd to best of Selena. Marc also did such a wonderful job in bringing Hector to life on screen. The acting was dead on. I really hope that when oscar time comes around that she really gets credit for this role. Even before the release people had the label of "oscar" written all over it! Let's cross our fingers. In any case the acting skills of both where out of this world. This will be a great movie to own and watch over and over again.
  
  
• What a poorly made movie...
  By A3UQ42JCWM4I2S on 2007-11-12
  Although Mark Anthony's singing was superb, his acting was horrible. I found the dialogue, directing, and cinematography almost amateur. Like many entertainers Hector Lavoe was self-destructive and the movie conveyed that. Unfortunately, that's all you walked away with. Instead of endearing you to the man, his talent, and contribution to music you got more and more turned off by him as the movie progressed.
  
  This could have been such a better movie about an amazing talent and time in Latin music.
  
  
• Yo soy el Cantante porque lo mío es cantar
  By A16IM9MYTHCKYQ on 2008-02-14
  As a fan of Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Rueben Blades and Fania All Stars, I was interested in seeing this movie. The story is framed as an interview with Hector's widow, Puchi, and the story is told from her point of view. The interview scenes are filmed in black and white, but when we flash back to scenes of Hector's life the film is in vibrant color. The movie treats us to a lot of beautiful color, motion and music. It certainly has plenty of eye and ear candy.
  
  Jennifer Lopez gives a fine performance as she moves from a fun loving young girl to a mature woman who lives a life filled with drugs, disappointments and tragedy. Lopez has a lot to work with here as more dramatic time is devoted to Puchi than to Hector.
  
  Marc Anthony does well with the role which concentrates more on the singing than the drama. As expected, he does a marvelous job interpreting Lavoe's music, using the original Willie Colon arrangements. Although Marc Anthony looks about 30 pounds lighter than Hector Lavoe was, there are moments when Anthony's resemblance to Lavoe is downright eerie! It also surprised me how well Anthony manages to physically portray the age ranges as he transitions from a 16 year old kid singing with his dad in Puerto Rico, to an endearing young guy with big talent and a corny sense of humor, and finally to a man in his late 40's ravaged by booze, drugs, AIDS, and personal tragedies.
  
  There is a very nice cameo by Victor Manuelle playing the young Rueben Blades performing an acoustic version of the song, "El Cantante." Blades wrote the song as a tribute to Hector and presents it to him as a gift.
  
  Although I was familiar with Hector Lavoe's music, I didn't know anything about his personal life. I wish that the story was told a bit differently with more emphasis on other aspects of his life, and the emergence of the salsa genre. Instead, it becomes the story of yet another entertainer who is destroyed by alcohol and drugs - a story that was already old when the first version of "A Star is Born" was filmed in 1937. Even with the drug use, I thought Hector Lavoe's life could have provided material for a more meaningful story than this.
  
  There are nice extras on the DVD including two full length feature commentary tracks - one with director, Leon Ichaso - and one with the writers, David Darmstaeder and Todd Antony Bello. There is one deleted scene, "just say no to drugs." A feature called "the sound and the heat of 'El Cantante' " - kind of a "making of...". The feature package is rounded out with the theatrical trailer and sneak peeks of other films.
  
  The music and visuals are beautiful. I wish they had chosen to concentrate on more positive aspects of Lavoe's life. Recommended with reservations.
  
  
• Excellent Film
  By A1J6ZPHTRM5VIV on 2007-11-02
  I didn't know the story about Hector Lavoe. It film shows a human with a lot of talent but at the same time facing incredible challenges.
  
  Their songs really reflect a level of sentiment that cannot be described. I find myself compelled with the words used, how they matched each part of his life.
  
  I don't know why, but when I heard Marc singing, I feel much more pain in his voice than in the real Lavoe. The brief performance of Victor Manuelle as Ruben Blades is amazing. That song really touch you.
  
  I will really like to see a non latin person seeing this movie, how they relate to it...
  
  
• Excellent Film! Oscar worthy performances by Marc and Jen!!
  By A30KIMU6LXGVP on 2007-11-02
  I loved this movie! The acting, music and Marc's voice were amazing. I loved how they showed both the good and the bad of Hector.They showed Hector's demons and the pain he went through. As well as the family man and his great sense of humor. Marc did an amazing job as Hector. He got Hector's mannerisms and dancing down. Jennifer was great in the film as well.
  
  
• A pleasant surprised!
  By A3OHHFOE0J8HEO on 2007-11-03
  I gotta say it was a good film. I was expecting it to suck since all i kept hearing was how the film was not so good when it was in the movie theatres. Jennifer lopez did a great job playing Puchi! Marc anthony was OK as hector lavoe. i mean the film centered more around Puchi and JLO delivered the goods. Oscar worthy?? I can't really say but she was good. Perhaps golden globe worthy.
  One thing for sure is that this isn't Swept Away. lol
  
  I'd reccomend it for those who like salsa or latin music. I think this movie was overlooked when it was first released in the theatres since it didn't break any box office records. And that's an unfortunate thing! I'm guessing that most of Americans just didn't care for hector lavoe. BUT the soundtrack CD was number one for weeks on the latin billboard charts so the latin people are still there for the man with the voice.
  
  
  
  
• Compelling performances and tragically engaging
  By AGGK2X8P26FFY on 2007-11-07
  I was pleasantly surprised with nicely played performances by Jenny and Marc. Initially I thought they used their mega-star status to self-righteously misappropriate the portrayal of Hector's life. In retrospect I cannot think of a duo more deserving or appropriate to see this work through with high marks.
  
  For many this movie will strike a chord as the typical story of Puerto Rican tragedy for which apparently not even the biggest of Puerto Rican stars can escape. The biopic documents Hector's humble beginnings in Puerto Rico, then his meteoric rise as a Salsa icon, to his downfall (literally from a hotel balcony). The performances were both moving and compelling and the overall viewing experience leaving a lasting impression of El Cantante's life and contributions.
  
  I was disappointed that the movie only mentioned in passing Hector's "other" children which aside from his musical legacy are the heirs of Lavoe's history.
  
  
• Why all the bad press?
  By A1NEYRIO2PFX36 on 2007-11-09
  I expected this movie to be horrible based on all the bad reviews, but honestly I was interested the whole way through. I think there were places where the movie could have gone more in-depth to have more of a narrative arc. But, overall, I think Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony did a great job acting. I'm usually not a JLO fan, but she really proved her mettle in this film, as she did in Selena. Overall, I think they did much more right, than wrong in this film. It's a shame the reviews were so bad--the movie doesn't justify such bad reviews.
  
  
• Salsa Legend's Biopic
  By A3AOKQCH0YBZDS on 2007-11-17
  Watching "El Cantante" is my 1st experience at learning anything about Salsa superstar Hector Lavoe.... I'd never heard his name before or even any of his songs, so looked forward to watching this movie.
  
  "El Cantante" covers Lavoe's adult life from his rise to fame & his success as a singer though the point of view of his wife, Puchi. I think the acting, screenplay, music, and cinematography were all excellent. The only major complaint about this movies was how TERRIBLY SLOW it was, which surprised me.
  
  
• Why the high ratings? Why no Spanish translation?
  By AKT39LK1YS658 on 2007-12-08
  I'm a Puerto Rican who was raised in a sort of Puerto Rican ghetto yet these movie was not compelling at all. First of all it was more J-Ho than Marc- wasn't the movie about Hector? That and the ignorant accents used by Marc and JHo while they were impressive- that they could pull them off that is- annoyed me immensely- and I could see why there existence but they weren't really necessary. Also, the dialogue makes Puerto Ricans seem as if they have a lack of intelligence. This is a bad representation above all and is a negative portrayal of Hectors character- it might be accurate but it makes him seem deficient in many ways no wonder his and friends and family didn't support it. Some of you guys are too ethnocentric. Save ur money and buy this used.
  
  
  
  
  *This is an edit- I saved this movie to show it to my Grandma (I showed it to four other people also) and was shocked to discover that it didn't have Spanish dubbing. I was thus unable to show it to her for she wouldn't understand. This makes this movie even more of a shame. I would have rated it a 2 if I noticed this sooner. I have never watched a Hollywood released CD that didn't have a Spanish version- they're all usually English, Spanish and French. Its very ironic that this movie based on Hispanic personas, with Hispanic actors and depicting a story of a certain generation (many peole of this generation who are still alive today do not speak the English language) would lack this. Its also a shame that with Jho and Marc as the main attractions this deficit wasn't addressed. Tisk!
  
  
• Poor Movie. Should have listened to reviews
  By A3EX8ZFNVDHGPM on 2007-12-16
  I didn't know this man/singer and came away from the movie not caring to know him or caring about his life. The movie only showed us drugs and drink. Nothing that would endear us to him in spite of his personal problems.Lopez did a good job. I'll give here credit for that (she was a co producer of this movie) I wanted to stop in the middle of the DVD but persevered on thinking I was missing something that would be revealed. Nada....buy the sound track. Forget the DVD.
  
  
• How many times have we seen a drug addict singer biopic?
  By A1RNMPOY4XIAA8 on 2008-02-06
  Jenifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony's latest film El Cantante about the Hector Lavoe and the birth of Salsa, is an Oscar nominated-wannabe biopic mess of a film.
  
  
  The film follows the life of Puerto Rican singer Hector Lavoe, who came to New York in 1975 and became a mega star, starting the Salsa genre. Marc Anthony plays Hector and Jenifer Lopez his wife--Puchi. One of the many problems with this film was that Marc did not have a strong screen presence and his performance became overpowered by the amazing performance by Jenifer Lopez who did such a wonderful job I started thinking it was more about Hector's wife than about Hector.
  
  
  One effective part of the film I thoroughly enjoyed was how the story cut back and forth through an interview of Hector's wife looking back on Hector's life story. The interview was shot in black and white contrasting with the rich colors of the rest of the film.
  
  
  Despite this technique, the rest of the film was hard to follow. It seemed to follow a pre-made formula of music montage after music montage intercut with short scenes of dramatic acting, as if the director was following a manual of how to make a musician's biopic film. Also the use of fancy, rapid editing was way overused and after a while seemed only there to give it a sophisticated look.
  
  
  I love long films but this two hour movie had me checking my watch frequently. Overall it was a big disappointment and I felt the only thing that was good in the film was Jenifer Lopez's performance. Unfortunately even her Oscar worthy performance couldn't save this muddled film.
  
  
  
• El cantante sings!
  By A36ZFWPCZIU6V9 on 2008-05-31
  I loved this movie and I also love JLo and Marc Anthony! I think this movie was underrated. If you are truly interested in Hector Lavoe, you will love it. If you buy it just cause you want to see JLo and Marc, you probably won't like it. They are good in the movie but the story is what made it for me. Of course, it goes without saying, Marc Anthony's voice is supberb!
  
  
• Great Movie! Stand up Boriquas!!!
  By A1R204F1ZC1J2V on 2008-08-06
  Great movie, about a great man Mr. Hector Lavoe (Perez). I am a Nuyorican from Brooklyn with alot of family in the bronx, and this music was always in my family parties. Salsa as a Latina, is the music of my heart...it moves me whenever I hear it..
  At times I admit it may go a little slow..but overall I loved the cast and the story. And I am not a very big JLO fan....but I loved her in this movie as Hector's strong willed wife Puchi.. And it gave me a bit of history from back when Salsa first began and was the best..it made me proud.
  
  
• Lopez steals the show
  By AJMU8VVFKMZI4 on 2008-08-10
  Since the public is still trying to get over the over-exposure of JLO a few years ago, an injustice has occurred: Lopez put in one stunning performance in this movie and failed to get the recognition it deserved. I didn't know anything about Hector Lavoe before this film and sadly I still don't know that much about him. I agree that as a biopic, the film fails to get the audience to connect with its main star. In fact, it seems to go out of its way to show how much of a selfish jerk (keeping it P.G.) he was. I think it has a lot to do with Anthony always wearing sunglasses in the film. You have to show the movie audience your eyes. That's how we bond with people. The sunglasses allowed Marc Anthony to hide from the audience-and therefore gave us a sense that Anthony's performance was false. Lopez needs to give up the singing and stick to acting. Also, I do agree with some of the other reviewers has said about the direction and editing. I don't think they should have approached this film like a faux documentary. It quickly grew old and confusing. Still this is a movie worth seeing.
  
  
• El Cantante - A Great Film!!!
  By A1IGBWPQ3MLTJR on 2007-11-01
  Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony star and sizzle up the screen in the movie based on salsa legend Hector Lavoe!! Although I don't know much about Hector & Puchi this film makes you want to know more about the real Hector & Puchi!!
  
  I have to agree with what MUZIK4THAPEOPLE!! said in his/her review about how they wish that this film could have been a little more detailed about Hector's & Puchi's deaths. Other than that I have no other complaints.
  
  I love Jennifer Lopez movies and so when I seen the preview for this movie I knew I had to see it!! For this to be Marc Anthony's first film he did a fabulous job portraying Hector Lavoe and I just loved watching him in this film!!
  
  Jennifer Lopez did a fabulous job as well portraying Puchi I have never seen her take on this type of role before and she did a great job as well I'm never disappointed with her movies and I don't think you will be either!!
  
  This film was very moving and riveting and I would highly recommend this film to anyone who loves true stories!! I think you will find that this movie is worth buying - I certainly did!!!
  
  
• Great Film! Great Acting! Loved It!
  By A35MCYIK7MZ1VN on 2007-11-14
  I loved the film and acting by Marc Anthony and J. Lo. The music was fabulous. Thought they did a very credible portrayal - very convincing. Was very surprised to see what a skilled job Marc Anthony did as an actor. He deserves an award for his role in the super film. J. Lo was great as always - love her work whatever it is.
  
  
• Excellent! I loved it!!!
  By A1AMHXN6TP6DU3 on 2007-11-14
  In this movie, Jennifer Lopez actually acts. Marc Anthony---that voice---was unreal!!! I'll watch it over and over.
  
  
• Lavoe's Funeral
  By A1KMXY217KXP0D on 2007-11-15
  Viva LaVoe - Great Movie!!! Lavoe has a unique and great voice. For anyone that loves salsa, this is a must see. Viva La "Puchi" for being a real Puerto Rican woman and having everyone envy and hate u!!!! Picturehouse could have distributed this movie in many areas throughout the country but they didn't. Marc has the songs on his CD but I actually purchased the real "Lavoe CD's." No one has a voice like LaVoe. I wish they would have shown more of St. Cecilias Funeral in Manhattan. Lavoe's Funeral was a big party in Manhattan. Viva Lavoe & Puchi!!!!!!!!
  
  [...]
  
  
• Beautiful Music
  By A1S24VXZ8SG24Y on 2007-12-07
  I really enjoyed the movie. It was visually beautiful and the music was phenomenal. I didn't know anything about Marc Anthony, but I found out he has a wonderful voice. I actually purchased this movie for a friend who had lived in Puerto Rico in the early 70's. I thought she would enjoy the storyline as well as the music and scenery.
  
  
• J-Lo makes a come back with this one.
  By ABGHRMJIU8YMS on 2007-12-11
  After watching J-Lo's last few movies, ahem, Gigli just to name one, i have found that she has done some bad roles. I was skeptical to even watch this movie because i thought i was just another J-Flop, but i was surprised, this is her best acting role since Selena, she should be given an award for this movie. I am definitely going to buy this on DVD so i can watch it over and over.
  
  One thing i did not like about the movie was that they showed too much of Hector Lavoe's drug use and not enough on how he started salsa. Its like they skipped over a huge section of his life which was starting the salsa music, and went straight to his drug use days and in detail of him using the drugs. I guess they had to make it hollywood and put as much drug use in it as they possibly could. It was still overall a good movie.
  
  
• El Cantante -- best movie of the year.
  By A1O1LDQJD6WBLL on 2007-12-28
  First of all,I wasn't expecting to like EL CANTANTE at all.
  But after i watched it,i REALLY liked it.
  The script,the directing,especially acting... just wonderful. The story of famed Salsa singer Hector Lavoe (Marc Antony) is told from the perspective of his longtime wife Puchi (Jennifer Lopez).
  Add EL CANTANTE to your 'must see movies' list,cuz this movie is really good,you're not gonna be disappointed.
  
  
• Good Flick!
  By AYTYFQWAHU4MJ on 2008-01-01
  I had second thoughts about picking up this flick, but Im glad I did! I learned one thing and thats dont believe the media a.k.a. Hollywood critics. This was a good movie and with suprisingly good acting from Mark Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. Its a sad story of Hector Lavoe's pilgramage to the U.S. in search of a music carreer when he hooks up with partner and musician willie Colon and gets put on to Weed and Heroine. Ofcourse with prolonged use of drugs sends Lavoes life spiralling out of control. A good movie of Hector Lavoes life and strong.
  
  
• Excellent
  By AME1TW5QMFPPI on 2008-01-12
  For those that love Hector Lavoe, this is a great movie! Not only do they do well in telling his story, but Jennifer plays a great role in portraying Puchi. This movie is full of great salsa and a great story! Definitely recmmended for all the great salsa lovers out there!
  
  
• Muy Interesante, Pero Muy Mediano
  By A1O768433DY6B3 on 2008-01-22
  This film was very interesting, but very mediocore. It stars Jennifer Lopez as the late wife of the late singer from Puerto Rico, Hector Lavoe. It also stars Jlo's husband Marc Anthony as Lavoe.
  
  WARNING THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILERS
  
  For those of you who don't know who Hector Lavoe was, he was a singer from Puerto Rico. Might I also say that Marc Anthony played Hector very authentically, so realistically that I thought I was looking at the real Hector Lavoe. And Jlo does a very good job of playing Hector's hotheaded wife Puchi. So the acting wasn't bad.
  
  Well onto the film. At the beginging, Hector's dad threatens to disown him if he moves away to America. Well certianly enough, Hector chases after his dream of making it big in the land of the free. There he meets up with some people and they make a band together. And there he also meets the love of his life, Puchi. You had to admit it was really cute when Lavoe and Puchi were dancing together at the party. And then when he had a hangover, she sat right next to him telling him not to die on her birthday. Wow what a touching moment that was too.
  
  Well anyways, this story was told from Puchi's side of the story. She goes on to explain how Hector and her had troubling realitionship when it came to fighting, affairs with other girls, perhaps even men, drugs, Hector's sister getting into fights with Puchi. But non the less, they loved each other. All though I have to admit that I liked the part where Hector was supposted to get married to Puchi in the church and she went to his hotel room and they got married there instead. All I can say is I don't know how Hector handled a difficult woman like that, but he's a real trooper!
  
  It also tells about Hector's abuse of drugs, how his procrastanation lead to his manager quiting, his suicide attempt after he finds out that his son was accidently shot and killed by his best friend, and to the point where he finds out that he contracted AIDS in the 80s.
  
  Now onto the Spanish and subtitles in this film. Also might I add that Jlo didn't speak very much Spanish in the film, but I have to at least give Marc credit for speaking more Spanish then Jlo. Also since I know enough Spanish to get by, even without the subtitles I could understand most of the time what he was saying. But what about the folks who don't know! Uh oh! But the subtitles for me where very average when it came to this film. Although they did a cleaver job of translating the lyrics of the songs onto the screen.
  
  The music was very enjoyable to listen too.
  
  But one thing I do have to critise about the film, is where in the heck was Hector's childhood in the film?! And at times it could be slow, perhaps even hard to understand. But other then that it was a pretty ok film. It wasn't the best film in the world, but it's a decent biography on Lavoe and Puchi.
  
  I give credit to the actors and the director and producer for trying to make a decent, but overlooked film about Lavoe!
  
  Salud!
  
  
  
  

• El Cantante
• El Cantante: The Originals
• American Gangster (2-Disc Unrated Extended Edition)
• Bordertown
• A Mighty Heart