La Bamba (1987)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

A lot's changed since 1987: Biopics are much more common (and darker). Chicano artists are more mainstream, and Lou Diamond Phillips is a household name. So we acknowledge "La Bamba' was groundbreaking ... and not very good.

Listener Mark C. commissioned this episode and the upcoming "American Me" to celebrate his heritage as a first-generation Hispanic-American. He noted the blockbuster soundtrack, janky lip-syncing and performances from Esai Morales, Joe Pantaliano and Elizabeth Pena. But Mark didn't prepare us for laughably large talismans, breakneck pacing and Ritchie Valens' "golly-gee" persona.

In this episode, the Shat Crew debates whether Ritchie's brother, Bob, got a fair shake in the movie, what really happened that night in Tijuana and how much racism is appropriate for this story. Gene spots a Mystical Mexican. Ash yearns for some Buddy Holly, and Dick wants more details about the plane crash and aftermath.

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