I hadn't expected much out of El Cantante seeing as how JLo was in it (not crazy about her acting skills) but I have to admit I liked it. I wasn't familiar with who Hector Lavoe was until my ex made me listen to the "Who Killed Hector Lavoe" soundtrack repeatedly. Prior to hearing the soundtrack I was familiar with a couple of his songs, didn't necessarily know they were his, and definitely unaware of who he was.
In comparison to "Ray" or "Walk the Line" I think El Cantante could've been much better. I liked how JLo acted as the 2002 version of Puchi. I think the makeup made her more authentic. She did well, but really, how much of it was acting? We've seen her play roles where she doesn't have a need to go back to her Bronx roots and it almost seems like she can't relate to her character as much as she does with Puchi or Selena. I'm from the Bronx so the attitude and the cursing is typical based on where I grew up and the girls in my school. Hell, I'm not an actress but if someone asked me to play Puchi I think I'd do a decent job. All in all, I thought she did well.
Marc Anthony did well. I haven't had a chance to see old Hector Lavoe videos and such but I thought he did a good job. Based on other comments, I think people who don't know who Marc Anthony is (pre JLo of course) jump to conclusions in thinking he's a nobody that's attached to JLo. Marc Anthony is a megastar to urban Latin Americans. I grew up listening to him and love his music, his style, everything. The fact that he took on this project with his wife just shows that he's willing to reach to other talents he'd like to pursue.
I think the movie should've started answering basic questions about Hector--who was in before he moved to NY, why did he move, why did his father not approve of him, it shows how he entered the drug scene but unlike Ray/Walk the Line it doesn't show his progression into becoming a drug addict. He says in one scene he doesn't want to touch anything drug related anymore yet he's high nearly the entire film. I loved the music but doesn't answer how he became famous in the U.S., why salsa was such a hit at that time. I know he and Willie Colon were very good friends but I didn't get a sense that their characters were portrayed as such. I didn't think the cast was as cohesive as it could've been, with the exception of JLo and Marc. I went to a Hector Lavoe tribute concert back in November and I have to say that was a much better show than this movie. Not to say the movie's not worth it, but just could've been better. I think they highlighted his drug dependence too much without answering basic questions or showing who he was as a person. In the 2002 Puchi interview scene, she says that Hector was funny, but doesn't really show his humorous side as much. Every time it seemed that a meatier scene was about to develop (i.e., when they fought after their son's funeral), rather than let that carry on for a few more minutes the scene would switch to something else. So, overall, I like the music, love Hector's legacy even more, admire Puchi for her strength but left looking at my watch and wondering when it would be over. Hopefully they make another version that would satisfy the audience's curiosity.
In comparison to "Ray" or "Walk the Line" I think El Cantante could've been much better. I liked how JLo acted as the 2002 version of Puchi. I think the makeup made her more authentic. She did well, but really, how much of it was acting? We've seen her play roles where she doesn't have a need to go back to her Bronx roots and it almost seems like she can't relate to her character as much as she does with Puchi or Selena. I'm from the Bronx so the attitude and the cursing is typical based on where I grew up and the girls in my school. Hell, I'm not an actress but if someone asked me to play Puchi I think I'd do a decent job. All in all, I thought she did well.
Marc Anthony did well. I haven't had a chance to see old Hector Lavoe videos and such but I thought he did a good job. Based on other comments, I think people who don't know who Marc Anthony is (pre JLo of course) jump to conclusions in thinking he's a nobody that's attached to JLo. Marc Anthony is a megastar to urban Latin Americans. I grew up listening to him and love his music, his style, everything. The fact that he took on this project with his wife just shows that he's willing to reach to other talents he'd like to pursue.
I think the movie should've started answering basic questions about Hector--who was in before he moved to NY, why did he move, why did his father not approve of him, it shows how he entered the drug scene but unlike Ray/Walk the Line it doesn't show his progression into becoming a drug addict. He says in one scene he doesn't want to touch anything drug related anymore yet he's high nearly the entire film. I loved the music but doesn't answer how he became famous in the U.S., why salsa was such a hit at that time. I know he and Willie Colon were very good friends but I didn't get a sense that their characters were portrayed as such. I didn't think the cast was as cohesive as it could've been, with the exception of JLo and Marc. I went to a Hector Lavoe tribute concert back in November and I have to say that was a much better show than this movie. Not to say the movie's not worth it, but just could've been better. I think they highlighted his drug dependence too much without answering basic questions or showing who he was as a person. In the 2002 Puchi interview scene, she says that Hector was funny, but doesn't really show his humorous side as much. Every time it seemed that a meatier scene was about to develop (i.e., when they fought after their son's funeral), rather than let that carry on for a few more minutes the scene would switch to something else. So, overall, I like the music, love Hector's legacy even more, admire Puchi for her strength but left looking at my watch and wondering when it would be over. Hopefully they make another version that would satisfy the audience's curiosity.