La Bamba 1987

Janet Maslin, New York Times: As Valens, Lou Diamond Phillips has a sweetness and sincerity that in no way diminish the toughness of his onstage persona. The role is blandly written, but Mr. Phillips gives Valens backbone. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: This is a sincere, well-acted movie about the short life of a minor rock 'n' roll star, and by the time it's over we almost have the feeling Valens would have been surprised not to have died in a crash. Read more

Nigel Floyd, Time Out: An enjoyable if slightly innocuous biopic based on the brief life and short-lived fame of teen rock'n'roll idol Richie Valens Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: La Bamba is engrossing throughout and boasts numerous fine performances. Read more

Hal Hinson, Washington Post: Basically, it's a load of corn -- an up-from-the-basement account of a pop comet -- but the movie has an energetic, almost naive spirit. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: Predictably, there isn't a Ritchie blemish in sight. But the circumstances of Valens' life seem to beg this golden portrait. Read more