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El cantante (2006)

R  |   |  Biography, Drama, Music  |  3 August 2007 (USA)
5.4
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Ratings: 5.4/10 from 3,961 users   Metascore: 46/100
Reviews: 44 user | 63 critic | 24 from Metacritic.com

The life story of Hector Lavoe who started the salsa movement in 1975 and brought it to the United States.

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(screenplay), (screenplay) (as David Darmstaedter) , 3 more credits »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Eddie
...
Ralph
...
...
...
Papo
...
Jared Everleth ...
Tito (4 yrs.)
Bernard Hernandez ...
Tito (7 yrs.)
Christopher Becerra ...
Tito (12-15 yrs.)
...
Zaida
Ismael Miranda ...
Hector's Father
Tito Allen ...
Singer
Edit

Storyline

The rise and fall of salsa singer, Héctor Lavoe (1946-1993), as told from the perspective of his wife Puchi, who looks back from 2002. In the early 1960s, Héctor arrives in New York from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Success comes quickly. "The more he grew as an artist," Puchi says, "the more he sank as a person." It's a tale of talent - creating salsa with Willie Colón, with the Fania All Stars, and as a soloist - and a story of disintegration - fueled by drugs, alcohol, partying, and depression. Puchi's voice - proud and querulous - dominates off-stage as Héctor's does on. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Based on the true story of the King of Salsa, Hector Lavoe. See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for drug use, pervasive language and some sexuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

3 August 2007 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Who Killed Hector Lavoe?  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$3,202,035 (USA) (3 August 2007)

Gross:

$7,556,004 (USA) (28 September 2007)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

During Filming a fire broke out in Jennifer Lopez's trailer though no-one was injured. See more »

Goofs

In the scene where Hector Perez signs his contract with Jerry Masucci, and is given the name Hector La Voe. Willie Colon is standing behind him. On the wall behind Willie is a framed album cover of "The Hustler", the second album they made together. At this point in the story they have not yet recorded together. See more »

Quotes

[from trailer]
Puchi: It was good. It was bad. It was beautiful.
See more »

Connections

Features El show de Iris Chacon (1972) See more »

Soundtracks

Slippery People
Written by David Byrne, Tina Weymouth (as Tina (Martina) Weymouth), Chris Frantz (as Christopher Frantz) and Jerry Harrison
Published by WB Music Corp. (ASCAP) obo itself and Index Music, Inc.
Performed by Talking Heads
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Licensed courtesy of EMI Records Ltd
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Salsa and JLo. What's not to like?
7 May 2008 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

Salsa. The term was coined in the 1970s by young musicians like Hector Lavoe, Larry Harlow, Ray Baretto, Willie Colon, who wanted a different name for the kind of music they were playing. The term "salsa" was then popularized by Izzy Sanabria, owner of the Latin New York magazine, and Jerry Massuci, owner of Fania Records. There is a huge debate over whether "salsa" originated in Cuba or Puerto Rico. I love Afro-Cuban music, so I tend to favor Cuba, but it really doesn't matter as there are so many styles - Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, LA, New York, Columbian, Mambo.

This film is a tribute to salsa and to Hector Lavoe - The Voice. Marc Anthony does a good job of impersonating Lavoe and giving us a look into his demons - alcohol, drugs, jealous fantasy. Jennifer Lopez plays his wife, Puchi, and we see the trials and tribulations of a marriage that was shaky at best.

Enjoy the music and enjoy JLo. What more do you want?


2 of 3 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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